Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition 2027: Classical Clarinet and Saxophone Auditions Close 31 December
Applications are open for the 2027 edition
The Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition (VEA) has opened its online entry portal for the 2027 edition. Classical clarinet and classical saxophone artists must upload their required materials by 31 December 2026, at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern time. The results are scheduled for February 2027. This article focuses on the classical instrumental divisions rather than the competition's other styles.
Classical clarinet: Spohr, Cahuzac and a choice
Clarinet candidates must submit the first movement of Louis Spohr's Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 57; Louis Cahuzac's Arlequin for solo clarinet; and one contrasting free-choice work lasting no more than ten minutes. The organiser asks for individual tracks submitted in the displayed repertoire order, with composition names rather than the musician's own name in the filenames.
Classical saxophone: Boutry, Ortiz and a choice
Saxophone entrants have a different mandatory programme: the second and third movements of Roger Boutry's Divertimento, Gabriela Ortiz's Mambo Ninón and one contrasting free-choice work under ten minutes. Vandoren requires audio-only files, not video, for these sections. The musical content of each piece or movement must remain unedited; it permits removal of empty gaps between movements, but not musical alterations or splicing.
About Vandoren and application considerations
VEA is associated with the instrument-accessory company Vandoren and publishes archives of past winners dating back through earlier editions, including the 2026 classical clarinet and saxophone results. Applicants should consult the current application portal for geographic or age eligibility, fee details and awards instead of relying on older editions, because these are not specified in the repertoire summary. The quality and integrity of recordings are particularly important: organisers warn that poor audio can affect adjudication.
Official call and application instructions
Research checked: 23 October 2026. Deadlines, eligibility, fees and programme rules can change; verify the organiser's live announcement before applying or paying.