Since its founding in 1964, the Rochester Music Guild has sponsored an annual Young Musicians Scholarship Competition. This annual competition, held each spring, has been a source of motivation and inspiration for countless musicians from the SE Minnesota area and awards approximately $10,000 annually to young musicians. The Music Guild’s goal is to expand the passion for classical music through dynamic competition and compelling live performance. The competition serves as a platform for music excellence and aims to develop the performing skills of musicians in the Rochester area, to improve musical standards and to identify potential music talents by providing the opportunity for young musicians to perform in a competitive situation. Three cash awards are given in each age and instrument category. These awards are to be used for further musical education.

2026 Rochester Music Guild Scholarship Competition
The 2026 Rochester Music Guild Competition will be comprised of a Junior Division competition with Strings, Brass/Woodwinds, and Piano categories and a Senior Division competition for Strings, Brass/Woodwinds, Voice, and Piano.

• November 2025: Information and rules will be available.
• January 5 through March 5, 2026: Applications will be accepted. Please complete your application and submit your payment.
• April 18, 2026: Competition at Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester.
• April 19, 2026: Winners’ Recital at Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester.

Questions or comments regarding the Scholarship Competition should be sent to rochestermusicguildsc@gmail.com.

Winners’ Recital
Each winner will be required to perform at the Winners’ Recital on April 19, 2026. This is a public event celebrating the accomplishments of all winners.

You can view videos of past recitals on the RMG YouTube Pages here.