The International Double Reed Society is pleased to announce the 44th annual Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox Competition being held for bassoonists during the 2024 IDRS Conference. The competition is dedicated to the memory of the late master oboist and honorary member of IDRS, Fernand Gillet, and to the memory of master bassoonist Hugo Fox, principal bassoonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1922-1949.
1. PRIZES
First Prize for the 2024 competition is a $12,000 USD cash award. Second Prize is an $8,000 USD cash award. Other finalists will receive a $3,000 USD cash award.
2. ELIGIBILITY
Bassoonists who have not reached their 31st birthday by the date of the Final Round of the competition (July 24, 2024) are eligible to enter, but no previous first prize winner of the Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox Competition is eligible to participate. All entrants must be current members of IDRS.
3. PRELIMINARY ROUND
Competition entries will be accepted starting on January 5, 2024 through an online application process. All entrants must submit an online application and an application fee of $80 USD payable by credit card (VISA and MasterCard only). All entrants must electronically submit a video recording of the entire Preliminary Round repertoire list below. Any evidence of editing within movements will result in disqualification. Instructions on applying and uploading video recordings will be available from January 5, 2024 at: https://idrs.org/competitions/
To be considered, all application materials must be submitted on or before March 15, 2024.
4. FINAL ROUND
Up to five finalists will be selected by the Preliminary Round judges with the results announced by May 5, 2024. The Final Round will be heard by a distinguished panel of judges in an open concert, at the International Double Reed Society Conference at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, USA, July 21-25, 2024. The judges may select portions of the Final Round repertoire for performance at the competition. A professional accompanist will be provided for the contestants; however, contestants may elect to use an accompanist of their own choosing at their own expense. The decision of the judges is final. The judges may elect to award fewer prizes than outlined above or no prizes. IDRS will pay the registration fee and provide meals and lodging for each of the finalists for the duration of the Conference. The winner of the competition agrees to perform the Gotkovsky Variations concertantes in a concert during the 2024 IDRS Conference.