The Youth Showcase is a recital by audition for young musicians age 8-18. These recitals have become a very popular performance opportunity for young musicians, displaying some of the most astonishing and accomplished young musicians on the Central Coast. As stated by Joe Payne of the Santa Maria Sun newspaper, “the next generation of orchestra musicians and soloists are all around us, dutifully studying their instruments day to day.” The Annual Youth Showcase gives a taste of what that future generation of musicians might look like. Clearly, there is a bright future for ‘Classical’ music on the Central Coast and we look forward to many remarkable performances from gifted young musicians.
Youth Showcase 2026-27
Thirteenth Annual Youth Showcase Auditions
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society is announcing auditions for the Thirteenth Annual Youth Showcase. The auditions and recital will take place in Shepard Hall at the Santa Maria Public Library, 421 South McClelland Street in Santa Maria.
Application Due Date: Must be postmarked by Monday December 4, 2026
Auditions: Saturday, January 2, 2027, 1:30pm – 4:15pm.
Recital: Saturday January 16, 2027, 3pm.
“Many young musicians now are performing at remarkably sophisticated levels: 8-year-olds playing Mozart Sonatas, 10-year-olds playing complicated works of Chopin, and young teenagers playing with the kind of virtuosity to which Liszt aspired.”
-Lynne Garrett, Santa Maria Philharmonic Society
“Thankfully, the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society understands that the next generation of orchestra musicians and soloistsare all around us, dutifully studying their instruments day to day.”
-Joe Payne, Managing Editor, Santa Maria Sun
Youth Showcase January 2026
Youth Showcase January 2025
Youth Showcase January 2024
Youth Showcase October 2022
Youth Showcase 2018
Youth Showcase 2016
Youth Showcase 2015
Youth Showcase 2014
