2026 Competition Announcement

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center is proud to announce the Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Contest for 2026

Registration Deadline: January 30, 2026

The Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition has a long history of promoting musically talented student soloists from northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Celebrating its 64th year, this competition is dedicated to nurturing the love of music and the joy of active participation, offering a platform for young musicians to showcase their skills on acoustic instruments and voice. It’s a wonderful opportunity for aspiring musicians to gain recognition as they continue to develop their musical pursuits.

There are two divisions: Open Division and Junior Division.
The Open Division is the full competition that culminates in the scholarship finalist recital. It is open to students age 8 to 18. The Junior Division is only for age 8 to 12, and does not involve the scholarship finalist recital. Junior Division participants benefit from by receiving feedback from our remote judges and are eligible for Junior Division awards in their instrument category.

To enter either the Open Division or the Junior Division:
1. Read the Official Rules Document (see link below).
2. Complete the registration form on this page and pay the entry fee.
3. Record a video of your performance of a memorized musical work.
4. Upload this mp4 recording and a PDF scan of the score of the work performed, with measures numbered.

Your recorded performance will be viewed and heard by the remote judge for your instrument category, who then writes an evaluation of your performance and makes recommendations for both division awards and scholarship finalists.

Awards
For the Open Division, remote judges will recommend up to six scholarship finalists: two from Piano, two from Strings, one from Vocal, and one from Other category. All scholarship finalists will reveive scholarship awards! These finalists will perform at the Mendelssohn auditorium for a live audience including a panel of three finalist judges who will determine First, Second, and Third Place scholarship awards; other finalists will receive Honorable Mention awards.

First Place Award $1,000
Second Place Award $750
Third Place Award $500
Honorable Mention Award $300

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday, January 30
Application Deadline
Application material, videos and fees must be received by MPAC.

All entry materials will be sent to remote judges, who will make performance comments and award decisions.

Monday, February 23
Students will be notified
All contestants will be notified.

Saturday, March 21 at 2:00 pm
Finalist Recital
Scholarship finalists will perform for a live audience and a panel of judges at Mendelssohn Auditorium. All Division and Category awards will be announced and distributed.

OFFICIAL RULES  HERE

If you have any questions, please call the office at 815-964-9713.

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