International Percussion Ensemble Competition (IPEC)

2025 International Percussion Ensemble Competition

Purpose:
The purpose of the Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition is to encourage, promote and reward musical excellence among middle school/junior high percussion ensembles, high school, nonprofit percussion ensembles, and college/university percussion ensembles.

Statement of Intent:
The integrity and fairness of this competition is of the utmost importance to the Percussion Ensemble Committee and PAS as its organizing body. The intent of the competition is to adjudicate live performances. Per the competition rules and procedures, all submission recordings must be created from a live performance(s) without edits (i.e. in “one take”) for consideration. We are aware that technology allows for the artful ability to manipulate recorded material, yet we respectfully ask all entrants adhere to the honor code that is the bedrock of this competition.

Competition Categories:

• Middle School/Junior High percussion ensemble (6th–9th grade students or international equivalent who are currently enrolled in that school).
• High School percussion ensemble (9th – 12th grade students or equivalent who are currently enrolled in that school).
• Nonprofit ensemble (students through 12th grade).
• College/University percussion ensemble (students who are currently enrolled).

Awards:
One (1) middle school/junior high, three (3) high school/nonprofit community ensembles, and three (3) collegiate percussion ensembles will be invited to perform at PASIC 2025 (November 12-15, 2025) in Indianapolis, IN. Each ensemble will be featured in a Showcase Concert (50–minute maximum program length).

Selected ensembles are expected to assume all financial commitments (room, board, travel), organizational responsibilities, and furnish their own performance equipment. PAS will provide ONE piano (if needed), music stands, chairs, basic sound reinforcement and lighting. Selected ensembles will be required to stay in the PASIC hotel block.

Middle School/Junior High, High School & Nonprofit Eligibility:

• All participants must be active members of PAS. The participants (director and all ensemble members) can either: (1) have individual PAS memberships, or (2) be a part of a group membership through their school/organization. International memberships are also valid when applicable. Please be prepared to submit membership information for all members with this application. This includes the full name of the ensemble member and the email address associated with their PAS membership. PAS ID numbers are NOT required.
• If your school is a group member, you are eligible to apply. Read details about group membership for your school.
• Ensemble directors and/or professional soloists are not allowed to participate as performers on the recording.
• Recorded submissions must be unedited and complete selections/movements from live, public concerts. Any edits will disqualify entry.
• Students must be enrolled in the school of the ensemble in which they are performing.
• Students may not participate in a percussion ensemble submission from more than one school/organization.
• Ensembles selected to perform at PASIC 2025 may apply again in 2028. Note: If your ensemble is selected to perform, please note that ensemble members who graduate in the Spring 2025 semester are not eligible to perform at PASIC 2025.

Procedures:

• There is a $75 entry fee.
• The submission recording must be created from a single live concert, OR composed of a compilation of selections from multiple concerts, recorded in front of live audiences, or streamed for live audiences, in “one take” (editing between selections for the sake of time constraints is permitted). Include a track listing of titles and composers for every work. Accepted audio file types: MP3, AIFF, WAV, AAC. No other types of audio files will be accepted or reviewed for the competition.
• The combined length of your recording submission(s) should not exceed thirty (30) minutes. The judges wish to observe your ensemble in a true concert setting, aka not an idealized “studio” environment. Only recordings made since January 2024 are eligible for the competition.
• All complete applications will be evaluated by a panel of five judges, whose feedback will be provided to the ensembles.
• Ensembles will be notified of the results in June 2025.

Note: If your ensemble is selected to perform, all performing college/university ensemble members MUST be active members, and enrolled in your school through the event dates of PASIC 2025. High School and Nonprofit ensembles must be either active members, or belong to an institution that holds a PAS group membership.

Applications Open: March 3, 2025

Deadline: April 30, 2025