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General Info ​

When: October 3-5, 2025 - All Day 9am-8pm

Where: Barnsdall Gallery Theater in Hollywood, California

Why: To celebrate and expand the art of whistling and self-expression

Who: Brought to you by Creative Being Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring community and creativity through artistic self-expression.

 Schedule: TBA

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Competitor Guidelines

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 Auditions Application Form: All contestants must be accepted through the audition process outlined on our Audition page

Registration Payment: Date TBD

Registration Forms: All accepted contestants will be sent multiple registration forms that are required to complete in order to compete.

Music Form: Once registration and payment are submitted, MMW will provide details for submitting music. Due Date TBD

Song Length: 

- Youth Level - Your song may be a maximum of 4.5 minutes in length and a minimum of 2 minutes.

- Open Level - Your song may be a maximum of 4.5 minutes in length and a minimum of 2.5 minutes.

- Advanced Level - Your 2 songs may be a maximum of 7 minutes total and a minimum of 5 minutes

- Masters Level - Each song must be a maximum of 5 minutes and a minimum of 2 minutes..​

Prepare Two Songs: Prepare a minimum of 2 songs per division in order to have a backup. We try to avoid duplicate songs within each division, and you may be required to choose your alternate - you will be notified in advance if this is the case. Duplicate selections will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration Fees: $100 for the 1st division and $75 for each additional division. Masters Level is + $50 Live Band fee. Payment is due with registration.

- E.g. Two standard divisions total $175 ($100 + $75);

- Two standard divisions plus Live Band total $225 ($100 + $75+ $50);

- All four standard divisions total $325 ($100 + $75x3). 

Late Fee: Late registration will incur a late fee - due with registration. 

No Refunds: Registration fees are non-refundable for any reason.

Levels: There are four levels of competition. See Audition page for details.

(Note: Only Masters Level contestants are able to compete in the Live Band Division and are eligible to win the title of "World Champion.")

Divisions: Contestants may perform in any division(s) that they qualify for. See Audition page for details.

Awards: Winners of each division will receive awards. To qualify for the highest award of World Champion Whistler, you must be a Masters Level contestant. There is no cash prize. 

Dress: Professional, performance attire only. Semi-formal preferred. No casual wear during performances.

Mandatory Rehearsal and Orientation: ALL contestants must attend one or both:

- Orientation on 9am, Friday, October 3, 2025.

- Live Band rehearsal on Friday afternoon October 3, 2025.

Attendance: Competitors are expected to attend the event until the end of the awards ceremony on Sunday night. Whistlers are encouraged to be in the audience during all levels of competition. Optional events, such as group dinners, will be included in the schedule.

Media and Release: Positive media attention is always welcome at MMW. You must be willing to be filmed in order to to participate at MMW.

Contact: Communications should be sent to mastersofwhistling@gmail.com

Airports:  Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Burbank "Bob Hope" Airport (BUR)

Participant Conduct: You may be disqualified for disruptive or disorderly behaviour.

Genres:

-Popular  – Any non-classical style. Includes pop, rock, jazz, musical theater, film music, world music, original compositions etc.

-Classical - Compositions that are distinguished as music performed in a “classical” setting such as a concert hall, symphony hall, recital venues, or opera house. Western classical repertoire, opera, orchestral works, and instrumental solos etc. Compositions must be considered "classical music."  ​​

• ​Such as:

  • ​​Modern classical music or vintage pieces.

  • American, Asian, European and other composers.

  • Music written in the European tradition during a period lasting approximately from approximately 1750-1880 when forms such as the symphony, concerto, and sonata were standardized (e.g., Mozart, Debussy, or Bach).

    • ​​Your song must utilize a European/American musical scale

    • At this time Indian classical music is not an option

    • You may change the key of your Classical song, if the integrity of the song is maintained.​​​

    • ​Do thorough research, and/or consult local musicians to ensure that your your classical composition meets the requirements, you.

    • ​Your classical composition choice is subject to judges' approval, especially modern or obscure pieces.

    • Queen of the Night, and Chardas will not be accepted this year.

  • Contestants do NOT have to compete with the same song they auditioned with.​

• VISA - Please consult your local agency regarding visa requirements. Unfortunately, MMW cannot assist in visa and/or governmental logistics.

• LODGING - We do not have any block rooms on reserve. Airbnb.com, hotel search sites, and searching Google maps for "motels" are useful resources to find a room, apartment, or house to rent nearby. You may want to connect with other whistlers to see who is interested in sharing rooms or rides.​

• RECORDING: Your participation means you agree to be recorded and photographed. Content may be published for promotional reasons.

• We may have a video recording of the concert available for purchase after the event. TBD.

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Accompaniment& Performance

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​PRE-RECORDED ACCOMPANIMENT

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• Advanced Level contestants will perform both songs consecutively, during their turn.

• ​Contestants must provide .ai or .wav files of backtracks in advance. (Date TBD)

• NO VOCALS or whistling allowed on backtracks (20% point reduction).

• NO INSTRUMENTAL MELODY LINES on backtrack (25% point reduction). Ensure that your backtrack does not too closely mirror your whistling tones (e.g. flute or piano music must not be playing the same melody as the whistler throughout the song). Judges need to be able to distinguish whistling from recording. Points will not be deducted for normal, moderate overlap. (See Orientation Video at 11:00 for example.)

  • Example of what NOT to do

  • Example of what TO do  - this is an extremely simple arrangement, most backtracks have multiple instruments.

• Custom Classical Back Tracks: You may contact a pianist, Dr. James Lent we know for custom classical backtracks. Email:drjameslent@aol.com. Include song title, a recording of yourself whistling it at the tempo you like, with or without music, the key, and he'll create a version just for you and include a few changes.

 

LIVE BAND INFO  

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• Your video audition was the first level of competition.

• Masters Level contestants will not have an opportunity to compete in the Popular Pre-Recorded  Division.

• Whistlers may perform any Popular composition of their choosing. 

  • Your song must utilize a European/American musical scale.

  • Our professional piano, bass, and percussion musicians will accompany you during your performance.

• Requires rehearsal with the band on Friday, October 3, 2025.

  • You will be allotted a maximum of 10 minutes to rehearse with the band.

  • Time is very limited. If you have provided the correct reference music on your Contestant Form, in the correct key and style, the rehearsal process will be simple and swift. 

  • You will be given your mandatory audition time at orientation. 

  • You must be in the theater, ready to rehearse, 20 minutes before your rehearsal time.

  • Missed rehearsal may result in disqualification.

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LIVE BAND ACCOMPANIMENT REQUIREMENTS:

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​Our musical director will create a custom music chart for the band accompanying you during the competition. 

 

• You must upload the following details on the Contestant Form. 

• You will submit video links reflecting the SONG, ARRANGEMENT, STYLE, and KEY that you want to perform with the band.

  • Option A: If you have a link to a video/song in the exact Arrangement, Style, and Key:

    • You will submit a single link to the song you wish to perform. 

  • Option B: If you do not have a single video reflecting the exact way you want to perform the song:

    • You will submit multiple links for your song, which reflect each of the following:

      1. Arrangement

      2. Style

      3. Key

      • You may submit a link to a video of yourself whistling the song, in the Arrangement, Style, and/or Key as you wish to perform. 

      • It may be acapella or with background music.

      • You may record this on your phone or another device. 

      • Example: Submit an original Frank Sinatra video link of "Mac the Knife" which demonstrates the arrangement you like and also a video of you whistling it in the key you wish to perform it in.

• In addition:

  • You may submit piano music or additional chord charts if you wish.

  • A professional band chart of your song will be created by our musical director and made available for purchase $75.

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ADDITIONAL NOTES 

• The MMW is dedicated to promoting whistling as a fine art instrument. While we respect all types of music, we ask that competitors choose music that reflects our intention. Chirping and bird sounds, while a talent in itself, may be acceptable only if used as minimal ornamentation.

   

JUDGING GUIDELINES

    The following information is for reference only.

 

• Technical Ability – Rhythmic and note accuracy, breath support, dynamics, and shading, ability to perform the selection with the technique it requires. Is the tone pleasing and appropriate for the music at hand?

• Musicality and Interpretation – Musicality, expressiveness, phrasing, dynamics, emotional import, communicative power. Appropriate use of legato, staccato, rubato, portamento, etc… Is the whistling style appropriate for the selection?

• Stage Presence and Professionalism – Audience engagement, microphone technique, performance style, appearance, presentation, showmanship. Do you feel a connection to the performer? Do the energy and musicianship reach out and grab you?

• More Info:​

  • Tie breakers will be decided by judges.

  • Contestants are not promised an opportunity to see their scores. We will do our best to accommodate you

  • Judges will receive bonus points to award their top choice, ensuring the winner reflects the true favorite.