Competition Information

The Khuner Young Artist Competition, open to Bay Area string, woodwind, brass, harp and percussion players, has been a Bay Area showpiece for over 30 years. Many gifted musicians, age 18 or younger, audition every year for an exceptional opportunity to perform with a full symphony orchestra before a live and appreciative audience. The Competition Winner will gain the valuable experience of working with our Music Director, Eric Hansen, and will be featured on Prometheus Symphony’s website, concert program and in concert publicity. The Winner will receive a professional recording of the performance, a framed certificate, and a $300 award. Even the audition itself is a valuable educational experience for all who apply, as auditioning is a significant aspect of aspiring musicians’ future careers.

Each season, we are faced with the challenge of naming just one (sometimes we just can’t, so we have co-winners!) of the exceptionally talented musicians as the competition winner. Our Previous Winners page has the program biographies and updates on their careers as musicians throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Applicants must be 18 or younger on the audition date and ready to play from memory a complete concerto or concert work. Applicants must be able to perform at Prometheus’s concert in Oakland (usually the last Sunday afternoon in January), and must be available to attend Monday evening rehearsals in Oakland. Contestants from prior seasons are urged to audition again, as our winners have often auditioned more than once.