2026 CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Prize

Looking ahead to its 75th anniversary in 2026, Concert Artists Guild is thrilled to announce a major update to its artist selection process. Starting with the 2025–2026 season, CAG will eliminate its annual competition in favor of a dynamic, year-round artist selection model designed to prioritize accessibility, flexibility, and a deeper understanding of each artist’s unique artistry and career trajectory.

The new, modernized process will feature an open call application with a significantly reduced processing fee, live screenings around the country, Recommendation & Artistic Advisory Boards comprising trusted colleagues throughout the industry, and active scouting on the part of CAG.

Applications for the 2026 CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Prize are now open.

Concert Artists Guild empowers musicians and launches careers that are sustainable, unique and relevant. Through mentorship and performance opportunities, we identify and develop young artists who will make an impact in the world through music.

CAG seeks exceptional instrumentalists, ensembles, and singers ready to launch touring careers on the national and international stage. Committed to the ideals of citizen musicianship, CAG is devoted to supporting artists who strive to connect their music to the greater world. Artists who share these values are encouraged to apply.

PRIZES AND AWARDS

    • More than 40 Performance Prizes with leading orchestras, concert series, and festivals (see below for a representative list)

    • Chamber Music America Showcase Performance

    • Bohemians Artist Residency & Levinson Arts Achievement Award, administered by the New York Community Trust, which will fund the creation of critical career assets. For more information on the award click here.

    • Technical concert apparel from Coregami (winners to be selected in consultation with Coregami)

    • GEWA case (for string players, winners will select case in consultation with GEWA music USA)

    • Week-long residency at Avaloch Farm Music Institute

    • Commission support for winner of the Living Composer Prize

    • A photography session with a photographer chosen in collaboration with CAG

“Flexibility is key; We want to take artists on at the right time for them and for us - when the partnership can be most impactful. This allows us to build a more meaningful relationship with each artist, getting to know them deeply throughout the review process rather than basing decisions on a single performance.”

Tanya Bannister, CAG President

    • Geoffrey John Davies, Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief – The Violin Channel

    • David Frost, GRAMMY-winning record producer and pianist

    • Leila Getz, Founder and Artistic Director – Vancouver Recital Society

    • Elizabeth Helgeson, Director, Artistic Planning and Administration – New York Philharmonic

    • Charles Letourneau, Executive Vice President, Director of Artistic Planning – Festival Napa Valley

    • Katie McGuinness, Chief Artistic Officer – Dallas Symphony Orchestra

    • Felipe Nieto, Vice President, Artist Manager – Arts Management Group

    • Nicholas Russotto, Executive Director, Tisch Music – The 92nd Street Y

    • Simon Woods, President and CEO - League of American Orchestras

    • Arianna Zukerman, Manager, Artistic Administration – Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts

  • Anchorage Concert Association (AK)
    Beaches Fine Arts Series, Inc. (FL)
    Brevard Music Center (NC)
    Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, Clemson University (SC)
    Chamber Music Society of Little Rock (AR)
    Chautauqua Institution (NY)
    Chico Performances, California State University, Chico (CA)
    Civic Music Association of Des Moines (IA)
    Cooperstown Summer Music Festival (NY)
    Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series (IL)
    Detroit Institute of Arts (MI) 
    Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (MN)
    DuPage Symphony Orchestra (IL)
    East Meadow Library (NY)
    Elon University Office of Cultural and Special Programs (NC)
    Eureka Chamber Music Series (CA)
    Fairbanks Concert Association (AK)
    Festival Napa Valley (CA)
    GatherNYC (NY)
    Green Music Center, Sonoma State University (CA)
    Hilton Head Symphony (SC)
    Honest Brook Music Festival (NY) 
    Howland Friends of Music
    Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois (IL)
    Macon Concert Association (GA)
    Melbourne Chamber Music Society (FL)
    Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center (NY)
    Music Mountain (CT)
    Parrish Art Museum Salon Series (NY)
    Patrons for Young Artists (NY)
    Pepperdine University Center for the Arts (CA)
    Purdue University Convocations (IN)
    Quick Center for the Arts-St. Bonaventure University (NY)
    Ravinia Festival (IL)
    Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (FL)
    Rockport Chamber Music Festival (MA)
    Roswell Symphony (NM)
    Strings Music Festival (CO)
    St. Vincent College Concert Series (PA)
    Symphony Napa Valley (CA)
    Tri-Institutional Noon Recitals, Rockefeller University (NY)
    University of Florida Performing Arts (FL)
    Washington Performing Arts (DC)
    WQXR-FM’s Young Artists Showcase (NY) 
    Vancouver Recital Society (BC)


Hear from 2023 CAG Competition Winner ArcoStrum below to learn more!

 

For questions and further information about joining the CAG roster, please contact competition@concertartists.org

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