The Mission of The Friends of Music:

• To encourage and inspire young musicians who live or study in the Lehigh Valley, by giving them opportunities for public performances, thus fostering growth and confidence;
• To promote a mutually beneficial association among music teachers, music lovers, and music students; and
• To promote the study and enjoyment of music.

Outstanding Young Artist Competition

The Friends of Music of Bethlehem are holding auditions via video to name our 2025 Outstanding Young Artist. We invite you to inform your talented students about our Competition and encourage them to enter. The winners will be featured in a Spring Recital.

$800 for the Outstanding Young Artist
$75 for Rising Star

*Decision to select a 1st Prize and/or Rising Star winner, is at the discretion of the judges.*

The winners must perform in the Spring Recital in order to receive the monetary award.

Application Period: Applications open October 01, 2024 to January 15, 2025. To apply, visit "Competition".

Recital: April 27, 2025, 3:00pm at West Side Moravian Church, 402 3rd Ave, Bethlehem, PA  18018

Additional information may be found on the Outstanding Young Artist Competition page.

School Grants

Grants support student music programs, grades K–12, for schools located in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania. Awards distributed August 2025 for 2025–2026 school year.

School teachers may request up to $1500.

Grant applications for the 2025–2026 school year are now closed.

Outstanding Teacher Award

We realize that we would not have such outstanding young musicians if it were not for the outstanding music teachers who have supported, encouraged and shown them how to develop their interest and talent. Therefore, in 2021, we added an award to recognize outstanding music teachers in the Lehigh Valley. For more information email to the attention of Carole Burkhardt at: friendsofmusicpa@gmail.com.

You can download the nomination form below.
Outstanding Teacher Award Form