Deadline to Apply: October 31, 2025

Since its founding in 1979, the James Pappoutsakis Memorial Flute Competition has stood as a cornerstone of the Boston flute community, honoring the memory of one of the city’s most revered flutists and pedagogues. James Pappoutsakis, longtime second flutist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and distinguished teacher at the New England Conservatory and Boston University, left a legacy of artistic integrity, generosity, and mentorship that continues to inspire generations of flutists.

Now in its 46th season, the 2025–2026 competition invites outstanding conservatory students from across Boston to compete for performance opportunities, cash prizes, and professional development. The competition also celebrates the memory of Fenwick Smith, another influential flutist, through the award for the best performance of a modern work.

About the Competition

The James Pappoutsakis Memorial Flute Competition was established by former students and colleagues of Mr. Pappoutsakis shortly after his passing. It aims to support and encourage the artistic development of young flutists studying in Boston, a city known worldwide for its elite musical training and thriving arts scene.

Over the years, many finalists and winners have gone on to distinguished careers as soloists, orchestral musicians, and educators. The competition fosters a high standard of performance, while offering students visibility, feedback from expert judges, and meaningful professional connections.

Eligibility

Open to students enrolled in a degree program and studying flute at one of the following institutions in Fall 2024:

Berklee College of Music
Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Boston University
Longy School of Music
New England Conservatory of Music

Important Dates

Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
Preliminary Round: November 15, 2025 – Boston, MA
Final Round: March/April 2026 – Boston, MA
(Free admission. Open to the public.)

Prizes

First Prize:

$2,500 Cash Award
8 hours of professional recording time at Futura Productions with Grammy-nominated engineer John Weston
Gift certificate for Clean, Oil, Adjust service from Flute FX (value $395)

Second Prize – The William H. Grass Memorial Prize:

$1,500 Cash Award
3 hours of recording time at Futura Productions

Fenwick Smith Memorial Prize:

$500 Cash Award (for the best performance of a modern work)

Remaining Finalists:

Gift Certificate from a local music retailer

Finalists will receive a $100 stipend to support accompanist fees for the final round.

Application Process

Complete the online form at www.pappoutsakis.org
Submit a biographical statement and high-resolution promotional photo
Provide current teacher and school information
Pay a $50 non-refundable application fee
Follow @jpmf_boston on social media to allow tagging and competition updates

With a tradition spanning over four decades, the Pappoutsakis Competition continues to be one of Boston’s most respected platforms for emerging flutists. This is more than a competition—it’s a gateway to excellence, recognition, and professional growth.