Percussive Arts Society Spotlights Competitions, Open Calls and Black Swamp Showcase

Black Swamp Percussion has opened submissions for the 2026 Solo & Ensemble Showcase, described by PAS as "this premier digital competition" that invites high school and college percussionists across the United States to film performances and submit via the official portal. Ensemble Division Deadline: April 24, 2026; Solo Division Deadline: May 8, 2026. Winners of the 2026 Showcase will be featured across all Black Swamp social media platforms and YouTube channel, receiving national recognition for their artistry, and "Winners will take home world-class Black Swamp instruments to further their musical journeys." Tim Church of Black Swamp is quoted in the PAS roundup: "No matter where you place, you’re going to walk away a better musician."

The Percussive Arts Society compiled a run of regional percussion ensemble competitions and festivals for the Feb–May competitive window under the heading "The locations and dates of the 2026 competitions are:" The list in the PAS post reads exactly as follows: Forney H.S., Forney, Texas — February 27–28, 2026; University of Tennessee — February 28, 2026; Utah Valley University — March 7, 2025; University of Missouri — March 14, 2026; University of Central Florida — April 6, 2026; University of Texas San Antonio — April 11, 2026; Portland State University — April 18, 2026; Colorado State University — April 25, 2026; McCallum High School — April 25, 2026; Langham Creek High School — May 2, 2026. All events are first-come, first-served.

The Utah Valley University line appears as "Utah Valley University ……………………..March 7, 2025" inside a 2026 list, which conflicts with the stated 2026 context and requires confirmation with PAS or Utah Valley University before treating it as a 2026 date. The compilation also shows Langham Creek High School listed twice in the source; PAS or event hosts should confirm whether that duplication is typographical and which single date applies for participants planning travel or registration.

Adjacent to the Black Swamp item, PAS included an international composition note from MIPCA: "The award, endowed with €1,000, was granted following an evaluation process carried out by the percussionist, composer, and artistic director of the competition, David Moliner, who assessed the works anonymously according to artistic, structural, and technical criteria." PAS reported that "In addition to the main prize, 48 outstanding works were selected. Their composers will receive professional support, international visibility, and promotion opportunities." PAS also preserved MIPCA’s stated intent that "The selection of a single winner does not diminish the importance of the other awarded works: one of the fundamental aims of MIPCA is to actively promote all selected composers, fostering the dissemination of their music in professional, educational, and artistic contexts worldwide." The PAS roundup does not state a direct relationship between MIPCA and the Black Swamp Showcase; treat the MIPCA paragraph as a separate item unless organizers confirm otherwise.

PAS notes sponsorship activity for the spring ensemble season: "PAS Sponsored Percussion Ensemble Events" and "the Percussive Arts Society is proud to sponsor the Southeastern Percussion Ensemble Symposium, happening April 24-25, 2026, at Lassiter High School. Learn more about last year’s event at their website. 2026 information is forthcoming." The PAS Utah chapter also promoted a Day of Percussion event in mid-March, noting PAS UT chapter Day of Percussion dates on social channels and directing participants to chapter registration information.

These announcements sit squarely under PAS’s stated mission: "At PAS, our mission is to inspire, educate, and support percussionists and drummers throughout the world." For students planning to enter the Black Swamp Showcase, the concrete actions in the PAS post are clear: film your performance, submit via the official portal, and meet the Ensemble Division Deadline of April 24, 2026 or the Solo Division Deadline of May 8, 2026. Organizers listed in the PAS roundup remain the points of contact to confirm the Utah Valley University date, to correct the Langham Creek duplicate, and to provide entry details such as portal links, entry fees, judging panels, and prize instrument specifics.