General Information for the 2026 Cleveland Cello Society Scholarship Competition
Registration opens January 1st, 2026
BELOW IS GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FOUR DIVISIONS OF THE COMPETITION.
When: Sunday, April 26, 2026, noon to 5 PM (Applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2026)
Where: The Music School Settlement, 11125 Magnolia Drive (in University Circle)
The Cleveland Cello Society is pleased to announce its twenty-eighth annual scholarship competition, open to talented young cellists residing in the State of Ohio. Please remember that a candidate may not win the same prize twice in a given division (Elementary, Junior, Senior, Collegiate), but is welcome to compete in a new division when qualified to do so, or for a different prize in the same division. The competition is divided into four divisions: applicants should review the requirements of each carefully. The winners will be asked to perform on a Cleveland Cello Society recital to be scheduled during the 2026-27 season.
General Requirements:
1. The contestant must perform the compositions listed on his or her application from memory.
2. The applicant is required to bring his or her own pianist, if needed.
3. The applicant must provide the judges with a copy of the pieces to be performed.
Two options for submitting your application:
1) Online application will be available here starting January 1, 2026.
2) Hard copy: starting January 1, 2026, click here to download a printable copy of the Scholarship Competition application form. Send the completed application and check, postmarked no later than March 15, 2026, to:
Cleveland Cello Society
P.O. Box 201894
Cleveland, Ohio, 44120
Applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2026--NO LATE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED
Questions? call the CCS office 216-921-3480
Collegiate Division
Through age 23, as of September 1, 2026 (applicant must be born on or after September 2, 2002)
THREE prizes in this division:
Gold Medal Jean and Jim Triner Prize: $2,000
Silver Medal Prize Y.Chen at Cleveland Violins Prize: $1,200
Agnew Prize for Bach: $300. Awarded for the best performance of Bach by a Collegiate Division competitor. The winner of the Agnew Prize may or may not be the same individual as the winner of the Collegiate Division Gold or Silver Medal Prize.
Requirements:
One movement from a standard concerto AND
One movement from a Bach Solo Suite
Junior Division
Grades 6 through 8
George Knobeloch Edwards Prize: $750
Requirements:
One movement from a Bach Solo Suite AND
A solo piece of your choice
Senior Division
Grades 9 through 12
Dually Noted Prize: $900
Requirements:
One movement from a Bach Solo Suite AND
A solo piece of your choice
Elementary Division
Through grade 5
Mary Margaret Kramer Prize: $500
Requirements:
Two contrasting solo pieces of your choice