The By-Laws of the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra include in their Statement of Purpose the following important objective:

"To foster the development of musically talented youth in the community."

The Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (AMICCO) is pleased to announce its Fourth Annual Young Artists Solo Competition for Manatee and Sarasota County area musicians. The competition will be held Saturday, January 16, 2010 beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Palma Sola Presbyterian Church at 67th St. West and 2nd Avenue in Bradenton, FL. Eligibility for the competition is offered to Manatee/Sarasota County 12 to 18 year old musicians.

The winner will perform with the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra on a series concert. A cash prize of $500 will be awarded to the winner.

Wind and string instrumentals as well as pianists and vocalists interested in competing must submit an application signed by their private teacher or school music teacher and a nonrefundable application fee of $10.00 by January 12, 2010. To be eligible to compete candidates must be participating in their school music program with the exception of pianists and home-schooled performers and not be a past winner. Prior to the audition date applicants will be notified as to their scheduled performance time. Each candidate will be allowed up to 10 minutes for the audition. Auditions are open to the public.

Candidates must provide their own accompanist. Piano candidates perform unaccompanied. Memory is not required but is clearly an advantage. The candidate MUST make certain that score and orchestral parts are readily available for the work to be performed PRIOR to submitting an application. AMICCO will then be responsible for providing the necessary score and parts for the winner's performance. Judges for the competition will include the AMICCO Artistic Director/Principal Conductor, Alfred Gershfeld, Assistant Conductor, Jon Magendanz, and members of the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra.

The Board of Directors of AMICCO reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of the work to be performed by the candidate.