30 Sep 2026 AVS Orchestral Audition Competition – EXTENDED to Jan 1!
The American Viola Society announces the extension of the submission deadline for the 2026 AVS Festival Orchestral Audition Competition & Seminar to January 1, 2026!
While we have already received a number of strong entries for the competition, we encourage aspiring orchestral performers and students under age 29 to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to participate in a LIVE mock audition followed by a seminar on the audition process with leading orchestral violists, led by DJ Cheek, Principal Violist of the Forth Worth Symphony Orchestra.
All entrants will be evaluated anonymously and will receive comments from the preliminary round judges. Don’t miss this opportunity to get direct feedback on your playing from our esteemed panel of judges:
Ann Marie Brink – Former Associate Principal Viola, Dallas Symphony / DePaul University
Caroline Coade – Detroit Symphony (Henry and Patricia Nickol Chair) / University of Michigan
Dana Kelley – Assistant Principal Viola, National Symphony Orchestra / Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Up to 8 competitors will advance to the live round competition, to be held in person at the 2026 American Viola Society Festival on June 3 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Live round judges and seminar panelists will be announced in Spring 2026.
View the Orchestral Audition Competition & Seminar Guidelines here.
Please direct questions to 2026 AVS Festival Competitions Coordinator, Gabrielle Padilla Molina, at 2026competitions@americanviolasociety.org.
Extended Submission Deadline: January 1, 2026