Ross-Roberts Competition for High School Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion

The 2026 Ross-Roberts Competition for High School Woodwinds, Brass, & Percussion will take place in in-person.

Competition Dates

• Application Deadline: Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11:59pm. Check back here in late 2025 for application instructions.
• Competition Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9am

Location

Lutheran Church of the Reformation
212 East Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20003

Click here for Google Maps directions.

Fees

A $40 nonrefundable application fee is required by the deadline.

Eligibility

Students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 who play woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments and live within 50 miles of Washington, DC. First-place winners from previous years are not eligible.

Awards

• First Prize: $1,500
• Second Prize: $1,000
• Third Prize: $700

The winners have opportunities to perform in the FMMC Student Recitals throughout the season at various venues. In addition, the prizewinners and those awarded honorable mentions receive free FMMC Student Membership for 5 years. Prize money amounts may be altered or withheld at the discretion of the judges.

Repertoire and Requirements

Woodwind & Brass Requirements

Choose a 15- to 20-minute program of three works, each from contrasting musical time periods (transcriptions acceptable) (See musical periods), while fulfilling the additional requirements listed below. At least one work must be memorized.

• At least one must be in the style of Baroque, Classical, or Romantic.
• At least one must be in the style of Impressionist, Expressionist, Modern, Postmodern, or Contemporary.
• At least one must be a fast movement of a major concerto or single-movement concertino.
• One must be unaccompanied, 2- to 5-minute duration (an etude is acceptable).
• All works must be currently published.

Percussion Requirements

The performer must provide all percussion equipment. Choose a 15- to 20-minute program of three works fulfilling the requirements listed below. At least one work must be memorized.

• At least one Snare solo
• At least one Mallet solo using four mallets, or Timpani using four drums

Accompaniment

Any selection written to be accompanied MUST be performed with an accompanist. Contestants may use an accompanist provided free by FMMC or may use their own.

Contact

Kayondra Reid
Woodwind, Brass, & Percussion Competition Chair
highschoolwind@fmmc.org

2025 Winners

Congratulations to the winners! We want to thank everyone for their participation, remarkable skill, and artistry that make this competition successful and an enjoyable day of music.

First Prize:
Kyle Cho (Oboe)
Winston Churchill High School, Grade 12

Second Prize:
Jayden Lee (Flute)
Langley High School, Grade 12

Third Prize:
Hannah Choi (Flute)
Centennial High School, Grade 10