Registration for the 2010 ITA Competitions is now completed. We're happy to report a record number of entries--271, which is an increase of 20 over 2009 figures.

Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition--13 entries
J.J. Johnson Jazz Trombone Competition--19 entries
ITA Alto Trombone Competition--16 entries
Gilberto Gagliardi Trombone Competition--30 entries
Robert Marsteller Trombone Competition--23 entries
Frank Smith Trombone Competition--24 entries
Larry Wiehe Trombone Competition--20 entries
George Roberts Bass Trombone Competition--12 entries
Donald Yaxley Bass Trombone Competition--23 entries
Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize Tenor Trombone Competition--20 entries
Edward Kleinhammer Orchestral Bass Trombone Competition--20 entries
ITA Trombone Quartet Competition--28 entries
Emory Remington Trombone Choir Competition--19 entries
Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition--5 entries

Recordings will be distributed to an international panel of judges by the end of 2009, and results will be requested by February 1, 2010. Results will be posted on the ITA web site as the decisions are collected from the judges.

A special note of commendation to all who submitted an application, and good luck to all.

Vern Kagarice
Competitions Coordinator

General Information, Rules and Requirements (applicable to ALL competition categories)

Three finalists, selected from a preliminary recorded round, will be chosen in 12 different competition categories—Fontana, Johnson, Smith, Marsteller, Wiehe, Gagliardi, ITA Alto, Roberts, Yaxley, Haney, Kleinhammer and Quartet. Those selected as finalists will be invited to perform in a live final round setting at the 39th International Trombone Festival on July 7–10, 2010 at the University of Texas in Austin. All finalists will receive a full tuition waiver to attend the 2010 ITF. Housing, food and travel expenses are NOT covered by the International Trombone Association or the International Trombone Festival. Finalists may be featured on 2010 ITF master classes wherever possible.

A winner and one runner-up will be selected from recorded CDs in the Remington and Winding ensemble categories. The winning groups will receive a featured performance at the 2010 ITF in Austin, TX on July 7–10, 2010.

Failure to strictly adhere to the following General Rules and Requirements will result in immediate disqualification by the ITA Competitions Committee. The application fee will not be refunded.

• Each competition participant must be an ITA member in good standing. Renew or join on-line BEFORE submitting an application. (Allow four weeks prior to deadline for processing snail mail applications.)
• A non-refundable application fee of $30 is required for each solo entry—Fontana, Johnson, Smith, Marsteller, Wiehe, Gagliardi, ITA Alto, Roberts, Kleinhammer and Haney. A non-refundable $60 application fee is required for each ensemble entry—Quartet, Winding and Remington.
• Age requirements must be met as of December 31, 2009. Proof of age (i.e. photocopy of driver’s license, visa or birth certificate) must be provided with the application.
• Submit four (4) copies of an unedited CD (no tapes, DATs or mini-disks). Label the CD jackets with your name, but DO NOT label the CDs and DO NOT include any spoken comments on the CDs. Plastic jewel boxes are not necessary so long as CDs are properly protected from damage in shipment. CDs will not be returned.
• No editing of any kind is permitted within a movement or excerpt.
• Attendance at the 2010 International Trombone Festival in Austin, TX is required of all finalists. Finalists and winning ensemble members are required to register for the 2010 ITF by April 1, 2010 in order to confirm their participation and to guarantee their position.
• Alternates or runners-up may be invited to replace any contestant who fails to register by April 1, 2010.
• Completion of the competition application MUST be made online prior to mailing the CDs. At the completion of the application process, print the receipt and submit it along with the four CDs and proof of age (i.e. photocopy of driver’s license, passport or birth certificate). A copy of the receipt will also be sent to your email address. If you are unable to print the receipt, write your name and your unique application ID number on a separate piece of paper and include it in your package.
• Your application packet must be postmarked no later than December 7, 2009 (Deadline Extended to Dec. 7). Materials will be forwarded to the judges on December 21, 2009, so a postal carrier should be selected to insure that your packet is received before that time. NOTE: Media mail service is NOT recommended.
• ITA accepts payment by Visa, MasterCard or US Dollar Check (drawn on a US bank). You must select your method of payment when completing the competition application form. If you choose to pay by check, be sure to include it with a copy of your completed application. ITA also offers contestants the option of making a direct bank transfer. If this option is chosen, a printed copy of transfer documentation must be included with the completed application form, four (4) copies of your audition CD, and proof of age. Materials must be postmarked no later than December 7, 2009 and mailed to:
  
  
  ITA Solo and Ensemble Competitions
  1155 Union Circle #311367
  Denton, TX 76203-5017
  
  
  NOTE: Fed-Ex and UPS shipments only—send to the following address (do not use this address for U.S. postal mailing):
  
  
  ITA Solo and Ensemble Competitions
  415 Ave. C, Room 147
  Denton, TX 76201
  
  
• Each competition category has its own set of specific rules and repertoire requirements. These must be strictly followed, as well as the General Rules and Regulations.

Frequent Causes for Disqualification

• Failure to meet postmark deadline.
• Failure to provide proof of age.
• Failure to be an ITA member in good standing.
• Failure to include proof of registration payment (or check).
• Failure to record materials in specified order or with specified cuts.
• Failure to record with prescribed accompaniment (i.e. no band or orchestra accompaniments).
• Failure to follow instructions regarding cuts.
• Failure to provide an unedited recording.
• Failure to record prescribed repertoire according to stipulated rules.
• Failure to avoid all spoken dialogue.
• Failure to follow instructions regarding the labeling of CDs and CD containers.