Fine Arts Festival
Choral Auditions Due: December 1, 2026
Instrumental, Scholarship and ARTS Due: December 1, 2026
Every year, the Department of Music at Southwestern Adventist University has the pleasure of hosting an exclusive festival for high school and academy musicians. The festival features a variety of opportunities for instrumentalists and vocalists, including the opportunity to perform in a world premiere at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.
In addition to the festival ensembles, elite musicians have the opportunity to audition for a chance to win a music scholarship. Students who audition have the chance of being selected as a scholarship finalist, the opportunity to perform in a showcase recital, and will be reimbursed for their transportation, food, and lodging.
Every year, the Festival continues its tradition of bringing both musical masterworks and new music to the stage. The Southwestern Music Festival has featured artists such as Eriks Esenvalds, Kim Andre Arnesen, Craig Courtney, American composer Brandon A. Boyd, Elain Hagenberg, Philip Stopford, and Jamey Ray.
View Images from last year's festival.
View album from 2026
Music Participant Schedule
Download The Weekend Schedule
Art Participant Schedule
Download The Weekend Schedule
Painting & Drawing Submissions
All high school artists are able to submit current artwork and apply to participate in the 2026 Fine Arts Festival. For select artists, a panel of judges will award $20,000 in Scholarships during the festival; all High School Juniors and Seniors are eligible to enter.
Project Criteria
We are honored to welcome world-renowned artist Nathan Greene as the featured artist of this year’s Art Festival. Renowned for his powerful Biblical works and Christ-centered vision, Greene’s art reflects a deep faith expressed through exceptional skill and thoughtful storytelling. Throughout the festival, he will work closely with participating artists, offering hands-on instruction, insight into his creative process, and meaningful mentorship. Rooted in a commitment to Christ and to community, Greene’s presence is the defining feature of this year’s festival—inviting participants to learn from an artist whose work, faith, and influence extend far beyond the canvas.
Painting Theme: A Place That Feels Like Home
Artists are invited to create a painting inspired by their favorite place in nature, or a house surrounded by a garden. This place may be real or imagined—somewhere that brings peace, joy, memory, or a sense of belonging. If you do not have a specific place in mind, you may paint a house with a garden that reflects comfort and connection to the natural world.
Artwork should be no larger than 18 x 24 inches.
Submission Criteria
All applicants will submit a 200-400 word description of their art piece. The description should share details about how the artist chose their subject, what it represents, and how it relates to their heritage. A photo of the art piece should be uploaded to the "Art Piece Photo" section. Participants must also submit a professional photo of themselves in the "Professional Photo" section.
Submit your projects here.
The submission deadline for the completed artwork is December 1, 2026.
Festival Ensembles
The choral audition deadline is December 1, 2026.
The instrumental audition deadline is December 1, 2026.
How do I Apply for a Festival Ensemble?
Applicants for a festival ensemble must submit high-definition, landscape video recordings of their audition. Please submit "Public" or "Unlisted" YouTube links only.
Vocal Auditions
Audition Requirements
Submit Vocal Audition
Instrumental Auditions
Audition Requirements
Submit Instrumental Audition
Teachers and Chaperones
Register to Attend - Teachers
Register to Attend - Chaperones
Festival Ensembles
The choral audition deadline is December 1, 2026.
The instrumental audition deadline is December 1, 2026.
How do I Apply for a Festival Ensemble?
Applicants for a festival ensemble must submit high-definition, landscape video recordings of their audition. Please submit "Public" or "Unlisted" YouTube links only.
Vocal Auditions
Audition Requirements
Submit Vocal Audition
Instrumental Auditions
Audition Requirements
Submit Instrumental Audition
Teachers and Chaperones
Register to Attend - Teachers
Register to Attend - Chaperones
Download Audition Music
What is a Festival Scholarship?
Each year, the Department of Music at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to elite musicians. Music Festival Scholarships are awarded to talented high school juniors and seniors selected by faculty from the Department of Music. The faculty selects a number of students from submitted auditions to be scholarship finalists.
Scholarship finalists are featured as soloists at Southwestern Adventist University’s Festival Showcase Concert and are eligible for a scholarship toward their first year of study at SWAU. Southwestern Adventist University covers travel, food, and on-campus lodging costs for each student finalist.
How do I apply for a Festival Scholarship?
Applicants for a Festival Scholarship must submit high-definition, landscape video recordings of their audition pieces. Please submit "Public" or "Unlisted" YouTube links only.
Music Scholarship Requirements for Vocalists and Instrumentalists
*Scholarship applicants looking to participate in the music festival must also submit an Ensemble Application separately.*
A Night at the Meyerson
Join us for this annual night of grandeur
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening of promoting musical achievement and benefiting scholarships for the program's young musicians.
A Night at the Meyerson
Join us for this annual night of grandeur
We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening of promoting musical achievement and benefiting scholarships for the program's young musicians.
Johnathan E.L. Wall
Since arriving at Southwestern Adventist University in 2009, Jonathan Wall has provided unparalleled music opportunities to the Southwestern community. He is the director of choral and vocal studies, working with students to help them develop into talented and professional musicians.
Under Jonathan’s guidance, the Southwestern University Singers have grown into an elite international touring ensemble, known for their variety-filled programs, exquisite harmonies, and expressive interpretation of text. In addition, Jonathan is the founder and director of the Southwestern Recital Series, a concert series designed to feature students, faculty, and guest musicians, hosted on the Southwestern campus. The series has produced more than 70 concerts since its premiere.
Lindsey Johnson
Lindsey Johnson is an organist, musicologist, and educator who combines her love for music history, performance, and teaching. She earned her Ph.D. in Musicology from Arizona State University in 2026, where she previously earned her Master’s degree in Organ Performance under Kimberly Marshall. She has performed across the United States and internationally.
Lindsey’s research focuses on American sacred music, the contributions of Black women in music, and the role of the organ in the 20th century. As both an organist and pianist, she enjoys teaching private lessons, performing collaboratively, and leading music in churches. Recently, she presented a lecture recital titled “Demonstrating Sounds Using J. K. F. Fischer’s Euterpe Suite” at the Organ Historical Society’s 2024 national conference, and she has participated in many international organ festivals, including Spain, Belgium, Mexico, and Argentina.
Beyond her performances, Lindsey is active in the American Guild of Organists, having served three years on the Young Organists National Committee and currently serving on the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee. She has judged competitions, including the AGO Women Composer Sunday Competition, and has been featured on NPR's Pipe Dreams. In 2023, she was awarded the Organ Historical Society Biggs Scholarship for a three-year term.
While living in Phoenix, Lindsey taught at Arizona State University and served as Organist and Handbell Director at North Scottsdale United Methodist Church. In the Fall of 2026, she returned to Texas as Interim Professor of Keyboard and Music History and Artist-in-Residence at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas.
Johnathan E.L. Wall
Since arriving at Southwestern Adventist University in 2009, Jonathan Wall has provided unparalleled music opportunities to the Southwestern community. He is the director of choral and vocal studies, working with students to help them develop into talented and professional musicians.
Under Jonathan’s guidance, the Southwestern University Singers have grown into an elite international touring ensemble, known for their variety-filled programs, exquisite harmonies, and expressive interpretation of text. In addition, Jonathan is the founder and director of the Southwestern Recital Series, a concert series designed to feature students, faculty, and guest musicians, hosted on the Southwestern campus. The series has produced more than 70 concerts since its premiere.
Lindsey Johnson
Lindsey Johnson is an organist, musicologist, and educator who combines her love for music history, performance, and teaching. She earned her Ph.D. in Musicology from Arizona State University in 2026, where she previously earned her Master’s degree in Organ Performance under Kimberly Marshall. She has performed across the United States and internationally.
Lindsey’s research focuses on American sacred music, the contributions of Black women in music, and the role of the organ in the 20th century. As both an organist and pianist, she enjoys teaching private lessons, performing collaboratively, and leading music in churches. Recently, she presented a lecture recital titled “Demonstrating Sounds Using J. K. F. Fischer’s Euterpe Suite” at the Organ Historical Society’s 2024 national conference, and she has participated in many international organ festivals, including Spain, Belgium, Mexico, and Argentina.
Beyond her performances, Lindsey is active in the American Guild of Organists, having served three years on the Young Organists National Committee and currently serving on the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee. She has judged competitions, including the AGO Women Composer Sunday Competition, and has been featured on NPR's Pipe Dreams. In 2023, she was awarded the Organ Historical Society Biggs Scholarship for a three-year term.
While living in Phoenix, Lindsey taught at Arizona State University and served as Organist and Handbell Director at North Scottsdale United Methodist Church. In the Fall of 2026, she returned to Texas as Interim Professor of Keyboard and Music History and Artist-in-Residence at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas.