MTNA Senior Performance Competitions (Brass and Voice) Opening Soon
Offered by Music Teachers National Association
About This Scholarship
The Music Teachers National Association Senior Performance Competitions are among the most established student music competitions in the United States, and the Brass and Voice divisions are the two categories still open for the 2026-27 cycle. Students ages 15 to 18 compete for national cash awards of $2,000 for the winner, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third in each category.
Unlike the piano, string, and woodwind tracks, Brass and Voice run as two-tiered competitions: a preliminary round judged entirely by video submission, followed by a live final round at the MTNA National Conference, April 2-6, 2027, in St. Louis. Seven finalists advance in each category.
Students must study with an MTNA-member teacher (or the teacher pays a nonmember fee), and registration runs through the Acceptd platform with a $150 entry fee. For serious pre-college brass players and singers, the national title also carries significant weight on conservatory applications.
Eligibility
- Ages 15-18 on January 1, 2027
- Brass or voice performers; entry through the student's music teacher
- $150 entry fee via Acceptd; nonmember teachers pay an additional fee
- Preliminary round is video submission; finalists compete live at the 2027 MTNA National Conference in St. Louis
How To Apply
- Register on the Acceptd platform beginning November 1, 2026
- Prepare the required repertoire with your teacher per the MTNA Senior Brass/Voice guidelines
- Record and upload your preliminary-round video and pay the $150 fee
- Submit everything by December 2, 2026, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- If selected as one of seven finalists, perform live at the national conference in April 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I win in the MTNA Senior Brass and Voice competitions?
Each category awards $2,000 to the national winner, $1,000 for second place, $500 for third, and $100 merit awards to remaining finalists.
Do I have to travel to compete?
Only if you advance. The preliminary round is entirely video-based through Acceptd. The seven finalists in each category perform live at the MTNA National Conference in St. Louis, April 2-6, 2027.
Does my teacher have to be an MTNA member?
Students enter through their teacher. Teachers who are not MTNA active members pay a $200 nonmember teacher fee on top of the entry fee.