WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Trombone

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

Rules for participants in «Trombone» nomination 2026

Trombone competition online: who can enter and how it works

This is the trombone competition online within WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition: trombonists submit a performance video, and the jury assesses the recording rather than a live round.

The nomination is open worldwide to soloists, duos, Student – teacher pairs and ensembles in which at least half of the instruments are trombones. There are three editions every year (spring, summer, winter), and the application form stays open in every month, so a student can enter when the programme is ready rather than wait for a single annual date.

Schedule

The competition is completely online and is held annually. Applications are accepted 365 days a year. The contestant 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 trombone: what to choose

You need two pieces of your own choice, ideally different in tempo and character. A soloist plays the whole programme by heart and without cuts; duos and ensembles are free to read from the score. Two movements from the same sonata, suite or concerto are accepted as two separate pieces.

Single-movement concert pieces such as Guilmant’s Morceau symphonique already take a good share of the time limit, so the second work should be short and contrasting. Add up the timing of both pieces with the pauses and compare it with the maximum for your category in the list above. Works written with piano must be played with an accompanist.

Ideas by age section (recommendations, not a set list):

JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR: Saint-Saëns, The Elephant (arrangement); Handel, Where’er you walk (arrangement); Bizet, Toreador Song (arrangement).
JUNIOR ARTIST: Barat, Andante et Allegro; two movements of a Marcello or Galliard sonata.
SENIOR ACADEMIC: Guilmant, Morceau symphonique; Saint-Saëns, Cavatine; Rimsky-Korsakov, Concerto.
SENIOR ARTIST: Ferdinand David, Concertino (movements); Grøndahl, Concerto; Frank Martin, Ballade.

Recording the video: tips for trombonists

Film the performance in one uninterrupted take without edits; the trombonist must stay clearly visible the whole time. Introduce yourself aloud (name, year of birth, competition) or place an A4 sign with these details in view for 3–5 seconds before the first note.

The slide is the main framing problem: check that it stays inside the picture in the lowest positions. A camera set at a diagonal in front of the player, in landscape orientation, shows the face, the slide arm and the bell without the slide moving towards the lens. In a small, bare room the low register can sound boomy; curtains or a carpet help. If a pianist accompanies you, keep both of you in the shot. See video recording advice and the rules.

Application, fee and certificates

Trombonists apply with the online form, attaching the video and payment confirmation. The fee is 37 euros per soloist; a duo or an ensemble pays 37 euros for the group (how to pay). The award depends on the jury’s average score: in the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections a Gold award is given for 90–100 points and a Diploma from 65 points; JUNIOR ARTIST and the SENIOR sections use other point scales, described in the rules. Participant certificates and letters for teachers are issued after each edition. Video requirements and identification, documents, fee and the scoring system are set out in full on the rules page.

Frequently asked questions

Must a trombone soloist play from memory?

Yes. Soloists perform both pieces by heart and complete; duos and ensembles may use sheet music.

Can a trombonist form a duo with a different instrument?

Yes. A duo may consist of two similar or two different instruments and can perform with one accompanist.

My piece has a piano part. Can I play it without the pianist?

No. If a work is written for instrument and accompaniment, the rules require an accompanist.

When can I send my application?

At any time of the year. Choose the spring, summer or winter edition and check its deadline in the schedule above or in the competition calendar.

Which age category do I enter as a soloist?

Soloist categories follow the year of birth, from Category I (born in 2020) to Category XVII (born in 1998 and older). The time limit grows with age: up to 5 minutes in the youngest JUNIOR categories and up to 15 minutes in SENIOR ARTIST.