Summer Festival

Summer Festival

2026 Southwestern Youth Music Festival
CSULB Bob Cole Conservatory of Music
July 11 (SAT), July 12 (SUN)
July 18 (SAT), July 19 (SUN)

SYMF Summer Festival Rules & Regulations

The SYMF Summer Festival is held in Southern California and runs two weekends (five days), usually in mid-to-late July and/or early August, at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at Cal State University Long Beach (CSULB).

The SYMF Summer Festival offers categories for Piano, Strings (violin, viola, cello), and Winds (flute, clarinet). Categories include opportunities for students to perform solo works, duets, ensemble repertoire, and concerto literature. Categories accommodate the age and level of the student.

Complete information and Repertoire Lists (if applicable) are available on the Rules & Regulations webpage (please click on link).

Only teachers who are members of SYMF may enter students in the SYMF Summer Festival.

SYMF 2025 Teacher Membership Dues: $80
All fees must be paid ONLINE and are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Deadline for submitting SYMF 2025 Teacher Membership Dues
May 1, 2026 (11:59 PM PT)
After May 1, 2026, Member Dues: $100 (includes $20 late fee)

Dates & Deadlines

May 1
Last day for TEACHERS to pay SYMF 2026 Membership Dues without a $20 Late Fee

May 15
Last day for TEACHERS to pay SYMF 2026 Membership Dues with a $20 Late Fee

May 15
Last day for TEACHERS to enter students for the 2026 Festival
(teachers must use the online Student Entry Form) without the $10 late fee PER ENTRY

May 22
The absolute last day to enter students

May 23
The last day for parents to pay student entry fees
REMINDER: students entered between May 16 and May 22 will incur a late fee of $10 PER ENTRY

SYMF 2026 General Information

NEW for 2026!

Piano Masterclass

Entrants will compete July 11–12 for the opportunity to perform in a masterclass with an outstanding master teacher/performer on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the CSULB Bob Cole Conservatory. Pianist Robert Thies will be this year’s master teacher; up to four performers may be selected. The masterclass will be free to the public. Stay Tuned for more details!

Music in Art

Also new this year is the Music in Art category. Students will submit a photo of a music inspired artwork (limited to a drawing or painting) they have created. They will be judged by a panel of local artists and up to four winners’ artworks will be displayed during the SYMF Competition at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSULB.

2026 SYMF Summer Festival
Registration Fees
Young Musicians categories: $120
Showcase Benefit Recital category: $100
Piano Masterclass category: $100
Open categories (except Duo/Duet and Ensemble categories): $90
Open Duo/Duet and Open Ensemble categories: $50 per performer
Qualified categories (except Duet/Ensemble categories): $80
Qualified Duet and Qualified Ensemble categories: $45 per performer

As we gear up for this summer’s competition, SYMF is planning on the following:

  • Auditions will be open to the public but may be limited in audience size.
  • All 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-Place Winners will be invited to perform at a Winners Recital on the same day of the category’s audition.
  • There will be no warm up rooms.

Parking
Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (BCCM)

You will receive more parking information with your students’ audition schedule.

Please allow EXTRA TIME to park and walk to the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (BCCM).

For more parking information, please visit:

Young Musicians categories

  • Pianist, Violinist/Violist, Cellist, Flutist/Clarinetist Categories
  • First Place winners have the opportunity to perform as concerto soloists with the Festival Orchestra.
  • Please Note: TEACHER MAY NOT ACCOMPANY STUDENT

Piano Open categories

  • Concerto
  • Classical Complete Work
  • Solo
  • American
  • Baroque
  • Chopin
  • Duo/Duet
  • Ensemble
  • Chamber Music

Piano Qualified categories

  • Concerto
  • Classical Complete Work
  • Solo
  • American
  • Baroque
  • Chopin
  • Duet
  • Ensemble

String Open & Qualified categories

  • Solo
  • American
  • Baroque
  • Duet
  • Chamber Music

Wind Open & Qualified categories

  • Solo
  • American
  • Baroque
  • Duet,
  • Chamber Music

Trophies

  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-Place winners receive trophies with personalized name plates

Adjudicator Assistants (Room Captains)

  • Students ages 16 and older may apply for paid job opportunities as Room Captains