To download the full (all divisions) copy of the rules, click here.
1. Registration
1.1. All applicants must register and pay ALL FEES ON-LINE at the NTC website: www.nationaltrumpetcomp.org (online registration will open November 1, 2023). Applicants must register online using a valid credit card and ONE (only) valid e-mail address. An applicant’s recording will not be reviewed unless payment is received by the December 15, 2023 deadline.
1.2. Students enrolled full time or home schooled at the time of the Competition who are either US citizens or foreign students studying in the USA may apply.
1.3. All applicants must submit a video recording of their competition piece. Applicants are responsible for mastering this process and for making a successful upload. Applicants are strongly urged to verify that their link functions properly prior to submitting their application. Every aspect of this part of the process is the responsibility of the applicant. Applicant videos should not contain any content or pieces beyond their competition repertoire.
1.3.1. Solos composed with or without piano accompaniment are permitted. Works that include a published piano part must be recorded with live accompaniment.
1.3.2. Stopping/starting, editing, or splicing of any kind is prohibited. Attempts to circumvent NTC’s efforts to keep the competition fair for all violates the ethics of integrity to which NTC aspires. Please submit an honest, un-edited video.
1.3.3. Videos must contain exactly and only what is to be performed in the live rounds, including any cuts. Performances are limited to 8 minutes, including stage entrance, tuning, and performing. If a video exceeds 8 minutes, the preliminary judges will listen to only the first 8 minutes of the video.
1.3.4. Recordings must be successfully submitted by 11:59:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, December 15, 2023; there will be no exceptions. Videos must be uploaded UNLISTED (not Private) to YouTube and the link to the video provided in the online NTC application. Videos not viewable by the judging panel will be disqualified.
1.3.5. Uploaded videos may NOT contain any indications of the applicant’s school or teacher affiliations. Video titles and description should contain ONLY the title and composer of the work performed, nothing more. YouTube channel names used in uploading the video submissions may contain entrants’ personal name but should NOT include a school/teacher name or affiliation.
2. Age Requirements (applicants must meet both parameters of age and school enrollment)
2.2. High School Solo Division: Open to anyone grades 9 – 12, born after March 11, 2004, and enrolled full time in a high school or home schooled.
3. Solo Divisions
3.1. All solo works requiring piano must be performed with live piano accompaniment.
3.1.1. Entrants submitting accompanied works that are self-published or deemed by NTC to be lesser-known will be notified of such by the Collaborative Pianists’ Chair by December 22, 2023, and will be required to provide a pianist at their expense for the live rounds. If a competitor is unwilling to secure an outside pianist, they may withdraw by midnight Eastern Standard Time, December 31, 2023 and receive a refund of their application fee; no refunds will be given for withdrawals after this date.
3.1.2. All other applicants who requested an NTC pianist in any of the solo divisions must:
- Upon notification of acceptance to the live rounds, send a PDF of their piano score to their assigned pianist no later than midnight Eastern Standard Time, February 1, 2024.
- Include the applicant’s name, division, phone, and e-mail legibly shown on the front page of the PDF.
- Clearly mark any cuts directly on the music.
Applicants who do NOT request an NTC pianist at the time of their original application will not be allowed to request one at any time thereafter.
- JANUARY 20, 2024 – Notification of acceptance to the live rounds will be posted on the NTC website. Pianist assignments and contact information will also be posted that day, along with a rehearsal and competition schedule. This schedule is to be considered final at the time of publication; no adjustments may be made for any reason.
- FEBRUARY 1, 2024 – Competitors who requested an NTC pianist in their application MUST pay the pianist fee by 11:59 PM on this date, even if they subsequently decide to hire an outside pianist. Any competitor who has failed in either aspect of these submissions will be notified of their delinquency on February 2, and will have 48 hours to rectify the omission, with a penalty of $95. Any failure beyond that deadline will result in disqualification, at which time alternate contestants may be invited. There are NO refunds given to disqualified applications; if an applicant pays the fee online and fails to send their music, NTC will not refund their money.
3.2. Prior winners may enter the same Division as many times as age and school enrollment parameters allow.
3.3. Applicants may enter only that category which age and school enrollment parameters dictate.
3.4. All soloists are limited to 8 minutes on stage, which includes entrance, set-up, tuning, and performing. This will be strictly enforced.
3.5. Competitors performing with NTC pianists are limited to one internal cut within any movement(s) submitted, and a contestant may omit a movement’s beginning and/or ending as well. Those not performing with an NTC pianist are not bound by this limitation, but are advised that adjudicators will take musical coherence into account. Any alterations must be the same in the applicant’s video as in each round for which they qualify.
3.6. Any combination of movements within one piece is allowed, in any order, as long as the 8 minute time limit is followed, and only one internal cut is used.
3.7. All competitors admitted to the live rounds must be available to perform at any time for the duration of their portion of the competition.
3.7.1. Any competitor unable to perform at their assigned time will be disqualified.
3.7.3. High School, Undergraduate, and Graduate soloists using NTC pianists must be available to rehearse beginning at 12 pm Friday, March 8. A soloist unable to rehearse at their assigned time will be allowed to perform without rehearsal, if their pianist consents.
8. Copyright
Applicants performing any unpublished arrangements must adhere to copyright law: All works published in the United States before 1923 are in the public domain. Works published after 1922, but before 1978 are protected for 95 years from the date of publication. If the work was created, but not published, before 1978, the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. To learn more about copyright laws as it pertains to musicians, visit https://www.copyright.gov/engage/musicians/.
9. Fees
9.1. Application fee for all solo and excerpt divisions is $85 per applicant.
9.3. NTC Collaborative Pianist fee is $95 per applicant.
10. Prizes
Cash prizes will be awarded for First, Second and Third Place:
High School Solo: $2000, $1000, $500
11. Rules Disclaimer (Please Read!)
Final interpretation of all rules remains with the National Trumpet Competition. All applicants accept total responsibility for the understanding of and compliance with NTC rules and regulations. Failure to adhere to NTC rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of all fees.
All questions concerning NTC rules should be submitted in writing to:
All other questions concerning NTC applications should be submitted in writing to: