Young Musicians Innovation Challenge

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

The Young Musicians Innovation Challenge gives high school musicians the unique opportunity to compete for the chance to launch innovative chamber music projects with mentorship and financial support from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Proposals are adjudicated on creativity, viability, sustainability, and ways in which projects address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Student teams in the tri-state area are invited to apply with their school music departments or afterschool program director using instructions below.

Past winning projects (see below) have included a podcast featuring interviews with chamber musicians and ensembles from diverse backgrounds; an app which educates listeners about the cultural heritage of chamber music composers and allows chamber musicians to share recordings with each other; and an in-person and digital concert series focusing on chamber works of underrepresented composers. 

2024 Challenge

Awardees

Community Music Project
Team Members: Jacob P., Daniel P., and Eliav S.
School: John L. Miller Great Neck North High School

Allnote Alliance
Team Members: Matthew H. and Natalie O.
School: The Juilliard School Preparatory Division

Honorable Mention

Music InReach
Team Members: Students: Talia E., Owen F., Daliah S., and Katherine Z.
School: John L. Miller Great Neck North High School

Melodies for All: Concerts for Neurodiversity
Team Members: James L. and Andrew J.
School: The Juilliard School Preparatory Division

Novel Perspectives in Chamber Music
Team Members: Dana C., Lincoln F., and Linda N.
School: The Juilliard School Preparatory Division

2023 Challenge

Awardees

Youth Chamber Initiative
Team Members: Alana C., Lindsey L.
School: Juilliard Pre-College

The Virtual Chamber Gallery
Team Members: Jack B., Talia E., Taj M., Kajal R., Maverick W.
School: John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School

Honorable Mention

Melodies Across
Team Members: Emma H., Emma K.
School: Juilliard Music Advancement Program

Teaching Music Improvisation Through Drama and Peer Leadership
Team Members: Shenqui C., Ethan D., Zach M., Mizuki N.
School: John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School

2022 Challenge

Awardees

Musiclusive
Team Members: Jillian C., Joy Y.
School: William A. Shine Great Neck South High School

Visioned by Sound
Team Members: Evan L., Karl L., Emily-Jane L., Andre T., Jeremy N., Eliana W.
Program: Scarsdale High School

Honorable Mention

ChamberDischord
Team Members: Brayden C., Sebastian L., Drew K.
School: William A. Shine Great Neck South High School

Harlem Harmony: Promoting Music Education for All
Team Members: Olivia O., Rebecca C.
Program: The Julliard School Preparatory Division

2021 Challenge

Awardees

Establishing a Chamber Music Educational Association
Team Members: Sahar T., Sara R., Ashley S., Maverick W., Christopher Y.
School: John L. Miller Great Neck North High School

Musical Diversity: Promoting the Chamber Music of Historically Underrepresented Composers and Their Cultural Heritage
Team Members: David V., Giah B., Isabella O., Ricardo M.
Program: Miami Music Project

Lobby Music Project
Team Members: Nina P., Scott L., Kevin K., Stephany B., Jason M.
School: John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School

The Whole Note Podcast: Voices of Chamber
Team Members: Amy B., Heather W.
Program: Juilliard Pre-College, The Juilliard School

Chamber Connect
Team Members: Rosanna G., Arianna A., Nancy S., Eli N., Yonatan E.
School: William A. Shine-Great Neck South High School
With: David Ren (New Hyde Park Memorial High School)

Honorable Mention

Global Cultural Representation Initiative
Team Members: Kevin Z., Xiaozhou X.
Program: Juilliard Pre-College, The Juilliard School

Project Connect
Team Members: Eugene Y., Cynthia T., Sophia B.
School: Stuyvesant High School