Sinatra. Crosby. Cole. Hendrix. Armstrong. Grohl. What do all of these incredibly talented individuals have in common? No matter what year they launched their careers in, they all are still considered to be the best singers, trumpet players, and drummers of modern times. They became "the greats," but they all started at the beginning.



If your student is a violin virtuoso or has a passion for the piano, read on. The following list of competitions will give them a chance to showcase their talents and see how they measure up to their peers.

National YoungArts Foundation

National YoungArts Foundation is currently accepting submissions in classical music, musical theater, and more for their annual competition. Winners can receive up to $10,000 and lifetime professional mentorship.

Young adults aged 15-18 (or students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school) have until October 13th, 2017 to submit their work and complete the online application.

P.S. This competition is also a great opportunity for other artistic young ones, as the Foundation accepts submissions in cinematic arts, dance, photography, theater, and more.

The New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights

YouthPLAYS continuously publishes plays and musicals geared towards young actors and audiences for production in schools nationwide. Every year, the organization critiques unpublished one-act and longform plays and musicals from students under the age of 19 and assists in grooming them for publish and production.

The next deadline for their New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights is May 1st, 2018.

Plays and musicals must be in one-act form and run less than 40 minutes in length. Any genre and subject is eligible for online submission, but must be appropriate for school production.

Specific guidelines can be found on their website in early 2018.

"The President's Own" United States Marine Band

"The President's Own" United States Marine Band, alongside the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation holds their annual Concerto Competition for High School Musicians. The winner will play a solo with the band and receive a $2,500 scholarship from the Foundation. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to compete, with submissions due December 15th, 2017.

VSA at the Kennedy Center

Musicians with disabilities from far and wide compete annually in the VSA Arts International Young Soloists Program. Every year, the award is given to various musicians and musical ensembles from the United States and around the world.

All individuals under the age of 25 with disability are eligible to apply. For international applicants, any applicant under the age of 30 is eligible.

Applications are due in November, with the final due date being released in early fall. Stay tuned to their website for more information.

Thursday Musical

Thursday Musical's Young Artist Scholarship Competition is open to students in grades 7-12, as well as those in undergraduate or graduate programs in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. All vocalists and instrumentalists are eligible to compete. Online applications open on November 1st, 2017 and close on January 8th, 2018 at 7 p.m.

Is your student more along the lines of Monet, Picasso, or Fitzgerald? Take a look this list of art competitions instead!