Collegiate Solo Competition

Eligibility

  • Must be 28 years of age or under on June 29, 2026.

  • Must be registered for the SBF Participant Class.

Rules and Procedures

  • The 2026 SBF Collegiate Solo Competition will be divided into three rounds: a preliminary round, a semi-final round, and a final round. The semi-final and final rounds will be conducted live at the festival.

  • Each candidate must pay a $50 competition entry fee.

  • Trumpet candidates and horn candidates will compete in separate categories for the preliminary and semi-final rounds. Both trumpet and horn candidates will compete head-to-head in the final round.

  • NEW THIS YEAR: judges comments forum

  • Preliminary round submissions are to be submitted with your competition application and must include audio and video.

  • All competition candidates must submit a 2026 SBF Participant application separate from the competition application.

  • Repertoire for the preliminary round video may be recorded with or without piano accompaniment.

  • Recordings must be unedited, but audio gain changes on the entire file are permitted.

  • Candidates may skip over multi-measure rests at their discretion.

  • All recordings must be submitted via a YouTube link. The video link must be “Unlisted” and comments should be disabled. This link should be submitted alongside your competition and festival applications (see below for dates/deadlines).

  • Competition candidates must pay an SBF Competition Entry Fee through the registration form.

  • The semi-final round will be an unaccompanied work of your choice for your instrument.

  • Finalists will be provided with a pianist. No outside pianists will be allowed. Each finalist will be allotted one 25-minute rehearsal with the pianist.

  • All candidates will receive feedback from the judges.

  • All finalists will receive a professional video recording of their final round performance.

Repertoire

TBA

Important Dates

  • Final recording submission deadline to be considered for the competition is May 15th, 2026

  • The SBF will begin notifying candidates who advance to the semi-final round beginning May 15th, 2026