WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Oboe

Next edition: Winter Edition 2026
Applications until: December 1
Entry fee: €37
Format: online, video

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «OBOE» NOMINATION 2026

Oboe competition online: who can enter and how it works

This oboe competition online is part of the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition and accepts oboists from any country. You can enter as a soloist, as a duo, as a student playing with their teacher, or as an ensemble in which instruments of this nomination make up at least half of the group. Each participant records a performance video – at home, at school or in a hall – and the jury evaluates the recording.

Three editions are held every year – spring, summer and winter – and the application form stays open throughout the year. Deadlines and results dates for the oboe are in the schedule below.

Schedule

The competition is completely online and is held annually. Applications are accepted 365 days a year. The competitor selects one of three editions and sends an application.

SPRING EDITION
Application deadline is March 15th. Announcement of the results on April 05.

SUMMER EDITION
Acceptance of applications until June 1. Announcement of the results on June 15.

WINTER EDITION
Application deadline is December 1th. Announcement of the results on December 15th.

Program

The competition program includes two (preferably diverse) compositions of the participant’s choice. Program is to be performed by heart and completely (soloist). Duos and ensembles are not obligated to perform compositions by heart. It is allowed to perform parts (sonata, suite, concert…) as two pieces.

Participants

Right to participate is given to all competitors from all the countries in the world.

Soloists:

JUNIOR

Category I: born in 2020 – maximum 5 minutes
Category II: born in 2019 – maximum 5 minutes
Category III: born in 2018 – maximum 6 minutes

MIDDLE JUNIOR

Category IV: born in 2017 – maximum 6 minutes
Category V: born in 2016 – maximum 7 minutes
Category VI: born in 2015 – maximum 7 minutes
Category VII: born in 2014 – maximum 8 minutes
Category VIII: born in 2013 – maximum 8 minutes

JUNIOR ARTIST

Category IX: born in 2012 – maximum 10 minutes
Category X: born in 2011 – maximum 12 minutes
Category XI: born in 2009 and younger – up to 12 minutes

SENIOR ACADEMIC

Category XII: born in 2007 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XIII: born in 2005 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XIV: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XV: born in 2001 and younger – maximum 13 minutes

SENIOR ARTIST

Category XVI: born in 1999 and younger – maximum 15 minutes
Category XVII: born in 1998 and older – maximum 15 minutes

DUO (two similar or two different instruments)

Duo can perform with only one accompanist. Age category is defined by average age of all participants, without illustrator or accompanist.

Category XVIII: born in 2018 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
Category XIX: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
Category XX: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXII: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXIII: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXIV: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXV: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XXVI: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XXVII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes

Student – teacher

In the section “Student – teacher” the age group is determined by the age of the student.

Category XXVIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXIX: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXX: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXXI: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXXII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXXIII: born in 2005 and older – maximum 12 minutes

ENSEMBLE (of 3-12 members)

The ensemble must contain at least 50% of homogeneous instruments of this nomination. Ensemble can perform with only one accompanist and/or one illustrator. Age category is defined by average age of all participants, without illustrator (accompanist).

Category XXXIV: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
Category XXXV: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXXVI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXXVII: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXXVIII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXXIX: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XL: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XLI: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes

Repertoire for oboe: what to choose

Prepare two compositions of your own choice that contrast with each other: a cantabile piece shows tone and breath control, a lively one shows articulation and finger work. Soloists perform from memory and play every piece through; duos and ensembles may keep the music on the stand. Two movements from one sonata, suite or concerto are accepted as two pieces – a practical option for baroque repertoire, where movements are short.

Oboe playing tires the embouchure, so build a program that fits comfortably inside your time limit instead of filling it to the last second; you will probably need several takes. Limits run from 5 minutes in the first JUNIOR categories to 15 in SENIOR ARTIST.

Examples by section (recommendations only):

JUNIOR: Purcell, Rondeau from Abdelazer (arrangement); a minuet or gavotte by Handel
MIDDLE JUNIOR: Telemann, Sonata in A minor (two movements); Marcello, Concerto in D minor, slow movement
JUNIOR ARTIST: Cimarosa, Concerto (arranged by Arthur Benjamin); Schumann, Romances
SENIOR ACADEMIC and SENIOR ARTIST: Mozart, Oboe Concerto in C major; Saint-Saëns, Sonata; Poulenc, Sonata; Britten, Metamorphoses after Ovid for solo oboe

Recording the video: tips for oboists

The recording has to be a single take without editing, pauses or cuts, and the oboist must be clearly visible. Put the camera in front of you, slightly to one side and a little above the bell, so that the face, the embouchure, both hands and the whole instrument are in the frame; use horizontal format, which the rules recommend. In a very small room the focused oboe sound can turn harsh – a larger space with a little natural echo usually suits it better. Soak the reed and test it right before the take. With a pianist, keep the piano lid partly closed so the balance favours the oboe. Begin with an oral introduction or an A4 sheet on the music stand. Details: video recording tips and rules.

Application, fee and certificates

Use the online application form to enter. The fee is 37 euros per soloist, and the same 37 euros covers a whole duo or ensemble (payment page). In the jury’s scoring for the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections, 90 to 100 points means a Gold award, and the Diploma starts at 65 points; JUNIOR ARTIST (32.50–50 points) and the SENIOR sections (16.25–25 points) use their own scales, described in the rules. After the edition, download participant certificates and letters of appreciation for teachers. Video requirements and identification, documents, fees and the scoring system are described in the full rules.

Frequently asked questions

Must I play my oboe program from memory?

Soloists, yes: the whole program is memorised and played complete. Duos and ensembles are not obliged to memorise it.

Who evaluates oboe performances?

The international jury, whose members are chosen from renowned music teachers, performing artists, conductors and chamber musicians. Contestants are ranked by the average score, and the number of awards is not limited.

Is piano accompaniment allowed?

Yes, and if a work is written for oboe and accompaniment, the rules require an accompanist. A duo or ensemble may have only one.

Can an oboist form a duo with a different instrument?

Yes. A duo may consist of two similar or two different instruments; the category depends on the average age of the two players.

Which category do I enter as a soloist?

The one that matches your year of birth in the list above. For example, Category IX is for oboists born in 2012 (up to 10 minutes) and Category X for those born in 2011 (up to 12 minutes).

You may also want to read about the bassoon nomination, browse results or see the participants.