Mary West Solo Competition (2025)

The Competition will be held on Saturday, November 1st from 12:00-6:00 pm, at Clauson Center, Bethel University.

The Winners Recital will be held on Sunday, November 9th at 7:00 pm, at Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall, UMN School of Music.

The Grand Prize Concerto Performance with the Bloomington Symphony will be held on Sunday, April 12st, 2026 @ 2pm.

• The Grand Prize winner will need to be available for a Sunday evening rehearsal Sunday, March 29 - 6:30-9 p.m. (usually around 7 p.m.) at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

• Possible Sunday evening rehearsal on March 22 - If soloist and Music Director determine that would be helpful due to the week-off - No rehearsal on Easter (April 5). Not required, but possible

Please review the Competition Rules on the events page for full details.

Categories for ticket prices/registration:

Elementary - ages 11 and under

Intermediate - ages 12-14

Junior - ages 15-18

Senior - ages 19-25

Mary West Solo Competition Coordinator needed

Daniel Keeler is planning on coordinating the Mary West Solo Competition in 2025, but not after. MNSOTA is still looking for someone to shadow Daniel for the 2025 competition, and then be the full coordinator starting in 2026. Work begins in May with establishing a budget and coordinating schedules with GTCYS, MYS and other organizations that our string students might participate in. Work continues through the summer to finalize the date, secure sites for the competition and Winners Recital and notify past teacher participants. Registration opens in early September. The competition and Winners Recital take place before Thanksgiving. 

If you are interested in helping, please contact Daniel Keeler SoloCompetition@mnsota.org.