Jazz Artist Competition

This competition will next be held at the 2026 NFA Convention in Portland, OR.

The biennial Jazz Artist Competition is for outstanding jazz flutists. Three entrants will be selected to compete as jazz soloists at the 2026 NFA Convention in Portland with a rhythm section (provided by the NFA) consisting of piano, bass, and drums. Cash prizes of $1,500, $750, and $400 will be awarded to the finalists.

Entrants may play either piccolo, C flute, alto flute, or bass flute on their recordings. Each selection must include one or two improvised choruses. Previous first-place winners of this competition are ineligible to compete again.

Competition Requirements*

Age Requirement: Entrants must be 18 years of age or older by the first day of the convention (born on or before August 6, 2008).
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, TBA.

Below is the repertoire list from the 2024 Jazz Flute Artist Competition:

Recorded Round Repertoire

All selections may be found in The Real Book, 6th ed. (Hal Leonard). Additional sources are listed next to their individual selections:

Charlie Parker, Dexterity
Chick Corea, Windows (also found in Abersold Vol. 95)
Antonio Carlos Jobim, Corcovado (Quiet Night of Quiet Stars) (also found in Abersold Vol. 31 or Vol. 98)

Recorded Round repertoire should be played with a play-along recording (ie. Aebersold, Band-in-a-Box, iRealb).

Final Round Repertoire

Finalists' choice

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 repertoire. Each program should be a maximum of 25 minutes (including time between movements, pieces, applause, ect.) with no more than one original composition. Please time your program carefully, as all finalists will be stopped after 25 minutes. Final Round repertoire will be played with full rhythm section accompaniment (piano, bass, drums). The NFA will provide combo musicians for the final round. 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.

* 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

Brendon Wilkins
bwilkins@colby.edu

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