Young musicians
Students through eighth grade.
Published Award
$750
The John Leatherwood Concerto Competition gives emerging musicians the opportunity to perform with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra.
Each year, the John Leatherwood Concerto Competition celebrates talented young instrumentalists and keyboard performers from eligible Northwest Florida counties.
Selected winners appear as featured soloists with the NFSO in its annual Stars of Tomorrow concert on the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Main Stage. The competition is supported by the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Guild and designated donations.
The current public competition page still links to the 2025–26 application and deadlines. For the next competition cycle and current application materials, contact Competition Director Lynne Fehrenbach before submitting an application or payment.
The division information and awards below reflect the most recently published competition rules.
Students through eighth grade.
Students in grades 9 through 12.
Full-time undergraduate students meeting the age and residency requirements in the published rules.
Competition eligibility includes orchestral instruments and keyboard. Applicants, or their parents if dependent, must maintain legal residence in one of the eligible Florida counties specified in the competition rules.
Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Nassau, Okaloosa, Putnam, Santa Rosa, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Walton and Washington.
The competition process includes repertoire preparation, application materials and a live final round for selected musicians.
Review Previous Competition RulesPrepare an eligible movement or work and confirm repertoire requirements with the competition director.
Previous competition rules required a working YouTube link featuring the applicant's selected movement.
Request the current application packet and deadline before submitting materials or an application fee.
Selected finalists perform their prepared works live before the competition judges.
These dates are from the previous competition cycle and illustrate the general progression from application through the winners' performance.
For current deadlines, repertoire questions, application information and competition requirements, contact Lynne Fehrenbach.
The John Leatherwood Concerto Competition is supported by the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Guild, Northwest Florida State College and designated donations.
Support the NFSOExplore the concert season and discover the young artists featured in Stars of Tomorrow.