Compete

Note. Organisational change: as of 1 July 2026, From the Top is a program of KERA in North Texas. Correspondence now comes from KERA addresses. The programme itself continues.

Music Scholarships and challenges

From the Top Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

A scholarship award for outstanding young classical musicians with financial need, including a national radio appearance.

Run by From the Top, with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Official website Reviews and tips

Key facts

Eligible grades
Not confirmed. Check the organiser's rules before entering.
From the Top sets eligibility by age and enrolment level, not grade.
Recommended preparation
Repertoire ready for broadcast performance, plus demonstrated financial need
Why: The award is granted only alongside full participation in the Learning and Media Lab Fellowship, which includes an appearance on the NPR broadcast. Financial need is a stated eligibility requirement, not a preference.
Based on the audience the organiser describes.
The organiser publishes this as part of how you qualify or enter, so it is a real condition rather than our suggestion.
Eligible ages
Ages 8 to 18, and full-time students in elementary, middle or high school who have not yet enrolled in college. The Award can only be given to students still enrolled in high school or below.
Source, checked 2026-09-02
Individual or team
Individual
Where it runs
Online and in person · United States
Entry cost
FreeThere is no application fee.
Registration deadline
There are multiple deadlines each year, reported as April, September and November. Critically, high school seniors graduating in 2027 must apply by 9 NOVEMBER 2026 to be considered at all. 61 days leftApplicants receive a decision letter within 90 days of the deadline they submitted under.
Competition dates
Recording and broadcast dates vary through the year.
Difficulty
Highly competitiveNational-level field. Expect months of structured work, and usually a coach or a strong team.
Prizes
A one-time, non-renewable, need-based grant of up to $10,000, awarded to approximately 20 pre-collegiate musicians each year. Funds are disbursed for specific music-related expenses rather than as a general stipend: instrument purchases, summer music camp tuition, college audition travel, private lessons, competition fees, computers and recording devices. Recipients also perform on the NPR broadcast.Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award recipients receive scholarship funding for their musical education, plus a national radio appearance. Amounts vary; confirm on the official site.

What From the Top Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award is

From the Top is a national radio programme showcasing outstanding young classical musicians. Its Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award provides substantial scholarship funding to musicians aged 8 to 18 who demonstrate both exceptional musical ability and financial need. Recipients appear on the programme and receive ongoing support for their musical education.

How the competition works

Open to classical instrumentalists, vocalists and composers. Applicants must show musical commitment and readiness to take part fully in the Fellowship, plus a strong commitment to learning and creativity, and drive, initiative, maturity, leadership and a commitment to giving back to their community. Two recommendations are required, one from an academic teacher and one from a music teacher.

Eligibility notes

Classical musicians, including instrumentalists, vocalists and composers. The Jack Kent Cooke award additionally requires demonstrated financial need.

How to register

  1. Prepare a high-quality recording of your repertoire. The recording is the audition and its quality matters.
  2. Complete the application on the From the Top site, including the materials the current cycle requires.
  3. If you are applying for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, complete the financial need documentation.
  4. Selected musicians are invited to record for the programme.

Register on the official site

What skills you need

  • Classical performance at a high level
  • Recording preparation
  • Speaking about your music
  • Repertoire selection

Recommended resources

Frequently asked questions

Do I need financial need to appear on From the Top?

No. Financial need is a requirement specifically for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, not for appearing on the programme itself.

What instruments are eligible?

Classical instrumentalists, vocalists and composers are all featured. Check the current application guidance for any restrictions.

Reviews, tips and resources from other students

Posts are public. Do not share your full name, school, address or contact details.

Your rating
0 / 1200
Sort

Something out of date?

If a deadline, fee or eligibility rule on this page no longer matches the official site, flag it and it goes into the review queue.

You might also look at

StructureDivisions by grade or level
  • FormatEither
  • WhereIn person
    • 0 days left
    Art and design YoungArts A national arts award across ten disciplines, and the sole route to a United States Presidential Scholar in the Arts nomination.
    27 days left
    Writing Scholastic Art and Writing Awards The longest-running recognition programme for creative teenagers in the United States, across 29 categories.
    83 days left
    Scholarships and challenges Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program A five-year, individually advised scholarship for high-achieving students with financial need, applied for in grade 7.
    218 days left