APPLICATION: Key to Change 2026 Solo String Festival

STUDENT INFORMATION

Student's First Name

Student's Last Name

Please select the most applicable answer.

Please note: In order to participate in the 2026 Solo String Festival, the Student must be actively enrolled in lessons.

Student's T-Shirt Size (Adult XS-2XL)

Student's Grade

Student's School

Other School

Student's Date of Birth

Student's Gender

Household's Preferred Email

Household's Preferred Email Type

Household Phone Number

Household Preferred Phone

PRIZES

There are ample prizes for participating students, from gift certificates, free instrument rentals, and media appearances to new strings, shoulder rests, rosin, and free bow re-hairs. The full description of the competitive divisions' prizes is available at: https://www.keytochangestudio.org/solo-string-festival/.

DIVISIONS

Select the division in which the student will participate or compete. Please read the descriptions carefully before selecting your division, ensuring that the student is enrolled in the correct class to qualify for a division.

Non-Competitive Division

Grades:

6th-12th Who:

Students enrolled in group lessons will perform with their class. Students who are enrolled in private lessons may choose to either perform a solo or may perform with a group class (if they are preparing the same repertoire). Time limit to perform: A total of up to 5 minutes

Repertoire requirement:

Scales, etudes, short pieces, solos, chamber music and orchestra music are all permitted. Students may perform with sheet music.

Name of piece or scale:

(Optional) Name(s) of additional piece(s):

If preforming with friends, please list their names here:

Debut Competitive Division

Grades:

6th-12th Who:

Students currently enrolled at Key to Change, in either group or private lessons. Time limit to perform: A total of up to 10 minutes

Repertoire requirement:

Competitors must perform a major or minor scale and two contrasting pieces. Memorization is strongly encouraged for one piece performed, but not required.

Major or Minor Scale:

Name of first piece:

Name of second piece:

(Optional) Name(s) of additional piece(s):

Jessie Montgomery Competitive Division

Grades:

6th-12th Who:

Students currently enrolled at Key to Change in Young Artist Academy, COMBO lessons, Saint-Georges group class, or private lesson programs.
Time limit to perform: A total of up to 20 minutes

Repertoire requirement:

Competitors must be prepared to perform one of each of the following: major and minor scales; arpeggios in two or three octave scales.

Competitors must also perform at least two different musical works. Concertos, concertinos, sonatas, short pieces, and etudes are permitted. If a concerto (or equivalent piece that could be performed with an orchestra) is performed, then it must be memorized.

Name of major and minor scales:

Name of arpeggios:

Name of first piece:

Name of second piece:

(Optional) Name(s) of additional piece(s):

Concerto Competition Division

Grades:

9th-12th Who:

Students currently enrolled at Key to Change in Young Artist Academy, COMBO lessons, Saint-Georges group class, or private lesson programs.
Time limit to perform: A total of up to 15 minutes

Repertoire requirement:

Competitors must perform at least one movement of a standard student concerto.

Competitors will have performed their concerto during the first round of the competition on January 27, 2026. Up to four students will be selected to participate in the final round.

The final round of the competition will be on Sunday, March 29 at 3:30pm. All finalists will play with the Federal Way Symphony on the Benaroya Recital Hall stage, and up to two students will be selected as winners.

Prize:

The winner(s) will receive a professional debut to perform their solo concerto with one or both the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra and the Federal Way Symphony during their 2026-2027 concert season.

Name of concerto:

Competition Winner Clause

At the Studio's discretion, if the winner is not performance-ready, then a different student will be chosen to play in their radio/media appearance. If a winner is unable to fulfill their radio/media performance obligation, then they will forfeit their scholarship award and future performance appearances.

Previous first place winners are welcome to compete in the two competitive divisions and may receive special prizes. To be eligible to win again, two years must have passed since their most recent first place placement.

SCHEDULE

The 2026 Solo String Festival takes place across March 27th, 28th, and 29th, 2026. Please provide the student's availability, as well as all scheduling conflicts, as it pertains to them participating and attending at Benaroya Hall.

PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION

First name of primary parent/guardian:

Last name of primary parent/guardian:

Email of primary parent/guardian:

Phone number of primary parent/guardian:

Household's street address (mailing):

City:

State:

ZIP/Postal Code:

APPLICATION FEE

There is a $25 application fee per student. If a household requires this to be waived in order for the student to participate, then Key to Change's office must be notified by February 20th.

If you are a non-exempt family, then you are required to pay the $25 application fee before completing this application. You can pay at this link: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/8e83387d-a66d-4af4-ae90-87fb0c6b0a48?637479937822627798

Application Fee

AGREEMENT

The student agrees to follow the rules and regulations as outlined on Key to Change's website.

The household verifies that the student is actively enrolled in lessons through Key to Change. The household also acknowledges that failure to comply with these terms will result in disqualification from the festival. Finally, the household accepts that Key to Change assumes no responsibility or liability for damaged or lost property or instruments.

Student's Name

Parents Name