Winds, Brass, and Percussion Competition

***Click here for 2025 Competition Results***

Registration:

Due Date: February 16, 2025

• Performers must complete the application and submit the registration fee in order to perform.
• Performers must be Arizona residents.
• Performers must be in grades seven through twelve, no younger than 13 (acceptable if student is turning 13 within the school year) and no older than 18 years of age.
• Early application is advised. It is possible that all available slots for performers will be filled before the end of the application submission period. If all slots are filled before the end of the application submission process, please email competition@azmusicfest.org to be placed on a waiting list.
• No refunds will be given in the event of performer withdrawal.

Date & Time:

• The Competition will be held on Sunday, March 2 from 1:00 pm-5:00 pm.
  • We ask families to please reserve the entire duration of the competition until performers receive their exact timeslot.
  • The competition may begin earlier or later depending on the number of performers.
• Performers will be notified of their exact timeslot the week following the application due date.
• Performers will be assigned an arrival time that is before their scheduled warm-up time.

Divisions:

• Divisions are determined by grade level.
  • Performers may only perform during their division.

Location:

• The competition will be held at Arizona Musicfest: 7950 E Thompson Peak Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85255. (Map)

Music:

• Music must be standard literature chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modernist, or Contemporary periods.
  • Simplified versions & transcriptions are not accepted.
  • Multiple movements from a work may be entered as one selection.
  • If the performer’s piece(s) exceed the length of the allotted competition time, please note the judges may stop a performance in order to stay on schedule, with no penalty to the performer.
• Memorization is not required.
• Accompanied pieces must be performed with an accompanist.
  • Performers are responsible for arranging their own accompanist. If assistance finding an accompanist is needed, please email competition@azmusicfest.org.
• Performers must provide three total copies of their score(s):
  • Scores should not have markings that would indicate the performer or teacher’s identities.
  • Score(s) must have measures numbered and cuts marked (if any) so the judges can use them as a reference during the performance.

Prizes:

• Standout performers from each Division may be awarded cash prizes in the amounts detailed below.
• Awarded performers may be invited to perform in the Young Musicians Concert Series in the MIM Music Theater.
• Awarded performers may receive additional performance opportunities as they are announced.

Adjudication:

• Judges will stop performers if their performance exceeds the competition time limits. There is no penalty if a performer needs to be stopped for this reason.
• Judges may elect to award Honorable Mentions to students demonstrating high levels of artistry in their performances. Ratings will only be awarded with unanimous recommendation from the committee.
• Judges have the option to withhold prizes.
• All teachers will receive judges’ comments within a week of the adjudication date.
• Musicfest’s competitions do not have a prescribed scoring system, and thus require that all judges hear all the competition participants to allow for proper verbal deliberation and a fair outcome. Since selective recusal is not allowed, by agreeing to be on this jury panel, the judges agree that they will not submit their own students as competitors. Furthermore, performers are ineligible to participate if they or their principal teacher have a familial relationship with a judge.

Questions? Email competition@azmusicfest.org