The International Clarinet Association (ICA)

The International Clarinet Association (ICA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs the largest clarinet-specific competitions and scholarship programs in the world. Its flagship Young Artist Competition offers a $5,000 first prize plus a solo performance at the following year's conference. The ICA also runs the Junior Young Artist Competition for students 18 and under, the Loren Kitt Memorial Scholarship for chamber ensembles, the Harry Sparnaay Memorial Scholarship for bass clarinetists, a Research Competition, and travel grants for ClarinetFest attendance. ClarinetFest 2026 will be held in Incheon, South Korea.

Application Details

The ICA runs multiple competitions and scholarship programs with different deadlines and eligibility requirements. All require ICA membership.

Young Artist Competition (Ages 27 and Under)

• Prizes: First prize $5,000 USD plus a solo performance at the 2027 ClarinetFest conference. Second prize $2,000. Third prize $1,000.
• Application fee: $50 USD (non-refundable). Financial aid available for students in need.
• Eligibility: Must not have reached age 27 as of June 30, 2026. Past first-prize winners are not eligible.
• Membership: ICA membership required. Non-members may join to apply.
• Process: Preliminary round by video recording (unedited, separate videos per piece). Semi-finalists notified by May 1, 2026. Semi-final and final rounds held at ClarinetFest 2026 in Incheon, South Korea.
• Preliminary repertoire: Mozart Concerto in A Major, K. 622 (III. Rondo) with piano, plus one Kovacs Hommage piece.
• Semi-final repertoire: Isang Yun Piri (Part I) and Weber Grand Duo Concertant (Mvts. 2 and 3).
• Final repertoire: Amanda Harberg Clarinet Sonata (all movements).
• Conference pianist: Provided free for semi-final and final rounds. Competitors may bring their own pianist at their own expense.
• Semi-finalist benefit: Waiver of ClarinetFest 2026 registration fees.
• 2026 status: Applications have closed.

Junior Young Artist Competition (Ages 18 and Under, Formerly High School Solo Competition)

• Prizes: First prize $1,000 USD plus a professional clarinet (sponsored by Hangang Clarinets). Second prize $750. Third prize $500.
• Application fee: $35 USD (non-refundable). Financial aid available.
• Eligibility: Must be 18 years old or younger as of June 30, 2026.
• Membership: ICA membership required.
• 2026 status: Applications have closed.

Research Competition

• Prizes: First place $1,000 USD plus guaranteed publication in The Clarinet journal (subject to editing). Second place $500.
• Eligibility: Must be an ICA member and register for ClarinetFest 2026. Finalists from 2025 are ineligible for 2026. One proposal per person.
• Format: Presentations up to 25 minutes on any clarinet-related topic. Live or recorded performance acceptable.
• Deadline: Submit by April 1, 2026 via Google Form.

Loren Kitt Memorial Scholarship

• Award: $1,000 USD, complimentary ClarinetFest registration, and a featured performance at the festival.
• Eligibility: Open to US and non-US residents. Ensembles of 3 to 6 musicians featuring at least one clarinetist. Must be invited to perform at ClarinetFest. Previous recipients are not eligible.
• Purpose: Established in 2017 after the passing of clarinetist Loren Kitt to recognize excellence in chamber music.

Harry Sparnaay Memorial Scholarship

• Award: Scholarship for students pursuing the study of the bass clarinet.
• Purpose: Named after bass clarinet pioneer Harry Sparnaay.

ClarinetFest Travel Grant Fund

• Award: Travel grants for students with financial need to attend ClarinetFest.
• Purpose: Reduces the financial barrier of attending the annual conference.

Key Benefits

• The Young Artist Competition first prize ($5,000) is one of the largest single awards for clarinetists
• First prize includes a solo performance at the following year's ClarinetFest, providing significant career exposure
• Junior Young Artist first prize includes a professional clarinet, which can be worth $3,000 to $10,000
• Semi-finalists in the Young Artist Competition receive free ClarinetFest registration
• Financial aid is available for application fees for students in need
• Travel grants help offset the cost of attending ClarinetFest
• The Instrument Donation Program provides free instruments, mouthpieces, and accessories to students in need
• Competitions are open to non-US residents, making them truly international

Drawbacks / Things to Consider

• ICA membership is required for all competitions. This adds an annual cost on top of application fees.
• ClarinetFest 2026 is in Incheon, South Korea. Semi-finalists and finalists must arrange and pay for their own travel and visas. This is a significant expense for most students.
• The US tax law requires a 30% withholding on prize money for non-US resident winners. A $5,000 prize becomes $3,500 after withholding.
• Application fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome ($50 for Young Artist, $35 for Junior Young Artist).
• The Young Artist Competition has highly specific required repertoire. You cannot choose your own pieces for the competition rounds.
• Video recordings for the preliminary round must be unedited with visible face and fingers. Poor recording quality will negatively impact adjudication.
• The 2026 application cycle for both the Young Artist and Junior Young Artist competitions has already closed. The next cycle will be for 2027.
• The Loren Kitt Memorial Scholarship requires an invitation to perform at ClarinetFest, which means you must already have an accepted performance proposal.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

The ICA Young Artist Competition is the most prestigious and financially significant competition exclusively for clarinetists. The $5,000 first prize plus a solo performance at the following year's conference can launch a professional career.

If you are a clarinetist under 27, this should be on your annual calendar. Prepare the required repertoire months in advance. The competition demands specific pieces (Mozart, Kovacs, Yun, Weber, Harberg), so you need to learn works you might not otherwise choose.

For younger clarinetists (18 and under), the Junior Young Artist Competition offers a $1,000 prize plus a professional clarinet. The instrument alone makes this worth entering.

For bass clarinetists, the Harry Sparnaay Memorial Scholarship is one of the few awards specifically for your instrument. For chamber ensembles, the Loren Kitt Memorial Scholarship provides $1,000 plus a featured performance slot.

If travel to South Korea for ClarinetFest 2026 is a financial barrier, apply for a ClarinetFest Travel Grant. If the application fee is a barrier, request financial aid through the ICA.

Check the ICA competitions page for the most current deadlines and repertoire requirements.

Related Opportunities

• IDRS Scholarships for double reed (oboe and bassoon) players
• ITG Scholarships for trumpet players
• Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
• Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your earnings as a performing musician
• Visit the ICA website for membership details and all competition information