Applications for the 2018 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Now Open

By SBO+ Staff

Yamaha has announced that the application process for the 2018 Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) competition is now open.

Between now and January 8, 2018, American musicians between the ages of 18 and 22 are invited to apply to the prestigious program, which has been recognizing outstanding young musicians from the worlds of classical, jazz and contemporary music for three decades.

Winners of the 2018 competition will be invited to attend an all-expense-paid trip to the YYPA Celebration Weekend at the Music for All Summer Symposium.

During the weekend, they will have the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of students and music educators, participate in workshops designed to launch a professional music career, and receive national press coverage along with a recording and photos of the live performance. Winners will also enjoy services and communication with Yamaha Artist Relations.

“The YYPA Program is one music competition where the prizes can last a lifetime,” said John Wittmann, director, artist relations and education, Yamaha Artist Services Indianapolis. “Since the program began in 1988, Yamaha has set young artists on track toward long, successful careers as both performers and educators.”

“I absolutely loved my time as a 2008 YYPA winner,” added Conrad Jones, a principal trumpet of the Indianapolis Symphony. “Soloing for such a large and enthusiastic audience really helped me develop a sense of what it takes to handle the ‘hot seat.’ I’m also very grateful for my relationship with Yamaha. I still rely on my Yamaha instruments on a weekly basis with the ISO!”

“The YYPA weekend was truly, and unexpectedly, the most inspiring three days I’ve ever had,” said Patrick Bartley, a Grammy-nominated saxophonist, composer and bandleader who won YYPA’s saxophone category in 2015. “Coming into it, you think it’s just going to be another ‘camp’-like experience with some good players. But then you immediately realize just how serious everyone at Yamaha is about wanting to see you grow and flourish. They’re like family. By the end of the weekend, I felt mentally prepared to build my career. People like John Wittmann and Jeff Coffin really helped me harness and internalize tools for being clear, confident and motivated while moving through this whole process!”

Applications will be considered for piccolo, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, mallet or concert percussion, drums, violin, viola, cello, upright bass and piano.

“We want as many students as possible to get involved,” Wittmann added. “Of course, it’s always hard to choose just 10 winners from so many gifted applicants, but we’ve seen that even the act of preparing their applications helps young musicians focus on their talent and their careers. For all who enter, the YYPA competition can be a step toward a promising musical future.”