The National Trumpet Competition is an annual music competition for students in the US that usually takes place in mid-March. It includes classical and jazz divisions at school through college levels for soloists and ensembles. The competition was formerly held at George Mason University until 2013; and was held at Messiah College in 2014 and 2015. The 2016 competition will be at Columbus State University.
Contents
Applications
Students can register by completing an online form at the competition website, as well as attaching a link to a YouTube or Vimeo video of them performing only a published (including a self-published) composition from the trumpet repertoire, with piano accompaniment. They must also send in an application fee, and an NTC pianist fee (optional). Entrants are selected based on their videos, and are notified of results in mid-January.
Semi-finals and finals
The competition was founded in 1991 by Dr. Dennis Edelbrock, who teaches trumpet at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and finals were held there through 2013.
Semi-finals and finals in each division are now held at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. They are judged by professional trumpeters from around the area including Steven Hendrickson of the National Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Edelbrock, and members from Washington D.C.'s military bands. Depending on the division, there are about 25-50 competitors (except the junior division, which is usually smaller). After the first day, about five soloists and ensembles (although often ranging from 3 to 6) from each division move on to the finals, which usually take place a day or two later and at which one winner is chosen. Second and third place finalists usually also receive an award. The finalists have their finals audition posted on YouTube.