Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox International Competition

The Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox International Competition (dedicated to the memory of the late master oboist and honorary member of the IDRS, Fernand Gillet, and to the memory of master bassoonist Hugo Fox, principal bassoonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1922-1949) is for bassoonists and oboists who have not reached their 31st birthday by the date of the final round of the competition.

Applications are accepted January 5-March 15, 2026

Preliminary Judges

• Elena Comelli (Italy), Second Bassoon, Halle Orchestra in Manchester
• Joshua Elmore (USA), Principal Bassoon, San Francisco Symphony
• Fei Xie (USA/China), Principal Bassoon, Minnesota Orchestra, Adjunct Professor of Bassoon, University of Minnesota
• Leyla Zamora (USA/Costa Rica) Bassoon and Contrabassoon, San Diego Symphony Orchestra
• Karoline Zurl (Germany) Principal Bassoon, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Adjunct Professor of Bassoon, Hanover University of Music, Drama, and Media

Applications are accepted January 5-March 15, 2026

To be considered, all application materials must be submitted on or before March 15, 2026.

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.