For 50 years Bay Chamber Concerts has had an annual prize program to recognize, encourage and reward young Maine music students who are serious in their study and performance of music. Auditions are held in late spring or early summer and are juried by a panel of professional musicians from around the country.

For more information or to apply, click here.

Prize Categories

The Eleanor Erdman and Diane Nixon Vocal Excellence Prize of $1000
Open to solo vocalists.
Age minimum: 12 years old, Age maximum: 25 years old.

The A. H. Chatfield, Jr. Piano Prize of $1000
Open to solo pianists.
Age minimum: 14 years old, Age maximum: 22 years old.

The Summer Music Woodwind Prize of $1000
Woodwind, solo.
Age minimum: 15 years old, Age maximum: 24 years old.

The Jean and Harvey Picker Senior Prize of $1000
Instrumental or vocal, solo.
Age minimum: 18 years old, Age maximum: 22 years old.

The Elsie Bixler Junior Prize of $1000
Instrumental, solo.
Age minimum: 12 years old, Age maximum: 17 years old.

Ezra Rachlin Fun with Music Prize for Excellence of $1000
Instrumental or vocal, solo.
Age minimum: 16 years old, Age maximum: 25 years old.

The Nathan E. Corning Jazz Prize of $1000
Instrumental or vocal, solo or group.
Age minimum: 15 years old, Age maximum: 23 years old.

The Kathie and Marc Johnson
Chamber Music Prize of $1000
Instrumental, group of 3-8 players
(shared prize).
Age maximum: 23 years old. Members of any applying group must be from Maine or have participated in a Maine musical experience (e.g., Next Generation); each group is limited to one non-Maine member.