IHS Composition Contest 2026: Two $1,250 Horn Prizes, December 1 Deadline

The International Horn Society (IHS) invites new repertoire for the horn in its 2026 composition contest. Founded in 1979, the contest promotes compositions for horn players and teachers, offering a Featured Division of moderate technical difficulty and a Virtuoso Division without a difficulty ceiling.

In 2026 the Featured Division asks for solo horn with a keyboard instrument, including piano, organ, electronic keyboard or mallet percussion. The Virtuoso Division covers unaccompanied horn, horn with vocal ensemble, horn ensemble, selected chamber combinations or horn with large ensemble; eligible combinations can include electronic instruments.

Each composer may enter one work in each division, written within the last four years. Submit an anonymized PDF score, anonymous MP3 (30 MB maximum under the rules), a brief Word document describing the piece and the online application. Exclusions include certain IHS staff, funding recipients and the latest winner of the same division.

The deadline is December 1, 2026. Entry costs USD 25 per composition; each division winner receives USD 1,250. Winning works may be featured at an IHS workshop and considered for sheet-music publication. Results are expected by February 15, 2027. Confirm any unspecified deadline hour and time zone directly with IHS.

Official call: https://hornsociety.org/programs/awards-and-competitions/composition-contest

External opportunity notice: This article summarizes and translates organizer information for reference. Before applying or paying, verify the latest eligibility, dates, fees, copyright terms and rules on the official website. The organizer's current terms take precedence.