Competitions & Scholarships

IHS Awards and Performance Contests

The information below pertains to all IHS Awards and Contest Programs. Please read this information before completing any application material.

Applications for all IHS awards and contests are available online or by contacting the IHS Executive Director. All application materials should be sent to Allison DeMeulle, Executive Director, by email at exec-director@hornsociety.org, or by completing the appropriate online application.

The preferred language for applications is English; however, an applicant whose native language is not English may submit applications in his/her native language, with an English translation. Applicants may seek and receive outside assistance in completing this translation, but versions in both languages must be submitted.

Recorded materials for all IHS contests and awards must be in MP3 Audio. Other formats may be converted for transmission to the judges but may lose quality in the process.

Previous first prize winners of IHS Awards and performance contests are ineligible to participate in the same award or contest. All awards must be used in the year they are awarded. Awards including IHS memberships will include a membership extension for current members.

The International Horn Society reserves the right to cancel competitions or withhold one or more awards if, in the opinion of the judges, conditions warrant such action.

Barry Tuckwell Award

IHS Premier Soloist Competition

Frizelle Orchestral Audition Contests

The Jon Hawkins Memorial Award

Paul Mansur Award

Michael Hatfield Service Award

IHS 57 Competition and Performance Applications

  • REGISTER HERE

    Repertoire

    1. Select a minimum of 10 minutes of music, not to exceed 20 minutes. 

    2. One work must be originally composed for horn quartet. 

    3. Group may select a single movement(s) out of a multi-movement work.

    4. Remaining program should be diverse and should highlight the Quartet’s strengths.

    Competition Rules and Regulations

    1. All Quartet members must be 25 years of age or younger as of January 1, 2025.

    2. All Quartet members must be registered for the full week of IHS 57.

    3. Competition registration deadline is May  1, 2025.

    4. Individual members are responsible for their own travel, room & board, IHS 57 registration, etc.

    5. One Quartet member should be designated as the point person and should complete the registration form on the IHS 57 Marketplace website.

    6. The IHS 57 Horn Quartet Competition Committee has the right to cancel a winner at no cost to IHS 57 if the winner fails to abide by all Competition Rules and Regulations.

    7. Competition Judges reserve the right to not declare a winner.

    8. Quartets may not perform with a conductor.

    9. Winning Quartet will perform at the Awards Concert on Saturday June 28th, 2025. 

    10. For those wishing to apply for multiple competitions, please submit separate forms.

  • REGISTER HERE

    Repertoire

    1. Select a minimum of 10 minutes of music, not to exceed 20 minutes. 

    2. One work must be originally for horn ensemble. 

    3. Group may select a single movement(s) out of a multi-movement work.

    4. Remaining program should be diverse and should highlight the Ensemble’s strengths.

    5. Chosen repertoire should be performed one on a part, no doubled parts.

    Competition Rules and Regulations

    1. Horn Ensemble is defined as 6 or more players.

    2. All Ensemble members must be 25 years of age or younger as of January 1, 2025.

    3. All Ensemble members must be registered for the full week of IHS 57.

    4. Competition registration deadline is May 1, 2025.

    5. Individual members are responsible for their own travel, room & board, IHS 57 registration, etc.

    6. One Ensemble member should be designated as the point person and should complete the registration form on the  IHS 57 website. 

    7. Chosen repertoire should be performed one on a part, no doubled parts.

    8. Chosen repertoire may have a varietal number of parts, for example, an 8 horn piece followed by a 12 horn piece, as long as there is one person on a part.

    9. The IHS57 Horn Ensemble Competition Committee has the right to cancel a winner at no cost to IHS57 if the winner fails to abide by all Competition Rules and Regulations.

    10. Competition Judges reserve the right to not declare a winner.

    11. Ensembles may perform with or without a conductor.

    12. Winning Ensemble will perform at the Awards Concert on Saturday June 28, 2025. 

    13. For those wishing to apply for multiple competitions, please submit separate forms.

  • REGISTER HERE

    Repertoire

    1. Required piece: Fingerprints (Paul Bender, Perrin Moss, Simon Mavin & Naomi Saalfield) arr. Shawn Davern [link]

    2. One contrasting tune that falls into any one of the following stylistic categories, including at least one chorus of soloing:

      • Medium Swing

      • Up-tempo Swing

      • Ballad

      • Latin

    3. The competition will take place with a live rhythm section—piano, bass, drums. Please include the names of the tunes you are choosing to play on the registration form and be sure to include the concert pitch key you intend to play them in.

    Competition Rules and Regulations

    1. Competitors must be 25 years of age or younger as of January 1, 2025.

    2. Competitors must be registered for the full week of IHS 57.

    3. Competition registration deadline is May  1, 2025.

    4. Competitors must complete the registration form on the  IHS 57 website.

    5. Competitors are responsible for their own travel, room & board, IHS 57 registration, etc.

    6. The IHS 57 Jazz Horn Competition Committee has the right to cancel a winner at no cost to IHS 57, if the winner fails to abide by all Jazz Horn Competition Rules and Regulations.

    7. Competition Judges reserve the right to not declare a winner.

    8. Competition winner(s) will be awarded a certificate and may be offered an opportunity to perform in a concert during the symposium, at the discretion of the judges.

    9. For those wishing to apply for multiple competitions, please submit separate forms.

  • REGISTER HERE

    Repertoire

    1. Round One

      1. J Mohr/H Chretien L’Automne

      2. J-F Gallay Douze Grands Caprices Op. 32—choose ONE—play with own choice of crook 

    2. Round Two - Choose ONE

      1. Luigi Cherubini Sonata No. 2 (1802)

      2. Franz Danzi Sonata in Eb Op. 28

    Competition Rules and Regulations

    1. All competitors must be registered for the full week of IHS 57.

    2. Competition registration deadline is May 1, 2025. Competitors can complete the registration form on the  IHS 57 website.

    3. Competition is free and open to all players under 29 by Jan 1, 2025.

    4. Individual members are responsible for their own travel, room & board, IHS 57 registration, etc.

    5. The host has the right to cancel the competition at any time if the minimum number of 3 participants is not reached.

    6. An accompanist will be provided, if needed. Competitors may bring their own accompanist. Piano will be tuned to A=440.

    7. The IHS 57 Natural Horn Competition Committee has the right to cancel a winner at no cost to IHS 57 if the winner fails to abide by all Competition Rules and Regulations.

    8. Competition Judges reserve the right to not declare a winner.

    9. Winner will receive a certificate, a performance in masterclass with a natural horn Featured Artist, and a performance in the Closing Concert on Saturday June 28th, 2025.

    10. For those wishing to apply for multiple competitions, please submit separate forms.