The PCA 39th Annual Youth Scholarship Competition will be virtual for 2021.
Applications are open February 15 - March 26
Once you apply, you have until April 19 to submit up to three entries for judging per category you apply for. Read more about the categories and submissions below. You can contact Chair of the Competition, Arlene Minuskin, at aminuskin@pca-az.net for more info.
The Youth Scholarship Competition is open to students in Yavapai County from middle school to high school. After using this form to apply to the competition, you will receive a link to where to submit your virtual entry at the email you provide in the form. Any tech questions can be directed to Sylvia at graphics@pca-az.net
If you have been part of the competition in previous years, you will notice some changes to category details like age ranges, types of submissions allowed, etc. This came about in an effort to make the competition work best in a virtual format, as well as allow opportunities for more students to take part.
Application fees are $10 per category.
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II- 14 to 18 years old
Portfolios of up to 3 pieces may be entered - pictures for 2D art, and pictures or videos for 3D art.
File types accepted: png, jpeg, gif, mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 12 to 14 years old
Division II - 15 to 18 years old
Choose up to three monologues to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of a video upload.
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old
Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old
Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old
Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old
Choose up to three songs from a musical to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 13 to 15 years old
Division II - 16 to 18 years old
Choose up to three songs to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II- 14 to 18 years old
Portfolios of up to 3 pieces may be entered - pictures for 2D art, and pictures or videos for 3D art.
File types accepted: png, jpeg, gif, mov, avi, mp4, mkv
All students from age 13 to 18 compete in the same division for drama.
Choose up to three monologues to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of a video upload.
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old
Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old
Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old
Choose up to three pieces to record yourself performing. One of your submissions may be performed along to an accompaniment track. You must have at least 1-2 submission that is only your instrument, with no accompaniment. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 10 to 13 years old
Division II - 14 to 18 years old
Choose up to three songs from a musical to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
This category is divided into two divisions:
Division I - 13 to 15 years old
Division II - 16 to 18 years old
Choose up to three songs from a musical to record yourself performing. Your entry will be in the form of video upload(s).
File types accepted: mov, avi, mp4, mkv
You do not need to have your virtual entries ready in order to apply. After filling out an application and paying associated fees, you will have until April 19, 2021 to submit your photos or video entries. The link to submit your entries will be sent to the email you put on your application.
Choosing your Entries - All categories have the option to submit one to three entries for judging. Try to pick pieces that best showcase your skills. For example: If you are a Visual Arts entrant, you could choose pieces that show off your range of style. If you are a Musical Theatre entrant, you could choose a song that best utilizes your voice, and another song that allows you to showcase your particular acting strengths.
Timing - Try to keep song selections under 5 minutes. If you are performing multiple, try to keep the entire length of your performances combined to under 20 minutes. The judges will be focused on the quality of your performance, even if it is a shorter piece! So you can focus on putting your best work forth, whether you choose to submit one, two or three songs.
Accompaniment - Vocal entrants are free to find an instrumental version of their song online to singalong to in their recording. Most songs can be found easily by searching “[SongName] Karaoke” or “[Song Name] Instrumental” on YouTube. But if you would like to sing a capella, you can do that as well.
Instrumentalists may also use accompaniment for one of your entries, so long as you have at least one other entry that showcases your solo playing. For example: if you submit one performance that includes accompaniment, you must submit one or two other entries without accompaniment. You do not need to include a performance with accompaniment if you do not want to.
Capturing Video - Many phones actually have a lower quality front-facing camera, or selfie camera. You can find this information by looking up your specific phone. If the selfie camera is a lower quality, try to use the rear-facing option. You can place a mirror behind the camera to help you set up the shot properly, or have a family member help you with filming.
Capturing Audio - Luckily most phones have decent microphones built in. Be aware of environmental sounds that you may not usually notice. Is your AC, heater, or fan making extra noise? Are you running a load of laundry? Do you have a pet parrot that likes to randomly insult you? Try to minimize these potential distractions. Recording a test is always advised.
PCA is proud to present the previous year's winners of the Youth Scholarship Competition! Gratitude goes out to our judges: Barb Wills (Visual Arts), Steven Hilderbrand (Piano, Strings, Wind/Brass/Percussion), Tregoney Shepherd (Musical Theatre/Drama Categories) and Cristy Welty (Classical Voice). Thank you all for helping us make the competition happen this year with the shift to the virtual stage.
You can view the entries of each winner below
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