Southwestern Youth Music Festival

Southwestern Youth Music Festival The Southwestern Youth Music Festival is a music competition in Southern CA that is offered once a year and runs two weekends (five days) in the Summer.

The Southwestern Youth Music Festival is a music competition in Southern California that is offered once a year and runs two weekends (five days) in the Summer, usually in mid-to-late July and/or early August. Only teachers who are members of the Southwestern Youth Music Festival (SYMF) may enter students. There are categories for piano, strings (violin, viola and cello) and winds (flute, clarinet

). Categories vary from solo works, duets, ensembles and many are set up to accomodate the age and level of the student (through age 19). The Young Musicians category gives the first place winner the opportunity to perform with the Festival Orchestra conducted by Dr. Frances Steiner. Complete information is in the Rules and Regulations booklet (contact us for purchasing information). SYMF offers, through its competitive programs, incentive to study music:

First Place winners in Young Pianist, Young Violinist/Violist, Young Flutist/Clarinetist and Young Cellist categories may be invited to appear as soloists with our Festival Orchestra under Dr. Frances Steiner. Piano Open categories for Concerto, Classic Complete Work, Solo, American, Baroque, Chopin, Duo/Duet, Ensemble and Young Chamber Musician. Piano Qualified categories for Concerto, Classic Complete Work, Solo, American, Baroque, Chopin, Duet, Duo/Duet and Ensemble. Continuing competitive opportunities for both Piano Open and Piano Qualified entrants performing music written by composers born in Latin America. Strings categories for Solo, Baroque, American, Duet, Chamber Music. Wind categories for Solo, Baroque, American, Duet, Chamber Music.

1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Place trophies with personalized nameplates. Paid job opportunities as Room Captains for students age 16 and older.

Day 4 of SYMF (July 19)
07/21/2026

Day 4 of SYMF (July 19)

Day 3 of SYMF (July 18)
07/21/2026

Day 3 of SYMF (July 18)

JOIN US!SYMF Young Musicians Concerto Winners Concertwith the SYMF Festival Orchestra • Fung Ho, ConductorSunday, July 1...
07/19/2026

JOIN US!
SYMF Young Musicians Concerto Winners Concert
with the SYMF Festival Orchestra • Fung Ho, Conductor

Sunday, July 19, 2026, 3:00pm
Daniel Recital Hall (A100)

All are welcome and admission is free.
Seating on a first come, first served basis.

JOIN US!SYMF Piano Masterclass with Robert Thieshttps://robertthiespianist.com/about/Saturday, July 18, 2026, 3:00pmDani...
07/18/2026

JOIN US!
SYMF Piano Masterclass with Robert Thies
https://robertthiespianist.com/about/

Saturday, July 18, 2026, 3:00pm
Daniel Recital Hall (A100)

All are welcome and admission is free.
Seating on a first come, first served basis.

Day 2 of SYMF 🎶🎶
07/15/2026

Day 2 of SYMF 🎶🎶

Day 1 of SYMF 🎶🎶
07/15/2026

Day 1 of SYMF 🎶🎶

SYMF 2026 Summer Festival Announcement:
07/11/2026

SYMF 2026 Summer Festival Announcement:

07/11/2026

WELCOME to the 2026 Southwestern Youth Music Festival!

PLEASE NOTE:
SYMF is using an online platform called Whova for our Festival.
There is NO INVITATION CODE for the SYMF Whova event app. Detailed instructions have been emailed to all registered teachers and parents of participating students.

To successfully access your event and view notifications, please sign into the Whova App or Web Portal using the exact email address you used to register for SYMF. (Email addresses used to register for SYMF will be the ONLY email addresses allowed access to the SYMF Whova app.)

Already used the Whova app in the past? Double-check that it is installed on your phone, and log in using your existing account email and password.

05/06/2026

REMINDERS: Teacher Membership Deadlines

May 15: Last day for TEACHERS to pay 2026 Membership Dues with a $20 Late Fee

May 15: Last day for TEACHERS to enter students in the 2026 Festival (teachers must use the online Student Entry Form) without the $10 late fee per entry

May 22: Absolute last day to enter students

05/06/2026

NEW for 2026!

Piano Masterclass
Entrants will compete July 11–12 for the opportunity to perform in a masterclass with an outstanding master teacher/performer on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the CSULB Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Pianist Robert Thies will be this year’s master teacher; up to four performers may be selected. The masterclass will be free to the public.

Music in Art
Also new this year is the Music in Art category. Students will submit a photo of a music inspired artwork (limited to a drawing or painting) they have created. They will be judged by a panel of local artists and up to four winners’ artworks will be displayed during the SYMF Competition at the CSULB Bob Cole Conservatory of Music.

Address

Los Angeles, CA

Telephone

(310) 543-9100

Website

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