Competition Information 

Overview

For the 2026 Convention, the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation intends to sponsor two competitions, the international competition for professionals of any age, and the young artist competition, for instrumentalists ages 18 to 25 and vocalists ages 18 to 30. The international competition will take place in two rounds, an initial recorded round, and a second live round. The young artist competition will take place entirely via video.

The international competition winner will perform a winner’s recital at the 2026 Convention and will serve as an ambassador of MPE for two years of managed concert engagements, with a stipend of $500 per engagement. All international competition finalists will receive the Claudette Sorell Award in the amount of $500.

The young artist competition winner will perform a 30 minute winner’s recital at the 2026 convention.

Eligibility

International Competition

  • Open to all instruments and voice types, no age limit

  • Mu Phi Epsilon dues paying member in good standing by date of application

Young Artist Competition

  • Open to all instruments and voice types

  • Instrumentalists must be ages 18-25, vocalists must be ages 18-30

  • Mu Phi Epsilon dues paying member in good standing by date of application

Applicants may enter EITHER the International Competition OR the Young Artist Competition in a single cycle, not BOTH. An individual may be named the International Competition and Young Artist winner only once, each.

Applicants must not be under contract with professional management at the time of the competition.

Audition Requirements

International Competition

Preliminary Round

  • Applicants will submit 30 minutes of live, unedited performance recordings demonstrating at least three different musical styles/genres/eras. The preliminary round recordings may be different from the proposed repertoire for the live round.

  • Applicants will also submit a written proposal detailing a community outreach event that the applicant could give while touring.

Live Round

  • Applicants will perform a 30-minute free choice program that best demonstrates their artistic abilities.  A minimum of 10 minutes of the program must be performed from memory.

  • Applicants will prepare spoken program notes delivered during the 30-minute program to demonstrate how they interact with an audience. 

  • Applicants will also have a 15-20 minute interview with the judges following the performance to gauge their ambassadorial abilities.

Young Artist Competition

  • Applicants will submit 15-30 minutes of live, unedited video recorded performance recordings demonstrating at least three different musical styles/genres/eras.

  • A minimum of one movement/piece must be performed from memory.

    Prizes 

    International Competition

    1st Prize 

    • Two years of managed concert engagements, with a stipend of $500 per engagement

    • 60-minute Winners Recital at the 2026 Convention

    • $3000 prize

    All international competition finalists will receive a $500 Claudette Sorel cash prize.

    Young Artist Competition

    1st Prize 

    • 30-minute Winner’s Recital at the 2026 Convention

    • $1000 prize

    2nd Prize

    • $500 prize

    3rd Prize

    • $250 prize