Bass Competition

S.E. Shires Bass Trombone Competition

Start your competition application HERE

Eligibility

Rules/Procedure

The 2025 S.E. Shires Competition will separate tenor and bass competitors into their own categories. The basses will compete with excerpts only, and tenors with solo only.
Preliminary round submissions are to be submitted with your competition registration and must include audio and video.
All competitors must submit an STS Participant application separate from the competition submission(s).
Semifinal and final rounds will happen live at the 2025 STS.
Recordings must be unedited, but audio gain changes on entire recordings are permitted.
Performers can skip over multi-measure rests at their discretion.
Competitors must record the entire list in the order listed below, all in one take.
All recordings must be submitted via a YouTube link. The YouTube video must be “Unlisted” and comments should be disabled.
The link to your recording will be submitted along with the registration form and payment. See below for dates
Competitors must pay a STS Competition Entry fee through the registration form.
All entrants will receive feedback from the judges.

Repertoire
Preliminary Round

H. Berlioz - The Damnation of Faust, Hungarian March: six measures before Reh. 4 to two measures after Reh. 5
J. Haydn - The Creation, No. 26: beginning to nineteen measures after Reh. B
R. Schumann - Symphony No. 3, Movement IV: beginning to thirteen measures after Reh. A
R. Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries: pickup to Reh. 3 to two measures before Reh. 4 AND pickup to Reh 5 to three measures after Reh. 6

Final Round (to be selected in addition to preliminary round excerpts)

R. Strauss - Ein Heldenleben: Reh. 55 to Reh. 59 AND two measures after Reh. 61 to Reh. 66
Z. Kodály - Háry János Suite, Movement IV: five measures after Reh. 5 to ten measures after Reh. 6
E. Sachse - Concertino for Bass Trombone: Theme and Variation section (no accompaniment)

Important Dates

The STS will begin notifying participants who advance to the semi-final rounds beginning March 15th.
Final recording submission deadline to be considered for the competitions is March 15th.