Do you know any classically trained musicians between the ages of 15 to 25?

SweetWater Music Festival
Next Wave Program

If so, we would love for you to pass this email on to these individuals, your students, your friends and more because we are looking for aspiring, emerging musicians to perform as a part of the up-and-coming Young Artist Program

What is SweetWater Music Festival?

SweetWater Music Festival takes place every September in the beautiful city of Owen Sound, Ontario, where some of the best musicians from across Canada (and the world!) perform classical, jazz, and contemporary music.

What is the Next Wave Program?

A weekend-long intensive training program, where four musicians (aged 15-25) are selected to attend and perform at the finale weekend of the SweetWater Music Festival! Check out some pictures from previous programs here: 2023 Photo files; 2024 Photo Files.

  • The opportunity to immerse yourself behind the scenes at the 2026 SweetWater Music Festival!

  • Free tickets to all SweetWater main stage events, dining with festival artists, sneak peeks into rehearsals and attending networking gala events with patrons of the SweetWater Music Festival!

  • A private lesson with one of the internationally renowned 2026 Festival Artists (to be announced in May!)

  • Perform in a public masterclass

  • A personalized virtual mentorship session with Artistic Director, Edwin Huizinga (before the festival)

  • Host family accommodations for the weekend

  • A $150 honorarium

Young woman with long, wavy blonde hair playing the violin during a music practice session, standing in a room with several guitars in the background.

What the Next Wave Program includes:

Who can apply?

  • Are you between the ages of 15 to 25?

    A soloist OR part of a chamber group (up to 4 people) that performs classical music at RCM grade 8 or above?

    *Must be available for Friday (evening) September 18 until Sunday (late afternoon) September 20, 2026 in Owen Sound and Meaford, ON.

Two young men in black shirts playing violins in a music performance, with a piano in the background.

How to apply

No application fee! Complete the registration by clicking the button below.

APPLY BY JUNE 20,2026!

Audition Requirements

  1. One video of a performance demonstrating your abilities. Must be no longer than 12 minutes and filmed within the past 12 months. The video clip can be one piece or one movement or multiple pieces as long as it is unedited and remains under 12 minutes. Share your video performance as a private/unlisted Youtube link.

  2. One-page maximum PDF recommendation letter from a teacher/instructor

Key Dates

June 20 - Application Deadline
July 1 - Stage 1 selected musicians are notified.
August 1 - Musicians are selected to attend and perform at the SweetWater Music Festival 2026.
August - Edwin Huizinga meets the four Next Wave musicians online.
September 18-20 - 2026 SweetWater Music Festival
September 20, 12pm - Next Wave Showcase Performance

Thank you! We can’t wait to see your application!
Please feel free to email us with any questions.

A young woman in a blue dress playing the piano during a performance, with string of people watching in the background.
A pianist, with long blonde hair in a ponytail, playing a grand piano, while a young man plays the violin beside her in a concert hall with an audience.

Thank you to the Jean Medley Fund for the generous support
of the Next Wave emerging artists program.

 

Past Next Wave Performers
Share Their Perspectives

Over 30 musicians have performed on our Next Wave stage since 2019. Two of our past finalists talk about their experience as performers and being selected as interns during SweetWater 2021.