Chapman Memorial Piano Competition

This biennial (every two years) piano competition is open to all Waukesha County piano students age 14 through 20. Each student prepares a selection from the repertoire list to perform by memory for a panel of judges. The competition winner receives a scholarship and the opportunity to perform with the Wisconsin Philharmonic. The scholarship is given in memory of Eleanor Chapman, a long-time beloved piano teacher in the Waukesha area. Applications and auditions will be held in the Spring of 2026. All applications must have the required application fee of $15 payable to the Wisconsin Philharmonic enclosed. Competitor must choose one selection from the following repertoire to perform from memory:

Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 1, first movement
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 3, last movement
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 4, first or last movements
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5, first or second AND third movements
Fauré – Ballade
Franck – Symphonic Variations
Grieg – Piano Concerto in A Minor, first movement
Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, last movement
Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 21 (“Elvira Madigan”), last movement
Mendelssohn – Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, first or third movements
Saint-Saens – Piano Concerto No. 3 in E-flat Major, first movement

Note: An accompanist is required. A second piano will be available for your accompanist.

View/Print 2026 Chapman Memorial Competition-Requirements

Application: 2026 Chapman Memorial Competition-Application Form

Congratulations to our 2024 Shining Stars Scholarship Winners!

Chapman Memorial Piano Competition ($800)

About Carol Young- 2024 Scholarship Winner

Carol is a senior at Baptist College of Ministry where she is currently working on a Bachelor of Arts in both Bible and in Music. Born and raised in southeast Wisconsin, her parents enrolled her in piano lessons when they realized that she enjoyed music. At age nine, she started violin lessons at the String Academy of Wisconsin and switched to Falls Baptist Music School two years later. During her sophomore year of college, her teacher, Elizabeth Zempel, recommended that she also learn the viola.

Her studies have included Matthew Michelic, Jim Przygocki, Sherry Sinift, and Jeannie Yu, and currently includes Jamie Hofman, Mary Faith Williams, and Elizabeth Zempel. In 2019, she performed at Midwest Clinic with the Baptist College of Ministry Chamber Strings. She has also performed with the Kettle Moraine Symphony Orchestra and Bel Canto Chorus under Rick Hynson. Currently, she still studies all three instruments and enjoys each equally. Aside from practicing and studying, she teaches at Falls Baptist Music School and is involved in music and children's ministries at Falls Baptist Church. She also enjoys watching sunrises, photography, singing, and secretarial work.