2027 Solo Trombone Competition!
2027 Solo Tenor/Alto Competition
Division 1: Jean-Michel Defaye - À la Maniere de Schumann- Leduc edition
Division 2: Johannes Brahms - Cello Sonata in E minor Mvmt 1- Vienna: Orfeo Mendozzi edition
Division 3: Leopold Mozart - Concerto for Alto Trombone, arr. Adler, Ludwig Edition
2027 Solo Bass Competition
Division 1: Three Easy Pieces- Paul Hindemith, Shott Edition
Division 2: Concerto for Bass Trombone- Thom Ritter George, Accura Edition
Division 3: Concerto for Tuba by Edward Gregson, Novello Edition
Each year the American Trombone Workshop (ATW) hosts its National Solo Competition. This event gives students and young professional trombonists the opportunity to compete against their peers. It has drawn competitors from around the world.
The experience gained through making a quality audition recording and learning how to perform in a competitive environment is invaluable for musicians of any age or performance level. The ever-growing number of entries received is evidence that the National Solo Competition continues to be one of the workshop’s most exciting and anticipated events.
GENERAL RULES & REQUIREMENTS
Submissions for the ATW National Solo Competition 2027 are required to be uploaded to YouTube. The YouTube submission deadline will be December 1, 2026.
2027 American Trombone Workshop date of competitions TBA.
Repertoire
2027 ATW Tenor Trombone Repertoire
| Division | Title | Composer | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | À la Maniere de Schumann | Jean-Michel Defaye | |
| 2 | Cello Suite in E Minor Mvt 1 | Johannes Brahms | |
| 3 | Concerto for Alto Trombone | Leopold Mozart |
2026 ATW Bass Trombone Repertoire
| Division | Title | Composer | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Three Easy Pieces | Paul Hindemith | |
| 2 | Concerto for Bass Trombone | Thom Ritter George | |
| 3 | Concerto for Tuba | Edward Gregson |
Competition Eligibility
AGE REQUIREMENTS
- Division 1 - Ages 18 and under by December 1
- Division 2 - Ages 23 and under by December 1
- Division 3 - Open to all ages
To Qualify for Entry, You Must:
- Observe the submission deadline
- Adhere to the age requirements
- Send a submission in the correct format
- Avoid all spoken dialogue on a recording unless it is explicitly called for in the piece
- Observe instructions regarding YouTube submissions
Submission Instructions
Submission Guidelines:
- Submissions must be uploaded to YouTube. Video Titles are to be set as: ATW National Solo Competition 2027, Name of category, Your name, Title of work
- for example: ATW National Solo Competition 2027, Tenor II, Hank Hankerson, Concertino
- Submit only one YouTube link per piece. If you have any problems with this please email the competition coordinator.
- Submissions must be available on YouTube set to "unlisted" access, at least until results are officially released.
- Submissions must include accompaniment if the piece requires it.
Recording Instructions:
- There is to be no editing of any audio or video within a movement. Submissions do not need to be continuous in between movements. Feel free to record movements separately. Separately recorded movements must be combined and submitted as one YouTube video link.
- If a piece does not contain movements it must be recorded in one take.
- The performer has to be continuously visible throughout the entire performance.
- Video must be recorded from a single camera position. If recording separate movements the performers must be in consistent positions.
- All separate recordings of movements or works must be recorded in the same recording space. Failure to submit congruent videos may be considered reason for disqualification.
- Be sure to carefully set mic gain levels during recording and utilize appropriate mic/camera placement when making your video. If necessary, normalize the audio before submitting. (Adjustment to the overall recorded volume of the track does not constitute as editing for nefarious purpose and will not disqualify a submission.)
- "Automatic gain" features should be disabled on your recording device to allow for an accurate dynamic representation of the performance.
- Video submissions should have audio and video properly synced. Out of sync audio and video may be considered reasons for disqualification. Make sure to preview your final video file before AND after you upload it to ensure that the video remains in-sync throughout your performance.
- Insufficient recording quality may result in disqualification.
- Include a link to your YouTube performance in the form.
Applications for the 2027 ATW National Solo Competition can be submitted via our new application form by using the embedded link on this page. Everyone must use this form. Application deadline is December 1st, 2026. If you have any questions or comments, please email SFC Hank Currey.
Extra info for editing purposes
Each year the American Trombone Workshop (ATW) hosts its National Solo Competition. This event gives students and young professional trombonists the opportunity to compete against their peers. It has drawn competitors from around the world.
The experience gained through making a quality audition recording and learning how to perform in a competitive environment is invaluable for musicians of any age or performance level. The ever-growing number of entries received is evidence that the National Solo Competition continues to be one of the workshop’s most exciting and anticipated events.
GENERAL RULES & REQUIREMENTS
Submissions for the ATW National Solo Competition 2027 are required to be uploaded to YouTube. Pieces that have a piano accompaniment must be recorded with such. The YouTube submission deadline will be December 1, 2026.
The American Trombone Workshop Solo Competitions are for students and young professionals without full time performing positions.
