WARSAW — The sixth annual Young Artist Competition will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, in the Performing Arts Center of Warsaw Community High School.

According to a press release, this free event features performances by musicians in upper-grade school, middle school and high school from all around northern Indiana, including Warsaw, Fort Wayne and Granger.

Sponsored by the Symphony of the Lakes and the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, the competition was founded six years ago by the late Thomas Stirling, who was the music director for the symphony and the theater.

There are two divisions in the competition. The junior division, which so far has four contestants registered, will begin at 11 a.m. and is for grades 5 through 8. The senior division, which currently has eight contestants registered, will begin at 1 p.m. and is for musicians in grades 9 through 12.

Those in the senior division will compete for the Thomas N. Stirling Memorial Scholarships, which will be awarded to the top three musicians. The top winner in the senior division will also be given the opportunity to perform with the Symphony of the Lakes at its April 18 “Celebrations” concert at the Winona Heritage Room in Winona Lake.

“The competition every year gets better and better,” said Deb Bishop, chair of the Wagon Wheel board. “This year we have a great roster of contestants and we are so pleased to help inspire and promote these young musicians.”

“The talent level of these students is astounding,” said Terry White, chair of the Symphony of the Lakes. “Anyone who can come out and hear these free performances will be thrilled at the maturity and competency level of these student musicians.”

There is no charge to attend the competition, and a reception with light refreshments will be served in the lobby at 3 p.m. while the judges complete their work, after which the winners of the senior division will be announced.

Among the volunteers from the symphony and Wagon Wheel who will help conduct the day’s activities are Deb Bishop, Judy Becker, Judie Meulink, Jay Michaels, Elisa Wise, Terry White, Wally Brath, Ardis Faber, Tyler Claycomb and others.