ROYAL OAK MUSICALE EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC YOUTH AWARD

This award provides recognition and financial assistance to students, grades 7 - 11.  The award is intended for use toward tuition for private music lessons or musical workshops/music camps or toward purchase or upgrade of an instrument or its accessories, or the purchase of sheet music.

AUDITIONS will be held Sunday, February 22, 2026, at First Congregational Church,
1314 Northwood Boulevard, Royal Oak, MI 48073.

The application deadline for 2026 has passed.  Stay tuned for information about new opportunities.

Eligibility

Students in grades 7-11 at the time of the application deadline of Monday, January 12, 2026

Students are eligible provided they are at LEAST ONE of the following:

• A resident of Royal Oak
• A student in a school located in Royal Oak
• A child of a member of the Royal Oak Musicale

NOTE: Students may not audition for more than one ROM award within any given year.

Areas of Concentration

• Strings
• Voice
• Piano
• Organ
• Brass
• Reeds
• Woodwinds
• Percussion

Award Divisions

There will be two divisions for competition: one for students in grades 7-9, and one for students in grades 10-11.

At least two prizes will be awarded, one in each division. The prize will be $500.00. Further prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the judges and with reference to monies available.

Application

The Application consists of three parts:

• Application Form (download below)
• An in-person audition consisting of a single piece of Classical music, 1 to 5 minutes in duration.

        Please bring three extra copies of your piece for the judges to read.

• Two letters of recommendation.
• One must be from the student’s music teacher (the student’s band, choral or orchestral director, or a private teacher).
• The other must be from another adult (not a parent, brother, or sister). Both letters should address the student’s character and dedication to music.