The Abilene Philharmonic’s annual Nelda Hodges Young Artist Competition was established in 2008 to help support outstanding young musicians in the Abilene area.  The competition is open to woodwind, brass, percussion, string, and piano students between the ages of 12-18 that live in any Texas School Regions except regions 4, 10, 11, 13, 20, and have not yet graduated high school.

Nelda and Eddie Hodges were generous donors, active volunteers, and innovative leaders of the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, Foundation, and Guild for almost sixty years.  Eddie Hodges honored his wife with the establishment of the Nelda Hodges Young Artist Competition Endowment to inspire and reward young people’s love for music.