Skip to Content
find events + tickets support the music

Donald Runnicles Musical Arts Scholarship Competition

The Grand Teton Music Festival will host the 9th Annual Scholarship Competition in honor of Music Director Donald Runnicles on July 18 & 19, 2026 in Jackson, Wyoming. Semi-Finals: July 18, 10 a.m. Finals: July 19, 1 p.m.

The competition is open to graduating high school seniors from Wyoming, Idaho or Montana who are pursuing a music degree in college. The first round is a pre-screened video submitted online.

Witness the talent of five semi-finalists who will perform for a panel of judges including Maestro Donald Runnicles at Jackson Hole High School Auditorium. Three finalists will compete for $50,000 in scholarship awards and the first-prize winner will be invited to perform as a soloist with the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra (WSO) in its upcoming season. WSO performance details to be discussed following the conclusion of the competition. The semi-finals and finals are free to attend and open to the public.

    • 1st Prize: $25,000 & a soloist performance with the WSO
    • 2nd Prize: $15,000
    • 3rd Prize: $10,000

2025 Scholarship Competition: José González Granero, GTMF clarinet; Jennifer Ross, GTMF violin; Kimi Kawashima, GTMF piano/accompanist; Sir Donald Runnicles, music director; Shelby Cox, violin (1st place); Benjamin Zielinski, flute (2nd place); Charles Snellman, cello (3rd place)

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, May 18: DEADLINE EXTENDED – Applications due

Monday, June 1: Applicants will be notified of first-round results

Saturday, July 18: Scholarship Competition Semi-Finals at 10 a.m.

Sunday, July 19: Scholarship Competition Finals at 1 p.m.

If you have any questions about the scholarship competition, please contact Ashley Hernandez-Salinas, Community Engagement Manager, at 307.732.9962 or ashley@gtmf.org.

The Donald Runnicles Musical Arts Scholarship Competition is generously funded by anonymous donors. We are profoundly grateful for their support.

Wyoming Symphony Orchestra

Events

Today

    • Scholarship Competition
    2026 Scholarship Competition Semi-Finals
    Saturday, July 18 at 10:00 AM
    Jackson Hole High School Auditorium

    Witness the talent of the Donald Runnicles Musical Arts Scholarship Competition semi-finalists as they compete for $50,000 in awards for a panel of judges including Maestro Runnicles.

    Scholarship Competition
    2026 Scholarship Competition Finals
    Sunday, July 19 at 1:00 PM
    Jackson Hole High School Auditorium

    Witness the talent of the Donald Runnicles Musical Arts Scholarship Competition finalists as they compete for $50,000 in awards for a panel of judges including Maestro Runnicles.

Congratulations to the 2025 Scholarship Competition Award recipients!

  • 1st Prize ($25K): Shelby Cox (violin) from Laramie, WY
  • 2nd Prize ($15K): Benjamin Zielinski (flute) from Florence, MT
  • 3rd Prize ($10K): Charles Snellman (cello) from Helena, MT