Annual edith knox
performance competition

Note:

The application period for the 2026 Annual Edith Knox Performance Competition will open on Nov. 1 and close on Dec. 31, 2025

The Preliminary Round will take place on Jan. 10, 2026 at Los Angeles Harbor College

The Final Round will take place on Feb. 1, 2026 at RUHS Auditorium

Cash Prizes and Competition Rules

(for 53nd Annual Edith Knox Performance Competition)

First Place

$2,000

Second Place

$1,000

Third Place

$750

Fourth Place

$500

Fifth Place

$400

The Competition is open to instrumentalists who will not have attained the age of 25 by June 1, 2026. Proof of age may be required at the Preliminary Competition. Audition times will be assigned after the application period is closed. In the event that there is an unusually large number of submissions, applicants may be asked to provide a link to a sample performance, and not all applicants may be selected for the preliminary round.

Entrants must perform a concerto in its entirety or other work for solo instrument and orchestra from the standard repertoire that is equivalent in terms of difficulty and length (typically 20 minutes or longer). Selections are subject to approval by the Chairs of the Knox and Artistic committees and the Peninsula Symphony Music Director and must be performed from memory with piano accompaniment.

Accompanists must be provided for both the Preliminary and Final Rounds. Please ensure your accompanist is available for both performances. In addition to appearing at both Rounds, finalists must be available to appear in a concert with the Peninsula Symphony on June 28, 2026 and are required to attend a rehearsal on June 23 at Harbor College and the final rehearsal on June 28 at Redondo Union High School. The winner must also be available to play a short, solo recital at 3:00 PM on May 2 in the Classical Crossroads' Classical Interludes concert series. An honorarium of $1,000 will be provided by Classical Crossroads for this recital.

Decisions of the judges are final. Neither oral nor written critiques will be provided.

View the full list of the Edith Knox Young Performers Showcase winners:

Edith Knox Performance Competition and prizes are made possible through support provided by Edith Knox Fund, the Mimi Horowitz Fund, and individual donors (Angels).