National Trumpet Competition


The National Trumpet Competition, or NTC, is an annual music competition for students in the US that usually takes place in mid-March. The competition includes classical and jazz categories for students ranging from secondary education until postgraduate college. Students can perform solo or with an ensemble representing their school. NTC was formerly held at George Mason University until 2013; then moved to Messiah College in 2014 and 2015, Columbus State University in 2016, Metropolitan State University in 2017, University of North Texas in 2018, and University of Kentucky in 2019. It was hosted again March 2024 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and Texas Christian University in 2025.

Applications

Students can register by completing an online form at the competition website, as well as attaching a link to a YouTube or Vimeo video of them performing only a published composition from the trumpet repertoire, with piano accompaniment. They must also send in an application fee, and an NTC pianist fee. Entrants are selected based on their videos, and are notified of results in mid-January.

Semi-finals and finals

The competition was founded in 1991 by Dr. Dennis Edelbrock, who teaches trumpet at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and finals were held there through 2013.
Semi-finals and finals in each division are now held at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University. They are judged by professional trumpeters from around the area including Steven Hendrickson of the National [Symphony Orchestra (United States)|National Symphony Orchestra], Dr. Edelbrock, and members from Washington D.C.'s military bands. Depending on the division, there are about 25-50 competitors. After the first day, about five soloists and ensembles from each division move on to the finals, which usually take place a day or two later and at which one winner is chosen. Second and third place finalists usually also receive an award. The finalists have their finals audition posted on YouTube.

Results

Ensemble Division

Past solo winners