ITEA Scholarships are merit-based awards and competitions offered by the International Tuba Euphonium Association (ITEA), providing $1,000 to $3,000 in funding for tuba and euphonium students pursuing performance, education, composition, or recording projects. Formerly known as TUBA (Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association), ITEA supports low-brass musicians through conference competitions, recording grants, and recognition awards.
How ITEA Scholarships Work
ITEA funds musicians through several distinct channels. The primary funding opportunities are tied to the International Tuba Euphonium Conference (ITEC), held biennially. The next ITEC is scheduled for June 2027 at Oklahoma State University in Stillwell, Oklahoma. Regional conferences in 2026 also feature performance competitions with cash prizes.
The main award and competition categories include:
- ITEA Competitions: Held at ITEC and regional conferences, these include solo artist competitions, mock band auditions, and chamber music contests. Prize amounts typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the category and sponsor.
- Roger Bobo Awards for Excellence in Recording: Recognizes outstanding tuba and euphonium recordings. Winners receive cash prizes and recognition in the ITEA Journal.
- Harvey Phillips Awards for Excellence in Composition: Encourages new works for tuba and euphonium. Composers receive cash awards and premiere performances at ITEC.
- ITEA Commissions Fund: Supports commissioning new works for tuba and euphonium from established composers, expanding the instrument's repertoire.
- ITEA Giving Program: Accepts donations that fund scholarships, competitions, and educational initiatives for low-brass students.
ITEA membership is required to participate in most competitions and apply for grants. Annual membership costs $50 for regular members and $25 for students. Members also receive the ITEA Journal, published quarterly, which covers pedagogy, performance, and industry news.
Eligibility
- Active ITEA membership at the time of application
- Enrollment in a music degree program or equivalent performance experience (for student categories)
- Submission of recorded audition materials or live performance at conference competitions
- Specific requirements vary by competition category
Real-World Example
A graduate euphonium student at a US university could enter the ITEC 2027 Solo Competition by submitting a pre-screening recording of two contrasting works. If selected as a semifinalist, they would travel to Oklahoma State University to perform live. First place in the solo competition typically carries a $2,000 to $3,000 cash prize, plus a featured recital performance at the conference. The student would need to maintain active ITEA membership ($25 per year for students) and register for the conference (approximately $300).
A tuba player interested in recording could apply for the Roger Bobo Recording Award by submitting a completed or near-completed album project. A winning recording receives a cash prize and is featured in the ITEA Journal, giving the artist exposure to thousands of low-brass educators and performers worldwide.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
Tuba and euphonium players face a smaller job market compared to other brass instruments. ITEA competitions and grants provide both funding and visibility. Winning or placing in an ITEC competition puts your name in front of university faculty who hire for teaching positions and ensemble openings. The ITEA Journal reaches thousands of low-brass professionals, so a featured recording or composition can lead to commission requests and performance invitations.
Join ITEA as a student member for $25 per year. Submit competition materials early, as pre-screening deadlines typically fall 6 to 8 months before the conference. Prepare repertoire that showcases both technical facility and musicality, since judges include leading performers and educators in the field.
Eligibility Criteria (plain terms)
- You must be an active ITEA member at the time of application (student membership is $25 per year, regular membership is $50 per year)
- For student solo competitions, you must be under 20 years of age as of the date of the final round (born on or after the conference end date in 2006 for 2026 regional conferences)
- For artist solo competitions, you must not have held a full-time professional playing position or full-time collegiate teaching position (rules vary by regional conference)
- Mock band and mock orchestra auditions are open to competitors who have never held a full-time professional playing position
- You must register for the conference and pay the competition entrance fee ($35 per competition at regional conferences)
- Previous winners of ITEC or regional conference competitions may not enter the same category again at some regional conferences (check specific conference rules)
- For the Roger Bobo Recording Award, you must submit a completed or near-completed recording project
- For the Harvey Phillips Composition Award, you must submit an original work for tuba or euphonium
Deadlines
- SERTEC 2026 (Southeast Regional): Competition registration deadline is February 18, 2026. Conference runs March 4 to 6, 2026 at the University of Georgia Hodgson School of Music.
- NWRTEC 2026 (Northwest Regional): Conference runs March 20 to 22, 2026. Competition registration required before conference start.
- HRTEC 2026 (Historic Regional): Submission deadline for all competitions is January 31, 2026. Competition registration deadline is February 10, 2026. Conference runs March 19, 2026.
- MWRTEC 2026 (Midwest Regional): Conference runs May 18 to 20, 2026 at the University of Missouri Kansas City. Proposals due November 15, 2025.
- ITEC 2027 (International Conference): Scheduled for June 2027 at Oklahoma State University. Pre-screening deadlines typically fall 6 to 8 months before the conference.
Past Recipients
ITEA does not publish a centralized database of all competition winners on its website. Competition results are announced at each regional conference and the international ITEC, and winners are featured in the ITEA Journal. The ITEA Journal is published quarterly and distributed to all members. For specific past winner names, consult the ITEA Journal archives or the results pages for individual regional conferences on the ITEA website.
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Related Opportunities
- ITG Scholarships for trumpet students through the International Trumpet Guild
- Music Scholarships Directory for the full list of funding opportunities
- Music Schools Directory to find tuba and euphonium programs worldwide
- Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your post-graduation earnings
- Visit the ITEA website for official competition details and membership information
