Eric Varner Young Artist Competition
The IDRS Midsouth Regional Chapter sponsors an annual competition for young oboists and bassoonists at the high school and collegiate level, which takes place during the annual Midsouth Symposium in the spring.
2026 Competition Information
March 27-29
University of Central Oklahoma
March 27-29
University of Central Oklahoma
Guidelines for 2026 Competition
Application Due March 1, 2026
Application Due March 1, 2026
To enter the 2026 Competition, please follow the guidelines below. ALL ENTRANTS MUST COMPLY WITH ALL RULES. For the sake of fairness, we will unfortunately find it necessary to disqualify any entries that do not comply fully with the rules laid out here.
- A $15 application fee is required to compete. See link above for payment information. Fees are non-refundable.
- Residents of these U.S. states are eligible to enter the competition: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
- You or your teacher (for high school students) must be a member of the International Double Reed Society (IDRS) to enter the competition. If you are not already a member of IDRS, you must become one by registering online. Fees are non-refundable. Discounted student memberships are available.
- This competition will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026. High School and Collegiate division winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded at the Friday evening Gala Concert, March 27, 2026. The competition is open to the public.
- Entrants in the High School Division must be enrolled in grades 9-12. Participants in the High School Division are to prepare 7-10 minutes of music written for their instrument. Multiple movements or pieces are acceptable as long as they don't exceed the time limit. High School participants may choose to perform a work for solo oboe/bassoon, or a work written for oboe/bassoon and piano. A pianist will be available for the competition for a $50 fee. This fee will include a 20 minute rehearsal and the competition performance. Participants will have a warm-up time with the pianist before the competition. Entrants must submit a PDF scan of their chosen selection(s). Entrants may bring their own accompanists.
- Entrants in the Collegiate Division must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. Participants in the Collegiate Division are to prepare 10-15 minutes of music written for their instrument. Collegiate participants may choose to perform a work for solo oboe/bassoon, or a work written for the oboe/bassoon and piano. Multiple movements or pieces are acceptable as long as they don't exceed the time limit. A pianist will be available for the competition for a $50 fee. This fee will include a 20 minute rehearsal and the competition performance. Participants will have a warm-up time with the pianist before the competition. Entrants must submit a PDF scan of their chosen selection(s). Entrants may bring their own accompanists.
- The first place winner of the Collegiate Division will be ineligible from competing for one year. The winner of the High School Division will be ineligible for competition in the High School Division for one year, but may compete in the Collegiate Division when they are eligible, regardless of placement in the High School Division.
- Judges will be evaluating on performers' expression, technical accuracy, intonation, tone, and stylistic correctness. Judges' comments will be available to competitors after the competition.
- Late applications will not be considered. The application deadline is March 1, 2026. Finalists will be notified of their invitation to compete live at the Midsouth Symposium in Edmond, Oklahoma no later than March 15, 2026. Finalists will have registration fees waived for the 2026 Midsouth Symposium.
- Winners will be awarded the following prizes, either in cash or gift certificate to a double reed business:
Collegiate Oboe:
1st Prize: $400 Sponsored by Oboe Chicago
2nd Prize: $250 Sponsored by Jennet Ingle Reeds
3rd Prize: $100 Sponsored by Bocal Majority
Collegiate Bassoon:
1st Prize: $400 Sponsored by Fox Products
2nd Prize: $250
3rd Prize: $100 Sponsored by Bocal Majority
High School Oboe:
1st Prize: $150 Sponsored by Charles Double Reed
2nd Prize: $100 Sponsored by Jennet Ingle Reeds
3rd Prize: $50 Sponsored by Barton Cane
High School Bassoon:
1st Prize: $150 Sponsored by Charles Double Reed
2nd Prize: $100
3rd Prize: $50 Sponsored by Barton Cane
1st Prize: $400 Sponsored by Oboe Chicago
2nd Prize: $250 Sponsored by Jennet Ingle Reeds
3rd Prize: $100 Sponsored by Bocal Majority
Collegiate Bassoon:
1st Prize: $400 Sponsored by Fox Products
2nd Prize: $250
3rd Prize: $100 Sponsored by Bocal Majority
High School Oboe:
1st Prize: $150 Sponsored by Charles Double Reed
2nd Prize: $100 Sponsored by Jennet Ingle Reeds
3rd Prize: $50 Sponsored by Barton Cane
High School Bassoon:
1st Prize: $150 Sponsored by Charles Double Reed
2nd Prize: $100
3rd Prize: $50 Sponsored by Barton Cane
