Competitions
Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition
For ensembles of 2 or more trombonists (with rhythm section)
First Prize: Featured performance at the 2025 International Trombone Festival.
Competition Rules
- The competition repertoire should be uploaded as single audio file, without any edits within each selection (single performance from start to end of each piece.) Accepted file formats include: MP3, OGG, M4A, WMA, WAV, AAC, FLAC, AIFF, AIF.
- Additionally, the group must upload a video of their submission as well. This will only be viewable by the Competitions Coordinator. Accepted file formats include: MP4, MPEG, MPG, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, FLV, WEBM, M2V.
- The audio from the audio submission and video submission must be the same or the applicant risks disqualification.
- Individual selections may be recorded separately and then assembled into the single audio upload.
- Any audible count-offs will violate the spoken dialogue rule and are grounds for disqualification. Caution members of the ensemble to avoid talking until the take has been completed. A good rule of thumb would be to hold silence for 5 seconds after any take, allowing for a clean submission.
- The submitted file must not contain any identifying information. The audio file should be named: “WindingEntry.mp3” (.wav, etc.)
- All improvised solos must be performed by regular members of the ensemble – no guest soloists are allowed.
- No age requirement or school affiliation required.
- The winning ensemble must utilize only the players who made the sound file recording in their ITF performance (including rhythm section) – no additional players or substitutions are allowed without the written approval of the Competitions Committee.
- Winning conductor has total control over the content of their ITF program (within time constraints.)
- 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Winding Competition winners are not eligible for the 2025 Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition.
Repertoire Requirements
Free choice of program, not to exceed 20 minutes
Submission Instructions
Completed applications must be submitted prior to the deadline and meet ITA membership and other requirements outlined on this page. Application fees (see below) will be charged at the time of application (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club are accepted.)
Past Winners
Year
Winner
School
1988
Paul Brewer’s Jazz Bones
University of Central Oklahoma
1989
no competition
1990
University of North Florida Jazz Trombones
University of North Florida
1991
Capitol Bones
Washington, D.C.
1992
no competition
1993
no winner
1994
New York Trombone Conspiracy
New York City
1995
Slide FX
Los Angeles
1996
no winner
1997
Eastman-Winding Trombone Septet
Eastman School of Music
1998
no winner
1999
State of the Trombone
New York City
2000
University of North Texas Jazz Trombone Ensemble
University of North Texas
2001
University of Texas at Austin Jazz Bones
University of Texas
2002
Eastman Bionic Bones
Eastman School of Music
2003
Tennessee Trombonery
University of Tennessee
2004
Piedmont Trombone Society
Atlanta, GA
2005
Against the Grain
Berklee College of Music
2006
Dease Bones
Juilliard School of Music
2007
University of Texas Jazz Bones
University of Texas
2008
U-Tubes
University of North Texas
2009
Guildhall Jazz Trombone Ensemble
Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London
2010
Phoenix Jazz Trombones
Matt Lennex, leader
2011
Scarlet Knights Jazz Trombones
Rutgers University Conrad Herwig and Andy Hunter, leaders
2012
University of Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble
Jim Pugh, leader
2013
The University of Akron Trombone Group
John A. Schantz, leader
2014
MSU Jazz Trombones
Michael Dease, leader
2015
The U-Tubes (University of North Texas)
Julie Gray, leader
2016
The Waffle Stompers (The Juilliard School)
James Burton, III, teacher
2017
The University of Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble
Jim Pugh, director
2018
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Jazz Trombones
Conrad Herwig and Ed Neumeister, directors
2019
MSU Jazz Trombone Ensemble
Michael Dease, director
2020
Frost Jazz Trombone Ensemble (University of Miami)
Dante Luciani, director
2021
The U-Tubes (University of North Texas)
Nick Finzer (teacher) and Jack Courtright (director)
2022
Oklahoma State University Jazz Trombones
Paul Compton, teacher
2023
Sokołowski Trombone Project (University of South Florida)
Tom Brantley, teacher
2024
Michigan State University Jazz Trombones
Michael Dease, teacher