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Updated 1/1/26
2026 National Virtual Solo Competition
A national music solo competition that goes beyond musical ability.
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1. Create a student profile.
2. Upload a solo performance video.
3. Receive national ranking and professional evaluation.
Compete nationally, earn public recognition, and win up to $500 all from the convenience of your home.
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Prizes
Prize amounts scale with participation, up to $500!

The prize amounts will increase as more students enter the competition as seen in the following chart.
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Current Entry Status: 1-50
Sharing the NVSC with friends can help grow participation and unlock higher prize tiers for everyone, all while getting noticed by colleges and drum corps! 
Share with Friends:  www.bNoteable.com/NVSC
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To participate, students must complete 2 steps.

  1. Complete your NVSC entry fee
  2. Have an active bNoteable student account
Registration is currently OPEN.
Sign Up Deadline: April 16th
Video Upload Deadline: April 20th 

Judging: April 21st - 30th
Please read the competition details below. When finished, click Sign Up at the bottom of the page.
Competition Rules

1. Competition Rules The Virtual Solo Competition is open to high school students in grades 9–12 who play Woodwind, Brass, or Percussion. Students must be at least 13 years old at signup. * The signup deadline is April 16. All solo performance videos must be uploaded by April 20 at 11:59 PM. Late submissions will not be accepted.
 * Past bNoteable competition winners are eligible to participate. However, winners of previous bNoteable Virtual Competitions must perform new repertoire and may not repeat a solo that previously won. * Students must maintain an active bNoteable account and keep their profile complete and accurate throughout the competition period. * Solo performances must be recorded specifically for this competition. Previously recorded, edited, or repurposed videos from other events or competitions are not permitted. * For solos with multiple movements, students may upload up to three video files. Movements may be grouped in any combination as long as they remain in numerical order. * For example, if a solo has four movements:     - Video Upload 1: Mvt. 1     - Video Upload 2: Mvt. 2 and 3     - Video Upload 3: Mvt. 4 * Accompaniment is optional and there is no penalty for performing without one. * Winners are selected based on profile accuracy and the technical and lyrical quality of the performance. Tempos should reasonably reflect the original intent of the music. * At the discretion of the judges, bNoteable reserves the right to not select a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place winner in any division. Judges’ decisions are final. * VERY IMPORTANT: To be viewed by the judges and considered for a cash prize, students must have a profile photo and earn either an All Star or Legend badge by the video upload deadline. * Cash prizes are awarded as Amazon gift cards and will be delivered by May 14. Prize notifications will be sent by May 7. * To receive a prize, bNoteable must receive verification from the student’s current music director confirming the accuracy of the student’s profile. Verification must come from a legitimate school or district email address. Personal email accounts will not be accepted. * Verified winners will be announced publicly by May 14. Winners agree to provide a promotional photo and grant permission for bNoteable to use their name, image, and results for promotional use and official competition documentation.

2. Video Recording Rules * All recordings must be made specifically for the 2026 competition. Videos from other competitions, performances, or prior years are not permitted. * Students may use any recording device, including a laptop or mobile phone. Do not add reverb, sound effects, filters, or audio enhancements of any kind. * Students may perform a single movement or an entire solo, based on what best showcases their abilities. The total combined length of all uploaded videos must be 8 minutes or less. * To be considered for a prize, each video must begin with the student stating clearly:
 “This is First/Last Name, performing ‘Solo Name’ for the 2026 bNoteable NVSC.”
 * After the introduction, you must record the entire video in one take without stopping or restarting the recording. Editing, cutting, splicing, or combining takes is not permitted.
 Side note: In past years, many students were disqualified from prize consideration for skipping this step. We strongly recommend keeping the script on your music stand if needed. * If a solo includes multiple movements, the introduction must identify the movements using the following format: “This is First/Last Name, performing ‘Solo Name,’ Mvts. 1 and 2 for the 2026 bNoteable NVSC.” Then, continue recording without stopping and restarting. Between movements, students may empty their instrument, turn pages, or take a brief pause without stopping the recording. * The student’s face and hand position must be clearly visible for the entire recording. * The performer in the video must be the owner of the bNoteable account submitting the entry. * Students should dress nicely for their performance. Formal attire is not required but a first impression matters. * Each video file must not exceed 2GB. When using a mobile device, record in 720p or 1080p. Recording in 4K or higher is not necessary.
 If upload issues occur, students may upload the video to YouTube and share the link in the YouTube link section of their bNoteable profile. * Video files must be clearly renamed before judging begins. 
Example: Use “CelloSuite-Mvt1.mov” instead of “IMG_1285939.mov.” * To be considered for a prize, students must perform their solo and any movements to the best of their ability, without musical, visual, or technical alterations.

3. Video Recording Tips * Choose a quiet location for your recording. There should be no background noise or audible distractions. * Keep the background simple and free of visual clutter. * Dress appropriately. You do not need to wear a suit or formal attire, but put some thought into how you look. Avoid busy patterns and overly bright colors. * Make sure your face and hand position are clearly visible for the entire video. * Always watch and listen to your recording before uploading it. You may delete and re-upload your video as many times as needed before the submission deadline.

4. How to Enter * Click the Sign Up button below and follow the 3 steps. * After you complete all 3 steps, you are officially signed up and your spot is confirmed! Good luck to everyone!

IMPORTANT VIDEO REMINDERS
• Videos cannot be re-used from other recordings or competitions.

• Introduce the piece and add that it is "...for the 2026 bNoteable NVSC."
Uploaded video files cannot exceed 2GB each. 
• Record in 720p or 1080p only.
• If you have issues uploading, simply upload to YouTube and include the link on your profile page.
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