Kolberg Germany represents a level of quality and innovation in percussion instruments and orchestral equipment that makes it one of the most difficult manufacturers to replace in the professional music industry. 

Founded in 1968 by Bernhard Kolberg and now continued as a family business, Kolberg has earned an international reputation for outstanding craftsmanship, innovation, and uncompromising sound quality. 

Produced with passion in their own manufactory in Uhingen, Germany, Kolberg instruments and stands are trusted by the world’s finest orchestras, renowned soloists, and leading music institutions. 

Combining traditional Swabian inventiveness with modern precision, Kolberg continuously sets new standards in percussion artistry and functionality.

“We are very excited to partner with Oberlin Conservatory of Music on this competition.
Oberlin’s extraordinary artistic tradition and deep commitment to supporting young musicians make them an ideal partner for a project dedicated to inspiring the next generation of percussion artists.”

Klaus Kolberg

Managing Director of Kolberg Germany

Oberlin College and Conservatory is one of the most distinguished institutions of higher education in the United States. Located in Oberlin, Ohio, it is a unique liberal arts college and world-class music conservatory combined into a single vibrant community. 

Renowned for its exceptional music programs, Oberlin Conservatory has long been a leader in training innovative, creative, and technically outstanding musicians. 

With a strong emphasis on artistic excellence, collaboration, and forward-thinking musical education, it attracts talented students from around the globe who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of their craft. 

The Conservatory’s state-of-the-art facilities — including its renowned recording studios — provide an inspiring environment for young artists to develop their skills and realize their artistic vision.

“This collaboration brings together two organizations that share a deep commitment to percussion, artistry, and education. We are honored to work alongside Kolberg to create meaningful, open opportunities for emerging young performers across North America.”

Ross Karre

Associate Professor of Percussion at Oberlin Conservatory of Music | Competition Director

Questions? 

Email to Ross Karre 

To support the advancement of creative percussion artistry and innovation among young players aged 14 to 25.

To create an inclusive and open format that welcomes all percussion artists from N. America.   

To raise awareness for creative, historic, or experimental percussion repertoire.  

To highlight living composers who are actively expanding the possibilities of percussion.

To give young artists the opportunity to express their most authentic creativity.

Creativity, sonic innovation, and a distinctive artistic voice are valued above all other criteria.

Apply for Competition

OPEN CATEGORY

Perform up to 10 minutes of any percussion music you choose.

Everything is welcome:

notated works
improvisation
drumset
percussion with electronics
experimental concepts
and more.

Not permitted:

Non-percussion instruments (winds, strings, solo non-acoustic electronics)
Vocal works without acoustic percussion
Piano works

INTERPRETATION CATEGORY

Select and perform a work from a curated list of notated solo pieces (traditional, graphic, or instruction-based).

The list also includes open-form scores that allow maximum freedom of interpretation.

HIGH SCHOOL

Agatha Zubel – mono-drum | Andres Timo – Listen to the Radio a Lot | Annie Gosfield – Iron Men and Bamboo Gods | Ayana Woods – Bloom Balloon | Bruno Giner – Etudes de Peaux #2: Satz | Dai Fujikura – Chirping Bird | Dai Fujikura – Uri | Emma O'Halloran – How Sweet the Thought of You as Infinite | Erik Griswold – Switch | Gala Flagello – Fragile Goods | Gala Flagello – Precious Metals | Gala Flagello – Speak | Juri Seo – The Well Seasoned Iron Pan | Karen Tanaka – Tale of Trees | Linda Caitlin Smith – Invisible Cities | Linda Dusman – And numberless quotidian happenings | Marcos Balter – Descarga | Nathan Davis – Tines | Nathan Davis – Dovetail | Nicholas Deyoe – Fantasia IIIb

COLLEGE

Agatha Zubel – mono-drum | Andres Timo – Listen to the Radio a Lot | Annie Gosfield – Iron Men and Bamboo Gods | Bruno Giner – Etudes de Peaux #2: Satz | Dai Fujikura – Chirping Bird | Dai Fujikura – Uri | Emma O'Halloran – How Sweet the Thought of You as Infinite | Erik Griswold – Switch | Gala Flagello – Fragile Goods | Gala Flagello – Precious Metals | Gala Flagello – Speak | Juri Seo – The Well Seasoned Iron Pan | Linda Caitlin Smith – Invisible Cities | Linda Dusman – And numberless quotidian happenings | Marcos Balter – Descarga | Nathan Davis – Tines | Nathan Davis – Dovetail | Nicholas Deyoe – Fantasia IIIb | Andrew McIntosh – Learning | Silvia Borzelli – Four Amazing Stories | Dai Fujikura – Be | Georges Aperghis – Le Corps à Corps | Gitta Steiner – Four Bagatelles for Vibraphone | Hanna Kulenty – One by One | Hilda Paredes – Tzolkin | Juri Seo – V | Juri Seo – Twelve Preludes | Linda Caitlin Smith – Clouds | Marcos Balter – Evens | Nathan Davis – Diving Bell | Nicholas Deyoe – Lullaby | Rebecca Saunders – Dust | René Leibowitz – Three Caprices

ALL VIDEOS MUST INCLUDE:

A spoken introduction that includes only the contestant’s name and the title of the selection should begin each recorded performance.
Contestants must appear in the video in full view and the camera must record in horizontal (not vertical video) mode.
The video recording must be made with one (1) video recording device (camcorder, smart phone, etc). Multicamera videos or videos with visible edits (including zooms) will not be eligible.
Your video recording device should be placed on a tripod or other stable surface. It may not be handheld.
If audio and video are recorded on separate devices, the competitor is responsible for their synchronization and combination into a single video file.
YouTube is the only approved platform for video link submission. Other platforms may be used at the competitors’ own risk. Uploads to YouTube should be “unlisted.”

"unlisted" video instructions 

QUICK VIDEO GUIDE

1) Is the camera on a stable surface or tripod?
2) Is the camera horizontal? (Not portrait, not vertical video)
3) Did you give a quick spoken introduction with your name and selection?
4) Is your audio and video perfectly sync’d?
5) Did you upload the video to YouTube as “unlisted”?
6) For those submitted to win the Grand Prize, have you created both the Open and Interpretation videos?

If yes to all those, you are ready to submit!

OPEN CATEGORY PRIZE

Highest Score

1000 USD Kolberg gift card

INTERPRETATION CATEGORY PRIZE

Highest Score

GRAND PRIZE

Highest accumulated score between both OPEN and INTERPRETATION scores

An all-expenses paid trip to Oberlin Conservatory’s Clonick Hall Recording Facility to create a professional audio-video recording of their winning performance(s).