2027 Norma Hooks Young Artist International Competition for Bassoon Full Guidelines and Repertoire

IDRS sponsors two international competitions for oboe and bassoon that take place each year during its annual conference. The Fernand Gillet- Hugo Fox Competition is for bassoonists and oboists who have not reached their 31st birthday by the date of the Final Round of the competition and the Norma Hooks Young Artist Competition is for those who have not reached their 22nd birthday by the date of the Final Round of the competition. Both competitions alternate each year between oboe and bassoon.

The International Double Reed Society is pleased to announce the 20th annual performance competition for young artists during the 2027 IDRS Conference. The competition is dedicated to the memory of Norma Hooks, IDRS honorary member and lifeblood of our organization with her tireless dedication to our membership, annual conferences, and Executive Committee meetings.

1. PRIZES
First Prize for the 2027 competition is a $4000 US cash award. The Second Prize is a $3000 US cash award. The third prize is a $2000 US cash award.

2. ELIGIBILITY
Bassoonists who have not reached their 22nd birthday by the date of the Final Round of the competition (June 4, 2027) are eligible to enter, but no previous first prize winner of the IDRS Young Artist Competition is eligible to participate. All entrants must be current members of the IDRS.

3. PRELIMINARY ROUND
Competition entries will be accepted starting on January 5, 2027 through an online application process. All entrants must submit an online application, and an application fee of $50 US payable by credit card (VISA and MasterCard only). All entrants must electronically submit a video recording of the entire Preliminary Stage repertoire list below. Any evidence of editing within movements will result in disqualification. Instructions on applying and uploading video recordings will be available starting on January 5, 2025 at: https://idrs.org/competitions/
To be considered, all application materials must be submitted on or before March 1, 2027

4. FINAL ROUND
The Preliminary Round judges will select three finalists, with the results announced by April 15, 2027. The final round will be heard by a distinguished panel of judges in an open concert at the International Double Reed Society meeting at the International Double Reed Society Conference at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, USA, June 2-6, 2027. The judges may select portions of the Final Round repertoire for performance at the competition. A professional accompanist will be provided for the contestants; however, contestants may elect to use an accompanist of their own choosing at their own expense. The decision of the judges is final. The judges may elect to award fewer prizes than outlined above or no prizes. IDRS will pay the registration fee and provide meals and lodging for each of the finalists for the duration of the Conference. The winner of the competition will agree to perform a 30 min program selected from the competition repertoire in a concert during the 2026 IDRS Conference.

Any questions about competition repertoire or procedures can be directed to the Chair of the Competition:

Lorelei Dowling, Chair
IDRS Norma Hooks Young Artist Competition for Bassoon
E-mail: nhyacbassoon@idrs.org

For membership information, contact:

Amy Christensen,
Membership Coordinator
Email: membership@idrs.org
www.idrs.org/join

To be considered, all application materials must be submitted on or before March 1, 2027.

Competition Repertoire

All applicants and contestants shall perform from an edition of the published printed music. Performing from illegally printed copies of any form will immediately disqualify that contestant. Legal copyright for any composition shall be determined and enforced based on the copyright laws of the United States of America, regardless of place of purchase. The use of e-tablets will be allowed only when the contestant can show (by having the original music or a receipt of purchase thereof) that they have previously obtained the published printed music prior to scanning it into the tablet.