Record field of musicians coming to SEMO for international horn competition

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — More than 100 horn players from around the world will compete at Southeast Missouri State University during the 2026 International Horn Competition of America.

The competition will be held Aug. 27-30 and will feature the largest number of competitors in the organization’s 45-year history.

Held every two years, the event attracts university students, professional musicians, military band members, orchestra performers and university faculty. This year’s competitors represent organizations including the Philadelphia Orchestra, U.S. Army Band and Panama Orchestra, as well as universities in the United States and abroad.

Each competitor will perform a complete solo work before a live audience and receive individualized feedback from adjudicators. Musicians will compete for cash prizes and special awards.

The professional division winner will also be invited to perform as a guest soloist with the Southeast Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra.

SEMO Department of Music Chair Nicholas Kenney first participated in the competition as a university student in 2001. He later became a finalist, professional competitor and adjudicator and now serves on the organization’s board of advisers.

“This is about much more than prizes,” Kenney said. “Students will hear outstanding performances, connect with professionals from major orchestras and universities, and gain an outside perspective on what excellence looks like.”

Performances will be held at Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall and Robert F. and Gertrude L. Shuck Music Recital Hall. The final round and awards ceremony are scheduled for Aug. 30.

All performances are open to the public and will be livestreamed on the SEMO Music YouTube channel.