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

• Music must be selected from the 2026 Approved Repertoire List.
• Select one concerto from the Strings Repertoire or one Concerto or one Solo from the Piano Repertoires (a movement of a sonata or portion of a suite).
• Performance time limit is 15 minutes.
• The application must be received via the application portal or by mail on or before the application deadline of December 1, 2024.

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 symphony concerto performance opportunity with the New Mexico Philharmonic. The winner in the piano solo division is not eligible for the NM Philharmonic performance because it requires the performance of a concerto.
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.
• Applicant 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 can 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.
• Biographical profile (150-200 words) must be comprehensive and suitable for publication.
• Teacher recommendation by December 8, 2024.
• ONE movement of a concerto or solo piece with or without an accompanist selected from the attached 2026 approved repertoire list. It must be written originally for that instrument and be performed from memory at the competition, with piano accompaniment for concertos.
• Audition must include a segment of the selected concerto or solo from the 2026 repertoire list and may also include other compositions the applicant desires. Upload your audition with your application.
• 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, 2025.
All applicants will receive notification via e-mail on or before December 12, 2025.

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:

• A letter of acceptance will be e-mailed by December 12, 2025.
• One memorized movement of an approved standard repertoire concerto or solo is required.
• One unmarked score (no photocopy) must be provided for the judges. 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 photocopy of the score (piano accompaniment and piano solo for concerto competitors) must be provided for the livestream production team. It will be shredded after the competition. This copy must clearly indicate beginning and ending points especially when portions of the score will be edited out of the performance.
• The highest quality performance is expected.
• 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 2026 luncheon. All dates TBA.
• Winners must also be available for all New Mexico Philharmonic rehearsals for 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 tie is also acceptable.
• Applicant is responsible for all expenses and must provide 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.
• Applicant 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.