Orchestral Audition & Masterclass Competition

The Orchestral Audition & Masterclass Competition will select three finalists to perform a mock audition and play in a masterclass for Gareth Davies, Principal Flute of the London Symphony Orchestra, at the 2026 NFA Convention in Portland. Cash prizes of $1,000, $750, and $400 will be awarded. Previous first-place winners of this competition are ineligible to compete. Excerpts for the live mock audition will be chosen by the masterclass clinician and distributed to finalists.

Competition Requirements*

AGE REQUIREMENT: is open to flutists who will be 30 years of age or younger by the last day of the convention (born on or after August 9, 1995). Entrants may be required to show proof of age.
All flutists must be current NFA members at the time the entry is submitted. If chosen to perform or present during the convention, flutists must also be current members at the time of the convention and register for the convention by July 1, 2026. To join or renew, go to nfaonline.org/signup.
Completed entry
Uploaded files
$65 entry fee (paid during submission process)

All entrants must submit their entry, upload recordings/supplemental materials, and pay competition and membership fees by 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Submit Your Application:

Before you submit, please make sure you hold an active NFA membership and are currently logged in to the NFA website. Have all application materials ready to submit before beginning the application process.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

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Recorded Round Repertoire

Each piece should be uploaded as a separate file in the following order. All uploaded files must be audio recordings. No videos are allowed.

Johannes Brahms, Symphony No. 4
- Movement 4, mm. 89-105
Paul Hindemith, Symphonic Metamorphosis
- Movement 3, 6 before C-end of movement
Gustav Mahler Das Lied von der Erde
- VI. Der Abschied, Rehearsal 2- 7th bar or 3
John Williams, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Suite for Orchestra,
- “Hagrid’s Friendly Bird” mm. 127-151
Richard Strauss, Salome, Op. 54
- 2 bars before D-3rd bar of H

All Recorded Round repertoire for this event must be recorded WITHOUT any form of accompaniment.

* Competitions are subject to all rules and regulations on this page as well as the General Competition Information and Rules and Regulations. Incomplete entries will be subject to disqualification.

Coordinator

Hannah Chiasson
hannahleffler@gmail.com

Those entering this competition may also may also be eligible to apply for the Frances Blaisdell Scholarship, which provides $1500 toward NFA convention expenses.