Shining Stars Competiton
Congratulations to the 2024 Shining Stars Scholarship Winners!
Chapman Memorial Piano Competition ($800)
Carol Young, Baptist College of Ministry, Grade 11 (Piano)
Anthony and Andrea Bryant Award ($1,500)
Clark Snavely, Home School, Grade 12 (Violin)
Anita Ransome-Kuchler Award ($750)
Sonya Wilhelm, Kettle Moraine School for Arts and Performance, Grade 12 (Viola)
High School Awards ($250)
Ethan Chen, New Berlin Eisenhower, Grade 11 (Violin)
Mari Cortez, Waukesha North High School, Grade 10 (Flute)
Gavin Hansen, Pewaukee High School, Grade 10 (Bassoon)
Caleb VanGelderen, Falls Baptist Academy, Grade 9 (Cello)
Henry Snavely, Home School, Grade 10 (Violin)
Middle School Awards ($250)
Haoxuan Kevin Mi, Swallow School, Hartland, Grade 6 (Cello)
John Zempel, Falls Baptist Academy, Grade 6 (Viola)
Titus Shoultz, Falls Baptist Academy, Grade 7 (Cello)
Zechariah Schoultz, Falls Baptist Academy, Grade 6 (Violin)
Lydia VanGelderen, Falls Baptist Academy, Grade 7 (Violin)
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 8, at 6:00 PM at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Waukesha to watch our upcoming outstanding 2025 student musicians perform at the Shining Stars Recital. Admission is $10 donation to the Wisconsin Philharmonic. All are welcome!
Shining Stars Program: The name “Shining Stars” refers to students in our community who have exceptional musical talent. The Wisconsin Philharmonic offers scholarships to middle and high school students who reside in Waukesha County. Auditions are held annually in the Spring. Scholarship winners are required to perform in the Shining Stars Recital also held in the Spring where students perform for an admiring audience and are awarded their scholarship funds.
Guidelines: Shining Stars Audition Guidelines 2025
Application: Shining Stars Application Form 2025
Eligibility: Auditions are open to middle and high school music students who are residents of Waukesha County that have mastered a string, wind, brass, or percussion instrument. Pianists are not eligible for Shining Stars auditions but are encouraged to apply for the Chapman Memorial Piano Competition.
Repertoire: Participants are required to perform one piece or movement with contrasting sections. All high school auditions must be performed with piano accompaniment if the music has a written accompaniment. Although highly encouraged, the use of accompaniment is optional for middle school students. Auditions are six minutes in length, and the judges reserve the right to stop an audition due to time constraints. Any cuts made in the music must be clearly marked in the judges’ copies. Three judges copies are required. Copies of music are accepted.
Awards
- Shining Stars Scholarships: Up to eight $250 scholarships will be awarded to middle and high school students.
- Anthony W. Bryant Scholarship: One $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior committed to continuing education with a declared music major.
Apply!
An official Shining Star Application Form must be submitted to the Wisconsin Philharmonic. Application Forms are due March 4, 2025 and must have the required application fee of $15 payable to the Wisconsin Philharmonic enclosed.