Competition Application
Applications
All applicants are required to fill out and submit an online application by April 16, 2026.
Application links below:
Division I
Division II
Junior
Video Guidelines, Instructions & Repertoire
After you complete and submit your application, you will receive instructions on how to submit your required audition video.
Recording instructions and guidelines below. If you need assistance, please email [email protected]
Video Guidelines
Division I = Three rounds, one video & two live
Division II = Two rounds, one video & one live
Junior = One round, video only
Video submission deadlines:
Division I = April 23, 2026
Division II = April 23, 2026
Junior = May 16, 2026
For Division I, there will be three rounds, and for Division II, there will be two rounds (see Required Repertoire below). You will be required to submit a video for the first round, no matter your division. All first-round videos must be submitted as unlisted YouTube video links by April 23, 2026 via a form that will be shared with you once your application is received.
ALL applicants will receive notification of those moving on to the live rounds via email and social media announcements.
Video Instructions
Recording Tips:
For additional recording tips, click here.
How to Create an Unlisted YouTube Video:
For a step-by-step video guide, click here.
Repertoire
Division I (26 years old and under)
Round One
Snare System, Volume 2: #11 - Frédéric Macarez
Paris A - Joe Tompkins
Tom-Tom for Tom - Gene Koshinski
Round Two
Three Poems: No. 1 - Tom Sherwood
Complexus (from The Dynamic Snare) - Paul Rennick
Bifurcation - Duncan Patton
(New work commissioned for the 2026 MSDC)
Final Round
Angular Expanses - Jay Ryan
Solo of Choice
Division II (19 years old and under)
Round One
[A]tudes: #1 [A] - Caleb Pickering
Cooper - Michael Burritt
A Minute of News (from The Noble Snare) - Eugene Novotney
Round Two
Snare System, Volume 1: #8 - Frédéric Macarez
Cycles - Matt Penland
Solo of Choice
Junior Division (16 years old and under)
Portraits in Rhythm: #4 - Anthony Cirone
Drum Corps on Parade (from Modern Contest Solos for Snare Drum) - John S. Pratt
Six Unaccompanied Solos for Snare Drum: 1. Allegro con spirito - Michael Colgrass
Repertoire is available for purchase @ https://www.steveweissmusic.com
with the exceptions of the following:
Angular Expanses - email [email protected]
Cycles @ https://payhip.com/b/5Itx1
[A]tudes @ https://www.calebpickering.com/atudes
Paris A, Three Poems & Bifurcation also available through http://bachovich.com/
All applicants are required to fill out and submit an online application by April 16, 2026.
Application links below:
Division I
Division II
Junior
Video Guidelines, Instructions & Repertoire
After you complete and submit your application, you will receive instructions on how to submit your required audition video.
Recording instructions and guidelines below. If you need assistance, please email [email protected]
Video Guidelines
Division I = Three rounds, one video & two live
Division II = Two rounds, one video & one live
Junior = One round, video only
Video submission deadlines:
Division I = April 23, 2026
Division II = April 23, 2026
Junior = May 16, 2026
For Division I, there will be three rounds, and for Division II, there will be two rounds (see Required Repertoire below). You will be required to submit a video for the first round, no matter your division. All first-round videos must be submitted as unlisted YouTube video links by April 23, 2026 via a form that will be shared with you once your application is received.
ALL applicants will receive notification of those moving on to the live rounds via email and social media announcements.
Video Instructions
Recording Tips:
For additional recording tips, click here.
- Select a recording device with a decent microphone placed 5-10 feet from the drum.
- Find an acoustically appropriate space to play in such as a concert hall, church or large practice room. Please eliminate all audio and visual distractions.
- The more light the better for video!
- To ensure you're providing the judges the best representation of your musicianship, conduct a short test recording first to check sound and visuals.
- Upload your video to YouTube as unlisted (see instructions below).
How to Create an Unlisted YouTube Video:
For a step-by-step video guide, click here.
- Step 1: Sign in to your YouTube account, or create one. To create a new account, click the "Sign In" button at the top right of YouTube.com and then click "Create Account."
- Step 2: Select the camera icon in the right corner to upload your video. Follow the prompts and make sure in the Visibility section you select Unlisted. Copy/paste and save the Video Link provided, and click Save. Setting the visibility to Unlisted keeps your video from public view and only allow those with the link to watch your performance.
- Step 3: Paste the links into the Video Submission form within your application confirmation email.
Repertoire
Division I (26 years old and under)
Round One
Snare System, Volume 2: #11 - Frédéric Macarez
Paris A - Joe Tompkins
Tom-Tom for Tom - Gene Koshinski
Round Two
Three Poems: No. 1 - Tom Sherwood
Complexus (from The Dynamic Snare) - Paul Rennick
Bifurcation - Duncan Patton
(New work commissioned for the 2026 MSDC)
Final Round
Angular Expanses - Jay Ryan
Solo of Choice
Division II (19 years old and under)
Round One
[A]tudes: #1 [A] - Caleb Pickering
Cooper - Michael Burritt
A Minute of News (from The Noble Snare) - Eugene Novotney
Round Two
Snare System, Volume 1: #8 - Frédéric Macarez
Cycles - Matt Penland
Solo of Choice
Junior Division (16 years old and under)
Portraits in Rhythm: #4 - Anthony Cirone
Drum Corps on Parade (from Modern Contest Solos for Snare Drum) - John S. Pratt
Six Unaccompanied Solos for Snare Drum: 1. Allegro con spirito - Michael Colgrass
Repertoire is available for purchase @ https://www.steveweissmusic.com
with the exceptions of the following:
Angular Expanses - email [email protected]
Cycles @ https://payhip.com/b/5Itx1
[A]tudes @ https://www.calebpickering.com/atudes
Paris A, Three Poems & Bifurcation also available through http://bachovich.com/