2027 Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox International Competition for Oboe 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 47th annual Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox International Competition being held for oboists during the 2027 IDRS Conference. The competition is dedicated to the memory of the late master oboist and honorary member of IDRS, Fernand Gillet, and to the memory of master bassoonist Hugo Fox, Principal Bassoonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1922–1949.

1. PRIZES
First Prize for the 2027 competition is an $8,000 USD cash award. Second Prize is a $5,000 USD cash award. Other finalists will receive a $2,500 USD cash award.

2. ELIGIBILITY
Oboists who have not reached their 31st birthday by the date of the Final Round of the competition (June 5, 2027) are eligible to enter, but no previous first prize winner of the Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox 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 $80 USD payable by credit card (VISA and MasterCard only). All entrants must electronically submit a video recording of the entire Preliminary Round repertoire list below. Any evidence of editing within movements will result in disqualification. Instructions on applying and uploading video recordings will be available from January 5, 2027 at: https://idrs.org/competitions/
To be considered, all application materials must be submitted on or before March 1, 2027.

4. FINAL ROUND
Up to five finalists will be selected by the Preliminary Round judges 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 Conference at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington 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. The 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 agrees to perform the Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto in A minor in a concert during the 2027 IDRS Conference.

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

Jung Choi, Chair
IDRS Gillet-Fox Competition for Oboe
Email: gficoboe@idrs.org

For membership information, contact:

Amy Christensen,
Membership Coordinator
Email: membership@idrs.org
https://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 a digital copy or the published printed music prior to scanning it into the tablet.