The biennial Piccolo Artist Competition is for outstanding players of the piccolo. Six semifinalists will be selected to compete at the 2026 NFA Convention in Portland based on their recorded audition. Three of the semifinalists will then be chosen to perform in a convention recital. The NFA will provide a pianist for the semifinal and final rounds.
Cash prizes of $1500, $750, and $400 will be awarded to the finalists, as well as $100 to each semifinalist not chosen as a finalist. A $100 award will be given to the competition finalist who gives the best performance of the newly commissioned work.
Previous first-place winners of this competition are ineligible to compete.
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 12th, 2026.
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.
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Each piece should be uploaded as a separate file in the following order. Movements may be uploaded separately if you choose. All uploaded files must be audio recordings. No videos are allowed. Recorded Round repertoire that has a piano part must be recorded with piano accompaniment.
Each finalist shall create a program demonstrating artistic maturity, technical and tonal qualities, and knowledge of program design and balance excluding any repetitions of recorded round or semifinal round repertoire. However, since repertoire for the piccolo is limited, keyboard reductions for concerti will be allowed, as well as one piccolo transcription, if desired. Each program should be a maximum of 25 minutes (including time between movements, pieces, applause, ect.). Please time your program carefully, as all finalists will be stopped after 25 minutes. Final round repertoire, including titles, movements, exact timings, composer's dates, and publishers must accompany the application. Finalists will be bound by their original selections.