Competitions may be controversial, grueling and, in the end, heart-breaking, but there’s no  denying that winning one can launch a major career. Culled from the hundreds of competitions in our data base, we’ve come up with a select list; in it you'll find information on frequency, deadlines, disciplines, semifinal and finals dates, eligibility, awards options (such as performances, management, and recordings), and much more.

In a special feature article, we asked five top competitors about what they’ve learned, both as winners and losers, through their experiences. "I always imagine myself being as nervous as possible and still playing well," said Austin Larson, winner of the International Horn Competition of America—just one nugget among many uncovered in our interviews.