As you read through this year’s application, please note:

• Concerto piano and strings applicants must select music from the 2027 Approved Repertoire List.
• Solo piano applicants have the option of selecting a piece from the existing solo piano repertoire, or submitting by November 24, 2026 any selection (composer, title, movement/s) via email to be added to the online piano solo repertoire for the applicant to select when completing the application.
• The performance time limit is 15 minutes.
• The application must be received through our online application portal before the application deadline of December 1, 2026.
• Application fees must be paid before the application will be considered for the competition.

A total of $20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded.
First prize in the piano concerto and strings divisions and in the piano solo division is $2,500.00.
The winners of the piano and strings concerto division are eligible for a concerto performance opportunity with the New Mexico Philharmonic.
Because the New Mexico Philharmonic performance requires a concerto, the piano solo division winner is not eligible to participate.
Second prize in each division is $1,500.00.
Third prize in each division is $1,000.00.
Rising Star in each division is $500.00
Additional prizes may be available.

Competition Guidelines

Eligibility

• New Mexico resident or student attending a NM school.
• Applicants must be at least 10 years of age but no older than 21 as of the application deadline.
• Former first-place winners of the JMYAC are not eligible to compete in the same division in which they won. First-place winners may compete in another division, i.e., a concerto piano winner can compete in the strings or piano solo division.

Application & Audition

• Completed application form with $75.00 entry fee, payable to JMYAC.
• Teacher recommendation by December 8, 2026.
• For concerto piano and strings applicants, ONE movement of a concerto piece with or without an accompanist selected from the 2027 approved repertoire list. It must be written originally for that instrument and be performed from memory at the competition, with piano accompaniment.
• For solo piano applicants, ONE movement of a solo piece either selected from the 2027 current published solo piano repertoire or any other piece meeting the performance time requirement and submitted to the competition no later than Nov 24, 2026 is acceptable. It must be performed from memory at the competition.
• Audition must include a segment of the concerto or solo selected for the competition and may also include other compositions the applicant desires. The audition video must be a single YouTube hosted video (Upload your audition video to YouTube and select 'unlisted' as the Visibility option.). You will provide the YouTube link to your audition as part of submitting your application.
• Biographical profile (150-200 words) must be comprehensive and suitable for publication.
• A high-resolution head shot photograph in .jpg format. Your photograph will be used for print and social media. Cell phone and class pictures will not be accepted. Please upload your photo with your application.

Entry deadline for all materials is December 1, 2026.
All applicants will receive notification via e-mail on or before December 12, 2026.

Awards

• First- Second- and Third-Place cash awards will be given in three divisions.
• Additional awards may be available.

Judging

• A qualified Auditions committee will evaluate applications for acceptance into the competition.
• Evaluations are based on application, audition, applicant's biography and teacher recommendation.
• To avoid potential conflict, all competition judges are from outside New Mexico.
• Judges' decisions are final.
• Written comments from judges will be available to contestants within 2 weeks.

Agreement

Applicants understand:

• The highest quality performance is expected.
• For concerto piano and strings contestants, one memorized movement of an approved standard repertoire concerto is required.
• Piano solo contestants can perform any selection from the current posted solo repertoire, or any other piece meeting the performance time requirement and submitted to the competition no later than Nov 24, 2026 is acceptable.
• The Competition primarily communicates via email, occasionally by text message, and rarely by phone. It is the responsibility of the applicant to monitor their email for communications related to the communications and to respond as requested.
• An acceptance email will be sent by December 12, 2026.
• One unmarked score (no photocopy) must be provided for the judges when you checkin for the competition. It will be returned to you at the conclusion of the competition. For contestants playing a concerto, both parts of the score are required—your part and the accompanist’s part.
• One marked-up photocopy (It will be shredded after the competition) of the score must be provided for the livestream production team via email at least seven (7) days before the competition, so the production team can follow the performance for the live stream audience. This copy must clearly indicate beginning and ending points, especially when portions of the score will be edited out of the performance.
• First-place winners in piano and strings concerto divisions must agree to perform with the New Mexico Philharmonic. First-place winner in the piano solo division must agree to play at the Music Guild of New Mexico’s Spring 2027 luncheon. All dates TBA.
• Concerto winners must also be available for all New Mexico Philharmonic rehearsals prior to the winners’ concert. Dates TBA.
• Concert attire is required for the competition, awards ceremony, photographs and performance with the New Mexico Philharmonic.
  • Young women should wear a modest knee-length or longer dress with shoes that allow for comfortable use of the pedals. If your hair is long, please tie it off your face.
  • Young men should wear dress pants with a white dress shirt. A suit with a tie is also acceptable.
• Applicants are responsible for all expenses and must provide their own accompanist. The accompanist should be selected early in the process to allow for practice sessions and not at the last minute. Parents and teachers should be involved in selecting the best accompanist for the student. The accompanist can make or break a performance.
• Applicants must be available for photographs on the day of the competition, publicity appearances and interviews during the week of the competition.

Authorization

• Entry in this competition constitutes the contestant's authorization for authorized representatives of the Music Guild of New Mexico’s Jackie McGehee Young Artists’ Competition, the Music Guild of New Mexico, and the New Mexico Philharmonic to use their name, photographs, and biographical profile for promotion and publicity purposes in publications, websites, and social media as well authorize the broadcast of their live competition performance via YouTube Live and provide an on-demand recorded copy of their performance via The Jackie McGehee Young Artists' Competition YouTube channel.