Frances Walton Competition 2026, US
Seattle (WA), US
Deadline: March 1st, 2026
For forty years, the Frances Walton Competition has provided a unique opportunity for Classical musicians ages 20 to 35 to audition for an award package including finalist awards and $3500 to each winning musician and ensemble member; a live performance on Classical KING-FM 98.1, one of the premier Classical music stations in the U.S.
Divisions:
Solo Division Categories: Brass, Marimba, Piano, Recorder, Strings, Voice, Woodwinds
Chamber Ensemble Division
Schedule:
- May 1st, 2026 = Finalists announced
- May 30th, 2026 = 2026 Frances Walton Competition Finals and Winners Concert (Seattle, WA)
Application Fees:
Soloist: $125
Chamber Music Ensemble: $250
Prizes:
Finalists receive:
- A Finalist Award of $250 for EACH musician, including each member of ensembles
- Professional photography and video of their competition performance
- Winners (two solo and one ensemble) receive:
- $3,500 for each solo winner
- $3,500 for EACH member of the winning ensemble ($7000 for duos; $10,500 for trios; $14,000 for quartets; $17,500 for quintets)
- Professional photography and video of the Winners’ Concert
- Week-long residency tours to be held in Washington State in September 2026, including outreach performances to public schools K-12 and public concerts
- Chamber Music Ensemble winners tour: September 11-18, 2026
- Solo winners tour: September 18-25, 2026
- Live performance on Classical KING 98.1, the Pacific Northwest’s premier Classical radio station.
