The International Double Reed Society (IDRS) runs two annual performance competitions for oboe and bassoon players, plus commissioning grants for new double reed compositions. The Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox Competition awards $8,000 for first prize and is open to bassoonists and oboists under 31. The Norma Hooks Young Artist Competition awards $4,000 for first prize and is open to players under 22. Both competitions hold their final rounds at the annual IDRS Conference.
How IDRS Competitions Work
IDRS sponsors two international competitions that alternate each year between oboe and bassoon. In 2026, the Gillet-Fox Competition is for bassoon and the Norma Hooks Competition is for oboe. Both take place at the IDRS Conference at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, July 7-11, 2026.
Fernand Gillet-Hugo Fox International Competition
This competition is named after master oboist Fernand Gillet and master bassoonist Hugo Fox, Principal Bassoonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1922 to 1949. It is the 46th annual edition.
- First Prize: $8,000 USD cash
- Second Prize: $5,000 USD cash
- Other finalists: $2,500 USD cash each
- Eligibility: Bassoonists who have not reached their 31st birthday by July 10, 2026. Previous first prize winners cannot enter again.
- Application fee: $80 USD
- Deadline: March 15, 2026 (applications open January 5, 2026)
- Final round: Up to five finalists perform live at the IDRS Conference. IDRS pays the registration fee, meals, and lodging for finalists.
Norma Hooks Young Artist International Competition
This competition is named after Norma Hooks, an IDRS honorary member known for her dedication to the organization's membership and conferences. It is the 20th annual edition.
- First Prize: $4,000 USD cash
- Second Prize: $3,000 USD cash
- Third Prize: $2,000 USD cash
- Eligibility: Oboists who have not reached their 22nd birthday by July 9, 2026. Previous first prize winners cannot enter again.
- Application fee: $50 USD
- Deadline: March 15, 2026 (applications open January 5, 2026)
- Final round: Three finalists perform live at the IDRS Conference. IDRS pays the registration fee, meals, and lodging for finalists.
IDRS 50 for 50 Commissioning Grants
IDRS also offers commissioning grants through its 50 for 50 project, which funds new double reed compositions. Grants are open to IDRS Conference recital applicants whose proposals include a new commission. Applications close November 15, 2025, with results sent in January 2026.
Membership Requirement
All competition entrants must be current IDRS members. Membership costs vary by category (student, regular, senior) and can be purchased at idrs.org/join.
Real-World Example
A 25-year-old bassoonist pursuing a master's degree could apply for the 2026 Gillet-Fox Competition starting January 5, 2026. She would submit an $80 application fee and video recordings of the required preliminary repertoire through the Acceptd platform by March 15, 2026. If selected as one of up to five finalists, she would travel to Miami University in Ohio for the live final round on July 10, 2026. IDRS covers her conference registration, meals, and lodging. If she wins first prize, she receives $8,000 USD and agrees to perform the Bach Concerto in D Minor at a conference concert.
A 19-year-old oboist could apply for the Norma Hooks Competition with a $50 fee. If selected as one of three finalists, she performs live on July 9, 2026. Winning first prize pays $4,000 USD and includes a 30-minute recital performance at the conference.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you play oboe or bassoon at a high level, the IDRS competitions offer some of the largest cash prizes available specifically for double reed players. The $8,000 first prize in the Gillet-Fox Competition can cover a significant portion of a year's tuition at a public university, or fund a summer festival attendance. The Norma Hooks Competition gives younger players a chance to gain competition experience and earn up to $4,000 before entering conservatory or during early undergraduate study.
Start preparing your repertoire at least six months before the March 15 deadline. The preliminary round requires unedited video recordings of specific works, so schedule recording sessions with a high-quality microphone and accompanist. Join IDRS before applying, and review the required repertoire list carefully on the competition guidelines page.
Eligibility Criteria (plain terms)
- Gillet-Fox Competition: You must play oboe or bassoon (alternates each year) and not have reached your 31st birthday by the date of the final round. Previous first prize winners are not eligible. You must be a current IDRS member.
- Norma Hooks Young Artist Competition: You must play oboe or bassoon (alternates each year) and not have reached your 22nd birthday by the date of the final round. Previous first prize winners are not eligible. You must be a current IDRS member.
- 50 for 50 Commissioning Grants: You must be an IDRS Conference recital applicant whose proposal includes a new double reed commission.
- Membership: All entrants must hold a current IDRS membership (student, regular, or senior category) at the time of application.
Deadlines
- Gillet-Fox Competition: March 15, 2026 (applications open January 5, 2026)
- Norma Hooks Young Artist Competition: March 15, 2026 (applications open January 5, 2026)
- 50 for 50 Commissioning Grants: November 15, 2025 (results sent January 2026)
- Final rounds: Both competitions hold live finals at the IDRS Conference at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, July 7-11, 2026
Past Recipients
The IDRS publishes complete archives of past competition winners on its website.
Gillet-Fox Competition winners:
- 2025 (Oboe): Sigurd Greve (Norway), 2nd place Vidyasagar Anupindi (USA)
- 2024 (Bassoon): Laure Thomas (France), 2nd place Juhyung Lim (Republic of Korea)
- 2023 (Oboe): Mariano Esteban Barco (Spain), 2nd place Illyes Boufadden (France)
- 2022 (Bassoon): Marie Boichard (France), 2nd place Clara Manaud (France)
- 2021 (Oboe): Melanie Rothman (United Kingdom), 2nd place Sooyoung Kim (South Korea)
- 2019 (Oboe): Ji Yeon Noh (South Korea), 2nd place Ming Liu (China)
- 2018 (Bassoon): Andrea Cellacchi (Italy), 2nd place Lola Descours (France)
- 2017 (Oboe): Samuel Bastos (Portugal), 2nd place Gabriel Pidoux (France)
- 2016 (Bassoon): Riccardo Terzo (Italy), 2nd place Nanci Belmont (USA)
Norma Hooks Young Artist Competition winners:
- 2025 (Bassoon): Cian Bryson (Canada), 2nd place Jackson Bernal (USA/El Salvador), 3rd place Xuanyu Liu (China)
- 2024 (Oboe): Spencer Rubin (USA), 2nd place Fengyang Ju (China/USA), 3rd place Natalia Gavilan (Spain)
- 2023 (Bassoon): Javier Sanz Pascual (Spain), 2nd place Seoyoung Mun (South Korea), 3rd place Abigail Lopez (USA)
- 2022 (Oboe): Kara Poling (USA), 2nd place Franz Hartmann (Germany), 3rd place Klara Borgqvist (Sweden)
- 2021 (Bassoon): Luis Marquez Teruel (Venezuela), 2nd place Alexander Neubert (USA), 3rd place Kodai Miyazaki (Japan)
- 2019 (Bassoon): Enrico Bassi (Italy), 2nd place Nicola Contini (Italy), 3rd place Maria Bernal Sandoval (Spain)
- 2018 (Oboe): Ryan Roberts (USA), 2nd place Seong ye Ma (South Korea), 3rd place Joana Filipa Fernandes Soares (Portugal)
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- Visit the IDRS Competitions page for official rules and repertoire
- Visit the IDRS Membership page to become a member
