2027 National Arts Competition Application Requirements

Classical Music – Percussion

Please follow the requirements as closely as possible. Failure to comply with the requirements may make your application ineligible for an award.  

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Application Requirements

Your application should display a full range of technical skills and interpretive ability by presenting works by a variety of composers.

Submit a total of three (3) individual digital video recordings with accompanying scores to include the following and in the following order:

  • Piece 1: One (1) multiple percussion selection, such as William Kraft’s English or French Suites; Tagawa’s Inspirations Diabolique; or another work of comparable difficulty. The selection must incorporate a diverse set-up representing the different possibilities of metal, wood and skin instruments.
  • Piece 2: One (1) of the following solo pieces or etudes on a mallet instrument, such as Creston Concertino for Marimba; Mayuzumi Concertino for Xylophone; Musser Etudes for Marimba; Myoshi Conversations; Robert Honstein An Economy of Means; Juri Seo Twelve Preludes; or another work of comparable difficulty.
  • Piece 3: One (1) of the following solo pieces or etudes for snare drum: Delecluse Twelve Etudes, or Shinstein Recital Suite for Snare Drum; Nina C. Young Heartthrob; Hannah Lash Start; Amy Beth Kirsten Ghost in the Machine; Tonia Ko Negative Magic; Gene Koshinski Swerve; or another work of comparable difficulty.
  • Each score should be submitted as a PDF.

Recording Guidelines

  • Accompaniment: Works requiring accompaniment should be performed and filmed with live (preferred) accompaniment as the score requires. Only works originally composed for solo instruments (player alone) can be submitted without accompaniment. Piano or harpsichord are suggested accompaniment instruments.
  • Sound: Make sure the acoustics in the room are suitable for recording. No sound enhancements are permitted.
  • Image: Be sure your image is clear and good quality without background distractions.
  • Framing: The camera should be set at a fixed point of view. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location at a distance to frame you and your instrument clearly. Judges must be able to see your hands and fingers to properly adjudicate your work. If you are playing from memory, be sure there is no music on the stand.

File Upload Guidelines

  • Save each selection individually and name the files with their selection titles.
  • Do not put your name or any identifying information in or on your files.
  • Upload each selection as a separate file.
  • Once uploaded, verify that the video image is upright (not sideways or upside down) and plays smoothly.
  • Please refrain from submitting pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals, concerts, or competitions whenever possible as these events typically have background noise and/or distractions.

NOTE: You are welcome to submit materials that have been part of other applications, competitions, or projects. YoungArts does not own any works submitted to its competition, however if your work has been submitted to other competitions, you are responsible for getting permission to submit to YoungArts, if necessary.