Naftzger Auditions and Awards

Eligibility

• The competition is open to students who are enrolled in and pursuing a degree at a college, university, or conservatory in the United States.

• The competition is held in four divisions:

  1. Voice

  2. Piano

  3. Winds, Brass, and Percussion

  4. String Instruments

• Voice contestants must be at least 20 years old but not have reached their 29th birthday as of March 20, 2026. Instrumental and Piano contestants must be at least 18 years old but not have reached their 27th birthday as of March 20, 2026.

• Previous Naftzger Young Artists Award winners are not eligible to compete.

• Contestants must have a valid Social Security Number or appropriate International Tax Identification Number at the time of the competition.

Performance Requirements

Each contestant shall submit and be prepared to perform a recital program of approximately 45 minutes that demonstrates a variety of styles and repertoire from at least three different centuries (i.e. 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st) in accordance with the following category specifics:

Piano / Instrumental

• At least one large-scale work, such as a sonata, suite, or other multi-movement work by established composer.
• An assortment of other works that fulfill the performance requirements.
• Please provide movements and timings of each work to be performed.

Voice

• Two or more standard arias or works for voice and orchestra chosen from opera, oratorio, or other works normally performed with orchestral accompaniment.
• A varied list of art songs, which must include at least one selection from 17th or 18th-century Italian song, German Lieder, French Mélodie, or contemporary art song.
• A minimum of three languages should be demonstrated in the chosen repertoire.
• Inclusion of repertoire from musical theatre or operetta is optional.
• Please provide the title of the opera or song cycle and timings of each selection.

Additional Details

• Each contestant invited to Wichita shall appear at their own expense and furnish their own accompanist.

• All selections must be performed from memory when it is customary to do so. Please bring one copy of your music for the adjudicators.

• The selection of any and all winners and subsequent presentation of prizes is at the sole discretion of the judges. Their decisions shall be final.

• The Wichita State University School of Music reserves the right to make binding decisions regarding contestant eligibility and conformity to regulations or their intent to any situation not specifically covered by the above.