IWBC Competitions
Susan Slaughter Solo Competition
Created by the IWBC Board of Directors, the solo competition has been held in conjunction with every IWBC Conference since the first in 1993. In 2006, the Board officially named it the Susan Slaughter Solo Competition. It is open to all brass musicians of all ages and gender; amateur, student, and professional alike. Brass instruments that are qualified to compete include the trumpet, horn, tenor trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Winners receive prize money which is fundraised in conjunction with the Holiday Brass Concerts that occur annually in St. Louis, MO and Baltimore, MD.
PRIZE PACKAGE
Grand Final Round Category 1
1st Prize: $5,000
2nd Prize: $3,000
3rd Prize: $1,000
Grand Final Round Category 2
1st Prize: $5,000
2nd Prize: $3,000
3rd Prize: $1,000
Category 1 Solo Competition (up to 3 winners awarded per instrument)
1st Prize: $600
2nd Prize: $300
3rd Prize: $100
Category 2 Solo Competition (up to 3 winners awarded per instrument)
1st Prize: $600
2nd Prize: $300
3rd Prize: $100
We are grateful to Patti Powell and Vince DiMartino who graciously sponsored the 1st prize for the Category 1 Trumpet Competition for the 2025 Conference. Learn more about sponsorship HERE.
Solo Competition Information
Check back in December 2026 for competition repertoire.
Coming soon!
IWBC’s instrumental competitions are open to anyone: any occupation, gender, etc. Past grand prize winners are ineligible from competing in the same category (but are welcome to compete in different categories or competitions)
Age Requirements:*
Category I: 23 years of age and younger
Category II: 24 years of age and older
*Competitors will compete in the category at the age they are by the end of the registration period. Competitors (solo, ensemble, mock) will be eligible to enter the lottery to participate in masterclasses with guest artists at the conference.
The solo competition has two age categories:
Category I: 23 years of age and younger
Category II: 24 years of age and older
Competitors will compete in the category at the age they are by the end of the registration period. Competitors will be eligible to enter the lottery to participate in masterclasses with guest artists at the conference.
To compete at IWBC 2027, you need to register to attend the conference. Registration can be found by clicking the link below or by clicking registration in the website menu once conference registration opens. Please note, all conference attendees must be IWBC members so you will be asked to join, renew, or log in before you can register.
Conference Registration
Deadline: April 1, 2027*
*The application will be closed early if the maximum number of participants is reached.
All competitors must register to attend the conference but receive a discounted competitor rate of $150
Solo Competition Fee (Cat 1 or 2): $50
Pianist Rehearsal Fee: $75 (includes one 30 minute rehearsal, the preliminary round performance, and the final round performance-if applicable).
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro, NC
Eligibility: Any occupation and gender are eligible.
Judges will advance only one (1) contestant into the final round for each instrument in each category. ie, Category I will have 1 trumpet advanced, 1 horn advanced, one trombone, etc.) Judges may choose to not advance anyone if the playing is not at standard.
Each contestant will choose one piece from Section A and one piece from Section B. You will declare your choices when you register.
Each contestant will have a 12 minute slot and play a total of 10 minutes in the preliminary round. The 10 minute portion will be chosen by the judges. Finalists will play whole movements etc.
Piano rehearsal times will be assigned on Monday or Tuesday before the conference begins.
All competitions are judged against an international standard of performance. Because of this, there may be certain instruments who do not advance someone to the finals and/or prizes not awarded. In certain cases, someone may be offered a 2nd or 3rd place prize but not a first to keep in line with the international standards.
Ginger Turner Ensemble Competition
Created by the IWBC Board of Directors, the Ginger Turner Ensemble Competition premiered at the 2017 IWBC Conference at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. The current requirements of the competition include the following:
- Open to all ages and genders
- Only like instrument ensembles may participate
- Ensembles should have three or more members
- Selected ensembles from the preliminary round will advance and compete for a grand prize.
PRIZE PACKAGE
1st Prize: $5,000
2nd Prize: $3,000
3rd Prize: $1,000
Competition winners will receive prize money which is fundraised in conjunction with the Holiday Brass Concerts that occur annually in St. Louis, MO and Baltimore, MD.
Ensemble Competition Information
Each ensemble will prepare a piece or multi-movement piece totaling 8-12 minutes in length.
The preliminary slot is 10 minutes. You should expect to play approximately 8 minutes of music. For the final round, be prepared to play entire piece.
Coming soon!
IWBC’s instrumental competitions are open to anyone: any occupation, gender, etc. Past grand prize winners are ineligible from competing in the same category (but are welcome to compete in different categories or competitions)
Age Requirements:*
Category I: 23 years of age and younger
Category II: 24 years of age and older
*Competitors will compete in the category at the age they are by the end of the registration period. Competitors (solo, ensemble, mock) will be eligible to enter the lottery to participate in masterclasses with guest artists at the conference.
Open to all ages
To compete at IWBC 2027, you need to register to attend the conference. Registration can be found by clicking the link below or by clicking registration in the website menu once conference registration opens. Please note, all conference attendees must be IWBC members so you will be asked to join, renew, or log in before you can register.
Conference Registration
Deadline: April 1, 2027*
*The application will be closed early if the maximum number of participants is reached.
All competitors must register to attend the conference but receive a discounted competitor rate of $150
Ensemble Competition Fee: $25 per person in the ensemble
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro, NC
Venue: the Hartt School
Eligibility: Any occupation, age, and gender are eligible.
Judges: Selected from IWBC members
Contestants will upload the original score, which will be digitally delivered to the judges.
Groups must be composed of like instruments (for example 3 trumpet players, trombone choir, horn quartet) and a minimum of 3 members. Tuba/Euphonium ensembles are permitted and ensembles may have various members of their instrument family (for example: alto, tenor, and bass trombone in a trombone choir).
Each ensemble will prepare a piece or multi-movement piece totaling 8-12 minutes in length.
The preliminary slot is 10 minutes. You should expect to play approximately 8 minutes of music. The cuts will not be given to you until the competition begins. For the final round, be prepared to play entire piece.
The final round is open to the public and all rounds will be judged blind.
All competitions are judged against an international standard of performance. Because of this, there may be certain instruments who do not advance someone to the finals and/or prizes not awarded. In certain cases, someone may be offered a 2nd or 3rd place prize but not a first to keep in line with the international standards.
Contestants will upload the original score, which will be digitally delivered to the judges.
Groups must be composed of like instruments (for example 3 trumpet players, trombone choir, horn quartet) and a minimum of 3 members. Tuba/Euphonium ensembles are permitted and ensembles may have various members of their instrument family (for example: alto, tenor, and bass trombone in a trombone choir).
Each ensemble will prepare a piece or multi-movement piece totaling 8-12 minutes in length.
The preliminary slot is 10 minutes. You should expect to play approximately 8 minutes of music. For the final round, be prepared to play entire piece.
The final round is open to the public and all rounds will be judged blind.
Marie Speziale Mock Orchestra Audition Competition
IWBC is thrilled to be partnered with Bach Brass and Conn Brass for our mock orchestral competition. In honor of pioneering trumpet legend, Marie Speziale, the IWBC Mock Orchestra competition is now known as the Marie Speziale Mock Orchestra Competition. Bach Brass and Conn Brass will be awarding a brand new instrument to the first place prize winners of the trumpet, french horn, and tenor trombone categories of the competition.
PRIZE PACKAGE
Trumpet:
- 1st Prize – $300 & a new trumpet from Bach Brass/Conn Brass
- 2nd Prize – $120
- 3rd Prize – $60
Horn:
- 1st Prize – $300 & a new horn from Bach Brass/Conn Brass
- 2nd Prize – $120
- 3rd Prize – $60
Tenor Trombone:
- 1st Prize – $300 & a new trombone from Bach Brass/Conn Brass
- 2nd Prize – $120
- 3rd Prize – $60
Bass Trombone:
- 1st Prize – $300
- 2nd Prize – $160
- 3rd Prize -$60
Tuba:
- 1st Prize – $300
- 2nd Prize – $160
- 3rd Prize -$60
Mock Orchestra Competition Information
Coming in December 2026
Coming soon!
IWBC’s instrumental competitions are open to anyone: any occupation, gender, etc. Past grand prize winners are ineligible from competing in the same category (but are welcome to compete in different categories or competitions)
Open to all ages
To compete at IWBC 2027, you need to register to attend the conference. Registration can be found by clicking the link below or by clicking registration in the website menu once conference registration opens. Please note, all conference attendees must be IWBC members so you will be asked to join, renew, or log in before you can register.
Conference Registration
Deadline: April 1, 2027*
*The application will be closed early if the maximum number of participants is reached.
All competitors must register to attend the conference but receive a discounted competitor rate of $150
Mock Orchestra Fee: $30
Mock Band Fee: $30
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro, NC
Eligibility: Any occupation, age, and gender are eligible.
Judges: Selected from IWBC members
Contestants play a selection from the audition list chosen by the judges, call backs will be the same day if needed.
All competitions are judged against an international standard of performance. Because of this, there may be certain instruments who do not advance someone to the finals and/or prizes not awarded. In certain cases, someone may be offered a 2nd or 3rd place prize but not a first to keep in line with the international standards.
Mock Military Band Audition Competition
IWBC sponsors mock audition competitions for orchestra and wind band. Competitors will receive feedback from the panel of judges and are eligible to win cash prizes. Open to all ages, gender, and experience level.
PRIZE PACKAGE
Trumpet:
- 1st Prize – $300
- 2nd Prize – $120
- 3rd Prize – $60
Horn:
- 1st Prize – $300
- 2nd Prize – $120
- 3rd Prize – $60
Tenor Trombone:
- 1st Prize – $300
- 2nd Prize – $120
- 3rd Prize – $60
Bass Trombone:
- 1st Prize – $300
- 2nd Prize – $160
- 3rd Prize -$60
Euphonium:
- 1st Prize – $300
- 2nd Prize – $160
- 3rd Prize -$60
Tuba:
- 1st Prize – $300
- 2nd Prize – $160
- 3rd Prize -$60
Mock Orchestra Competition Information
Coming in December 2026
Coming soon!
IWBC’s instrumental competitions are open to anyone: any occupation, gender, etc. Past grand prize winners are ineligible from competing in the same category (but are welcome to compete in different categories or competitions)
Open to all ages
To compete at IWBC 2027, you need to register to attend the conference. Registration can be found by clicking the link below or by clicking registration in the website menu once conference registration opens. Please note, all conference attendees must be IWBC members so you will be asked to join, renew, or log in before you can register.
Conference Registration
Deadline: April 1, 2027*
*The application will be closed early if the maximum number of participants is reached.
All competitors must register to attend the conference but receive a discounted competitor rate of $150
Mock Orchestra Fee: $30
Mock Band Fee: $30
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro, NC
Eligibility: Any occupation, age, and gender are eligible.
Judges: Selected from IWBC members
Contestants play a selection from the audition list chosen by the judges, call backs will be the same day if needed.
All competitions are judged against an international standard of performance. Because of this, there may be certain instruments who do not advance someone to the finals and/or prizes not awarded. In certain cases, someone may be offered a 2nd or 3rd place prize but not a first to keep in line with the international standards.
Jazz Competition
IWBC is thrilled to bring back the jazz competition, founded in 2025 and open to all ages and genders.
PRIZE PACKAGE
Category 1 (23 & younger)
- 1st Prize – $1,000
- 2nd Prize – $500
- 3rd Prize – $250
Category 2 (24 & older)
- 1st Prize – $1,000
- 2nd Prize – $500
- 3rd Prize – $250
Jazz Competition Information
Coming in December 2026. Past repertoire included assigned jazz standards and a tune of choice.
Coming soon!
IWBC’s instrumental competitions are open to anyone: any occupation, gender, etc. Past grand prize winners are ineligible from competing in the same category (but are welcome to compete in different categories or competitions)
Category 1: 23 and younger
Category 2: 24 and older
Competitors will compete in the category at the age they are by the end of the registration period. Competitors will be eligible to enter the lottery to participate in masterclasses with guest artists at the conference.
To compete at IWBC 2027, you need to register to attend the conference. Registration can be found by clicking the link below or by clicking registration in the website menu once conference registration opens. Please note, all conference attendees must be IWBC members so you will be asked to join, renew, or log in before you can register.
Conference Registration
Deadline: April 1, 2027*
*The application will be closed early if the maximum number of participants is reached.
All competitors must register to attend the conference but receive a discounted competitor rate of $150
Jazz Competition Fee: $50
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro, NC
Eligibility: Any occupation, age, and gender are eligible.
Judges: Selected from IWBC members
All competitions are judged against an international standard of performance. Because of this, there may be certain instruments who do not advance someone to the finals and/or prizes not awarded. In certain cases, someone may be offered a 2nd or 3rd place prize but not a first to keep in line with the international standards.
Round 1 is performed live with a backing track.
The final round is performed live with a live combo. Finalists will receive 1 rehearsal with the combo prior to the competition performance.
This is subject to change
Adjudicate a Competition
Are you interested in adjudicating one of our competitions? Please submit the form below. IWBC offers significantly discounted registration for judges ($100). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@myiwbc.org