The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation—MTNA $10,000 Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz Career Grant

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA $10,000 Joyce B. Cowin Career Grant was designed to attract and interest young accomplished classical pianists worthy of recognition, who desire to further their dreams of success in this ever-changing world of the performing artist. A joint collaboration of the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation and the MTNA Foundation Fund, these grants signify not just the philanthropic commitment of Norman Horowitz and Melvin Stecher to MTNA, but also their dedication to classical music through the quality of teaching, research, performance, and scholarship in music, all of which is a direct reflection of the standards of MTNA.

The deadline for application is November 5, 2026. The recipient will be notified no later than early January 2027. The presentation of the award will be during the 2027 MTNA National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 2–6, 2027. The recipient should plan to attend to receive the award in person.

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Application Guidelines

Eligibility

• Applicant must be 30 years of age or younger as of November 5, 2026.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Applicant must be a current active classical pianist/performer with teaching experience.
• Applicants may only apply for one of the following awards each year:
  • The Stecher and Horowitz Power of Innovation Award
  • The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA $10,000 Joyce B. Cowin Career Grant
  • The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA $10,000 Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz Career Grant
  • The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA $25,000 Gateway Prize for Advancement in the Arts
• Previous recipients of the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA $10,000 Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz Career Grant are not eligible to apply.

Application Materials

• Current contact information including name, address, phone, and email.
• Applicant profile information including a current resume and date of birth.
• Three essays and supporting media/documents for each that demonstrate innovation and success in the following areas:
  • Artistic Excellence (Essay and 30-minute performance video; there are no repertoire requirements as the program should be selected to best showcase the breadth of the applicant’s artistry)
  • Pedagogical Leadership (Essay and 30-minute teaching video)
  • Community Service (Essay and choice of a video, article, report or other document)

Note about submitting your materials: Please do NOT use Google Docs for any submissions. Use Word or PDF. Please also confirm that any YouTube videos are not password protected/private.

Selection Process

• A panel of adjudicators will evaluate each applicant's essays and documentation.
• 45% of the evaluation is based on the quality of work in each area (15% per area).
• 55% of the evaluation is based on the overall impression of the creativity and innovative spirit of the applicant's professional endeavors.

Application Deadline

• All essays and documentation must be received no later than November 5, 2026, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
• Questions should be directed to the MTNA National Headquarters at mtnanet@mtna.org or by calling (513) 421-1420. 

Failure to follow directions or meet eligibility requirements may disqualify the applicant.