To download the full (all divisions) copy of the rules, click here.
To download the excerpt packet, click here.
- 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, 2025). Applicants must register online using a valid credit card and valid e-mail address. All applications mus be received by the December 5, 2025 (11:59:59 PM Eastern Standard Time) deadline, no exceptions.
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. Any applicant under the age of 18 at the time of application, must have their application submitted by a parent/legal guardian.
1.4. 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.
1.4.1. Solos composed with or without piano accompaniment are permitted. Works that include a published piano part must be recorded with live accompaniment.
1.4.2. 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.
1.4.3. 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.
1.4.4. Recordings must be successfully submitted by 11:59:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, December 5, 2025; 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.
1.4.5. 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.
- Age Requirements (applicants must meet both parameters of age and school enrollment)
2.5. Military Band Excerpt Division: Open to anyone born after March 22, 1997, and enrolled full time in school or home schooled.
- Military Band Excerpt Division
4.1. All excerpts (including those designated as cornet parts) are to be performed on B flat and/or C trumpet.
4.2. Entrants must record the following list in order in one continuous take.
Stephenson: Scram, rehearsal A to 1 measure before rehearsal H
Respighi: Pines of Rome, Trumpet 1, Mvmt 2, Offstage Solo
Vaughan Williams: Toccata Marziale, Solo Cornet, pickups to Figure 7 to Figure 11
Sousa: Hands Across the Sea, Solo Bb Cornet, beginning through mm. 38, no repeats, 2nd ending only
Bugle Call: Taps
4.3. Entrants advanced to live rounds will perform repertoire selected from the preliminary list, as well as those listed below.
Snedecor: Lyrical Etudes for Trumpet, Etude 1, beginning to rehearsal B
Day: Concerto for Wind Ensemble, Trumpet 1, Mvt. IV. mm. 410-430
Gershwin: An American in Paris, Trumpet 1, pickup to Figure 57 to Figure 59
Giroux: La Mezquita de Cordoba, Trumpet 1, mm. 215-224
Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy, Movement 2,Bb Trumpet 1, mm. 19-29
Shostakovich/Hunsberger: Festive Overture, Op. 96, Bb Trumpet 4, pickup to rehearsal 6 to the downbeat of rehearsal 7 and rehearsal 13 to 7 measures after rehearsal 16
Sousa: The Gallant Seventh, Solo Cornet, beginning to Letter G
Williams/Lavender: Summon the Heroes, Trumpet 1, mm. 32-49 in B flat (sounding concert F major)
Bugle Call: To the Color
4.4. On January 15, 2026, preliminary round results will be posted on the NTC website, along with a live competition and rehearsal schedule. This schedule is to be considered final at the time of publication; no adjustments may be made for any reason.
4.5. All competitors admitted to the live rounds must be available to perform at any time for the duration of their portion of the competition; any competitor unable to perform at their assigned time will be disqualified. Quarterfinals may be held as early as the morning of Friday, March 19, 2026.
- Copyright
Applicants performing any unpublished arrangements must adhere to copyright law: All works published in the United States before 1924 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/.
- Fees
9.1. Application fee for all solo and excerpt divisions is $85 per applicant.
- Prizes
Cash prizes will be awarded for First, Second and Third Place:
Military Band Excerpt: $3000, $1500, $750
- Media Release Agreement
12.1 All applicants, through acknowledgement in their online submission, must agree to the National Trumpet Competition’s (“NTC”) Release of Photographic, Video, Motion Picture, and Sound Recording Rights to be eligible to perform in the live rounds of the competition. Through this agreement, applicants authorize NTC and its agents, employees, and representatives to take photographs, sound recordings, motion pictures, or videos including their name, image, likeness, performance, and/or voice (“Recordings”). Applicants also grant NTC an unlimited right to reproduce, use, exhibit, display, perform, broadcast, create derivative works from, and distribute Recordings in any manner or media now existing or hereafter developed, in perpetuity, throughout the world. This includes, but is not limited to, live streaming of the final rounds of competition, public archiving of all live-streamed videos on NTC’s YouTube page, use on NTC social media pages and on NTC’s website. Recordings may be used by NTC, including its assigns and transferees, for any purpose, including but not limited to, marketing, advertising, publicity, or other promotional purposes. Applicants agree that NTC will have final editorial authority over the use of the Recordings, and waive any right to inspect or approve of any future use of the Recordings. Applicants acknowledge that they are not expecting to receive compensation for participating in the Recordings or for any future use of the Recordings. Applicants release and fully discharge NTC, and its employees, agents, and representatives, from any claim, damages, or liability arising from or related to their participation in the Recordings or NTC’s future use of the Recordings.
- Rules Disclaimer
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: