Norma Hooks Young Artist International Competition

The Norma Hooks Young Artist International Competition alternates each year between oboe and bassoon and is for players who have not reached their 22nd birthday by the date of the final round of the competition.

Online applications open January 5, 2027

Final Round Judges

• Indira Quintero Fonseca (Costa Rica), Universidad de Costa Rica
• Carlos Galdámez (Guatemala), Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Guatemala
• Gianfranco Bortolato (Italy), Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
• Galit Kaunitz (USA), Colorado State University
• Margaret Owens (USA), Indiana University, Peabody Institute

Preliminary Judges

• Victoria Chung (South Korea/USA), Principal Oboe, Richmond Symphony
• Jonathan Davis (USA), Assistant Professor of Oboe, Arizona State University
• Nestor Solorzano (Venezuela/China), Principal Oboe, Sichuan Symphony Orchestra
• Céline Moinet (France/Germany), Principal Oboe, Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, Professor of Oboe, Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden
• Shefali Pryor (Australia), Principal Oboe, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Lecturer in Oboe, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

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

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.