WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Trumpet
- Next edition
- Winter Edition 2026
- Applications until
- December 1
- Entry fee
- €37
- Format
- online, video
Rules for participants in «Trumpet» nomination 2026
Online trumpet competition: who can enter and how it works
The trumpet nomination of the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition is an online trumpet competition judged entirely from video. Instead of travelling to a hall, you record your programme at home, in class or on a school stage and send the file with the application form.
Trumpeters from any country can enter as soloists, in a duo, in the Student – teacher section or in an ensemble. The competition runs three editions a year – spring, summer and winter – and applications are open all year round, so you pick the edition whose deadline suits your preparation.
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 trumpet: what to choose
The programme consists of two contrasting pieces of your choice. Soloists play from memory and perform each piece completely; duos and ensembles may use music. Two movements of one concerto, sonata or suite count as two pieces, which is often the simplest way to show both lyrical playing and articulation.
Check the time limit of your category before you settle on a programme: a full Arutiunian or Haydn concerto does not fit every section, so pair one movement with a shorter piece. If a work is written for trumpet and piano, the rules require you to play it with an accompanist.
Programmes that often work well (suggestions only, not requirements):
- JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR: Purcell, Trumpet Tune; Jeremiah Clarke, Prince of Denmark’s March; a simple Baroque air paired with a march-like piece.
- JUNIOR ARTIST: Goedicke, Concert Etude; the slow movement or finale of the Haydn concerto in E-flat.
- SENIOR ACADEMIC: a movement of the Hummel concerto; Enescu, Légende.
- SENIOR ARTIST: Hindemith, Sonata (two movements); Arutiunian, Concerto, or Tomasi, Concerto (selected sections).
Recording the video: tips for trumpet players
The video is one continuous take with no editing, and the performer must be clearly visible from start to finish. Before playing, state your name, year of birth and the competition name, or show an A4 sheet with this information for 3–5 seconds.
The trumpet bell sends sound straight ahead, so do not point it into the phone or microphone: place the camera slightly to one side and a few steps back, filming in landscape. Test your loudest high passage for distortion first. If you change mutes, keep them within reach on a stand so the change happens inside the same take. More advice is on the page how to record a video; the identification rules are in the competition rules.
Application, fee and certificates
Send your trumpet entry through the online application form. The entry fee is 37 euros for a soloist and the same 37 euros for a whole duo or ensemble (payment options). 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. Every participant receives an e-certificate, and teachers can download a letter of appreciation. Full rules – video requirements and identification, documents, fee and scoring system – are on the rules page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to play the trumpet programme by heart?
Soloists do: both pieces are played from memory and in full. Duos and ensembles may play from the music.
Can two movements of one trumpet concerto count as my programme?
Yes. Parts of a sonata, suite or concerto may be performed as the two pieces of the programme.
Do I need a pianist?
Only if the piece is written for trumpet with accompaniment: in that case the rules oblige you to play it with an accompanist. Unaccompanied works can be played alone.
Can my teacher play with me?
Yes, in the Student – teacher section. The category is set by the student’s age.
How is the category of an ensemble decided?
By the average age of all members, not counting the accompanist or illustrator. An ensemble has 3–12 members, and at least 50% of the instruments must belong to this nomination.
Related pages: the trombone and French horn nominations, results of past editions and the list of participants.