We’re looking for aspiring, emerging musicians to perform as a part of the SweetWater Music Festival 2025 and our Next Wave Program!
What is SweetWater’s Next Wave Program?
A weekend-long intensive training program, where four musicians (age 15-25) are selected to perform at and attend the finale weekend of the SweetWater Music Festival!
This includes:
A private lesson during the festival with one of the internationally renowned 2025 Festival Artists (to be announced in May!)
Perform in a public masterclass
A personalized virtual mentorship session with Artistic Director, Edwin Huizinga (either before or after the festival)
The opportunity to immerse yourself behind the scenes at the 2025 SweetWater Music Festival! This means everything from getting free tickets to all SweetWater mainstage events, dining with festival artists, sneak peeks into rehearsals and attending networking gala events with patrons of the SweetWater Music Festival!
Each of the chosen performers will receive a $150 honorarium
Key Dates
June 1 Application Deadline
July 1 Stage 1 selected musicians are notified
July 20 Musicians are selected to attend and perform at the SW Festival 2025
August Edwin Huizinga meets the four Next Wave musicians online
September 20-21 2025 SweetWater Music Festival
September 21, 12pm 2025 SweetWater Next Wave Showcase Performance
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 Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21 in person in Owen Sound and Meaford ON.
How to apply
No application fee! Complete the registration by clicking on the button below.
Audition Requirements
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.
One-page maximum PDF recommendation letter from a teacher/instructor
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.