2nd Annual Oklahoma Chamber Music Competition April 18, 2026

The 2026 Oklahoma Chamber Music Competition (OCMC) will be held in person at Mustang High School Performing Art Center at 200 W Juniper Dr, Mustang, OK 73064.

 Important Dates

• Friday, February 27, 2026 – Online application opens

• Tuesday, April 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (CST) – Submission deadline for all application materials

• Monday, April 6, 2026 – Live competition schedule released

• Saturday, April 18, 2026 – Live competition at Mustang HS Performing Arts Center

Competition Contact

• Ryan Edgmon - Competition Coordinator -  edgmonr@mustangps.org

Competition Location

• Mustang High School Performing Arts Center, 200 W Juniper Dr. Mustang, OK 73064

Divisions

The Oklahoma Chamber Music Competition is comprised of three divisions: Strings, Woodwinds/Brass, and Percussion. Contact competition staff prior to starting an application if there are any questions. Competition staff have the right to reassign an ensemble into another division.

• String Division

  • Ensembles comprised of violin, viola, cello, string bass, harp, and/or classical guitar, and piano.

  •  If the majority of the ensemble members are string players, then the ensemble should submit an application in this division.

  • One grand piano will be provided in each of the performance venues.

• Woodwind Division

  • Woodwind ensembles (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophones)

    • Percussion instruments are permitted in this division, but if the majority of players are percussionists, then the ensemble should submit an application in the Percussion Division.

    • Brass instruments are permitted (ex: horn in WW Quintet), but if the majority of players are brass players, then the ensemble should submit an application in the brass division

    • One grand piano will be provided in each of the performance venues.

• Brass Division

  • Brass ensembles (trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba)

    • Percussion instruments are permitted in this division, but if the majority of players are percussionists, then the ensemble should submit an application in the Percussion Division.

    • Woodwind instruments are permitted in this division, but if the majority of players are woodwind players, then the ensemble should submit an application in the woodwind division.

    • One grand piano will be provided in each of the performance venues.

• Percussion Division

  •   Percussion ensembles (minimum 3 performers)

    • The following instruments will be provided by the OCMC:

      • 5 octave marimba, 4.3 octave marimba, vibes, xylophone, bass drum, glockenspiel, timpani (5), chimes, tam-tam, 4 concert toms

    • Any additional instruments, as well as all sticks/mallets, auxiliary instruments, non-traditional instruments (small or large), and snare drums must be provided by the performing ensemble.

    • Specific requests may be able to be accommodated - contact Ryan Edgmon at edgmonr@mustangps.org for more information.

    •  One grand piano will be provided in each of the performance venues.

Division Ensemble Prizes 

The following prizes will be awarded for each division (strings & piano, woodwinds, brass, percussion)

• First Place

• Second Place

• Third Place

• Feature in a KUCO Classical 90.1 radio broadcast

• $250 Cash Prize: Payable to each division winner’s school music program

• Recordings - prelims/finals provided for everyone

Eligibility & Regulations

Please read the Oklahoma Chamber Music Competition eligibility requirements prior to completing an online ensemble application. Failure to comply with any of the requirements listed below may result in disqualification.

• Submission of application materials indicates the ensemble’s full intention and financial capability of competing in the Oklahoma Chamber Music Competition on April 1, 2026.

• Age requirement: Division ensemble members must be enrolled in grades 9-12 in public, private, or home school in the state of Oklahoma.

• All members of an ensemble must be enrolled at the same school.

• The competition is open to instrumental ensembles consisting of a minimum of 3 musicians.

• The following will not be accepted: ensembles with vocalists, piano 4/6/8 hands.

• Conductors are permitted but not required and are not counted in ensemble size.

• Ensembles may only use one piano for the competition.

• Individuals may apply and compete in more than one ensemble/division, but are responsible for the entry fee for each individual ensemble.

• Individuals may participate in a maximum of three ensembles.  However, if a performer is in three ensembles, at least one ensemble must be in a separate division.  (Ex. 2- Brass Ensembles, 1 Woodwind Ensemble)

• Changes in repertoire or ensemble size will not be allowed once application materials are received by competition staff.

•  Ensembles must have an adult sponsor. No member of the ensemble (other than the conductor) may function as a sponsor.

• Ensembles will not be allowed practice time in the performance halls.

• Ensembles will not be able to reserve rooms before, during or after the competition.

• Warm-up areas will be provided for each performance venue.

• Page turners for pianists will NOT be provided by the OCMC.

• Each ensemble will have a maximum performance time of 10 minutes including all set up/tear down time in the performance halls.

• A copy of your stage setup should be submitted at check-in. OCMC staff will assist with setup for each performance.

• Student workers will be provided for assistance with set up/tear down/transitions.

• Ensembles may play a warmup/tuning note backstage prior to their performance if needed.

• When an ensemble is not in the performance flow, members should be in the audience for other performances. 

Repertoire Requirements

Any questions regarding repertoire requirements should be directed to Ryan Edgmon at edgmonr@mustangps.org well in advance of the application deadline. Competition staff reserve the right to make final decisions on these matters.

• Total performance time being 10 minutes or less.

• Selections should show off both the technical ability and musical style of the ensemble.

• Repeats are optional.

• Transcriptions are permissible.

• No substitutions or changes will be accepted after the application has been submitted.

Online Ensemble Application

The online ensemble application deadline is April 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (CST). Application questions should be directed to Ryan Edgmon at edgmonr@mustangps.org well in advance of the deadline.

The contact person from each ensemble will receive an email confirmation when their application has been successfully submitted. Check your spam folder if you don’t receive a confirmation after submission.

•  Non-refundable online ensemble entry fee: $20 per person per ensemble, not to exceed $200 per ensemble

  • If students are a member of multiple ensembles, they must pay the $20 ensemble entry fee for each ensemble. 

• Have the following information gathered BEFORE filling out an ensemble application form:

  • Ensemble name.

  • School name.

  • Director name & email address.

  • How many chairs and stands the ensemble will require.

  • Ensemble sponsor name, affiliation, address, phone number and email.

  • Number of students in the ensemble. (Once you type this in, that number of spaces appears below to put in information for each student.)

  • For each ensemble member:

    • Musician name, instrument, grade.

  • Ensemble biography in paragraph form (100 words or less).

    • Write in third person (use he, she, they, descriptors, or names).

    • Please put some time into your biography as it will be put on the Oklahoma Chamber Music Competition website if your ensemble places.

  • Repertoire information.

    • Composer name & dates (birth/death or birth only if composer is still alive).

    • Complete title of piece.

    • Movement title(s) with timings (minutes/seconds)

Competition Timeline/Format (subject to change)

The preliminary round of competition will take place with all 3 divisions simultaneously. The top 3 performing ensembles from each division will advance to the finals competition that begins at 3:00pm in the concert hall in the Mustang Performing Arts Center. All ensembles that do not advance to finals are highly encouraged to stay and watch the finals competition. Admission is free for all competing students.

• 8:00am - Check-in/Registration Opens

  • Please submit copy of your stage set-up upon check-in

• 8:30am - Preliminary Performances Begin

• 12:00pm - Preliminary Performances End

• 12:00pm-2:00pm - Lunch/Masterclasses

• 2:30pm - Finals Competition (PAC Concert Hall)

  • 2:30pm - Strings #1

  • 2:40pm - Strings #2

  • 2:50pm - Strings #3

  • 3:00pm - Percussion #1

  • 3:10pm - Percussion #2

  • 3:20pm - Percussion #3

  • Break

  • 3:40pm - Woodwind #1

  • 3:50pm - Woodwind #2

  • 4:00pm - Woodwind #3

  • 4:10pm - Brass #1

  • 4:20pm - Brass #2

  • 4:30pm - Brass #3

  • 4:40pm - Exhibition (TBD)

Award Ceremony - 5:00pm

All finalists must be present for awards ceremony (PAC Concert Hall)

Competition Concludes - 5:30pm