2026 Categories and Resources:
This year we will have our solo categories, and we will be introducing some new group categories as well! Be sure to look through all the options below to see which ones you may be interested in.
If you still need access to your accompaniments and other resources, you can find them on the links under your competition category page below.
The Texas Music & Arts Department is pleased to announce the return of our annual solo competition for 2026. Based on the USA Eastern Territory's 'Star Search' initiative, ‘Lone Star Search’ has been created with the following objectives in mind:
Inspire the growth of soloists, building confidence and determination in our artists.
Offer a goal to work toward becoming the best in their chosen field.
Present opportunities for performers to expand their abilities, benefiting both corps and divisional music and arts programs.
Cultivate true artists dedicated to glorifying God with their gifts.
Enhance corps worship with encore performances from the solo competition shared at the local level.
PARTICIPANT REQUIREMENTS
Participants may start competing at the age of 7. This competition is open to all Junior and Senior soldiers, as well as prospective Junior and Senior soldiers who have been attending a corps for a minimum of 3 months by this event date, April 17, 2026.
ATTIRE
Round 1: Particpants should wear nice, neat clothing. Think Sunday best. No shorts, t-shirts, athletic wear, etc. Closed toed shoes must be worn. Creative arts participants are permitted to wear costumes that fit their piece. Please make sure all attire is church appropriate.
Round 2: Particiants should wear a divisional group polo or collared shirt. Long pants or jeans with no holes must be worn. Closed toed shoes must be worn. Creative arts participants are permitted to wear costumes that fit their piece. Please make sure all attire is church appropriate.
PERFORMANCE
For Round 1, each of the performance rooms will be set up with judges situated on one side and another area designated for peers and parents to observe the performances. This arrangement allows for an optimal viewing and evaluation experience. Round 2 will take place in the Chapel, where finalists will perform on stage in front of judges and a full audience.
Solo Competition Resources and Guidelines
COMPETITION ROUNDS
Round 1 (Competition):
Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
Time: 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Location: Exact locations are still TBD at this time, but competing rooms will be throughout the conservatory building, the surrounding annexes, and the chapel. These locations will be announced ahead of the event.Round 1 Schedule: The registration deadline is March 30, 2026. After the deadline, the Music & Arts department will post the Round 1 competition schedule to our website.
Time limits: Each performance will depend on category and level, but will not exceed 6 minutes.
Judging Criteria: Please click on the “Judging Rubric” link in each section below for more information on each discipline.
Audience Attendance: To ensure an enriching experience for all attendees, we encourage young people and participants (ages 7-22) to support multiple performances (participants should watch a minimum of 3, and observers should watch a minimum of 6). Youth will receive tickets upon entry, which will be punched at the door of each competition room. Once the minimum number of performances are attended, the completed tickets can be submitted at the conservatory lobby information table. An alternative option is available for those who meet this requirement, with activities in the Rec Hall.
Round 2 (Concert):
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: ChapelPerformance Order: The performance order for Round 2 will be determined based on the winners from Round 1. The program will be announced at breakfast on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Audience Attendance: All DMA participants will attend Round 2 and those living in North Texas and surrounding areas are welcome to attend as well. DMA rehearsals will take place after breakfast on Saturday and from there we will all head to the chapel for Round 2 of the competition.
Awards: The top award winners will be announced at the end of the Round 2 concert. Please join us in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our performers.
Registration will be open soon! The registration deadline is Monday, March 30, 2026. Please follow the button below to register for Lone Star Search 2026.
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Brass participants must purchase the solo compilation book through the Trade Department. These books will be used for future Lone Star Search competitions. All brass participants will use a recorded accompaniment track for round 1. If you prefer to bring your own accompanist, please notify Nohemi Elias by March 30. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Level One: Ages 7-10 - Breathe On Me
Level Two: Ages 11-14 - Children Go Where I Send Thee
Level Three: Ages 15-18 - I’ve Got Peace Like A River
Level Four: Ages 19-22 - This Little Light Of MinePlease contact Nohemi Elias for further information- Nohemi.elias@uss.salvationarmy.org
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Level 1 (ages 7-14): Participants must prepare one or both of the following solos. Percussionists may choose to do a snare solo or a drum set solo. Percussionists are permitted to do both solos if they choose. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Level 2 (ages 15-22): Participants must prepare one or more of the following solos. Percussionists may choose to do a snare solo, a drum set solo, or a keyboard (mallet) solo. Percussionists are permitted to do two or all three solos if they choose. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Level 2 - mallet *Soloists doing a mallet solo must choose their solo piece.*
Please contact Nohemi Elias for further information- Nohemi.elias@uss.salvationarmy.org
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Level 1 Solos (ages 7-14): All level 1 dancers must learn the assigned choreography using the instructional video linked below. Please watch the entire video and have all choreography memorized. Use the cut version of the song linked below when rehearsing. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Instructional video
Level 2 Solos (ages 15-22): All level 2 dancers must choreograph and perform their own solo. Dancers must choose a Christian song in any style and perform original choreography. Songs must be sent to Alex for approval by March 30. The dance must be at least a minute and a half in length and no longer than two and a half minutes. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Groups: Dancers performing in the group category must have 2 or more dancers participating. Groups can be made up of participants from up to 2 corps. Each corps is only permitted to have one group in this category. (One corps cannot be represented in more than one dance group).Dances are permitted to have one adult* participating for every 3 youth dancers. Groups must choose a Christian song in any style and perform original choreography. Songs must be sent to Alex for approval by March 30. The dance must be at least two minutes in length and no longer than three minutes. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
*anyone 23 or older is considered an adult.
Groups Level 1: ages 7-14
Groups Level 2: ages 7-22
Please contact Alex Harris (Griswold) for further information and song approval- Alex.griswold@uss.salvationarmy.org
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Levels 1 & 2 Solos: All drama soloists must memorize one of two monologues listed below. Participants in drama must purchase a drama script book through Trade. These books will be used for future Lone Star Search Competitions. The script must be fully memorized with appropriate characterization and blocking. All blocking must be original for each participant. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Level 1 script (ages 7-14): Fresh Linens, Fresh Water, Fresh Bread
Level 2 script (ages 15-22): A Father’s Faith (male soloists), Sons of Thunder (female soloists)
Groups: Actors performing in the group category must have 2 or more actors participating. Groups can be made up of participants from up to 2 corps. Each corps is only permitted to have one group in this category. (One corps cannot be represented in more than one drama group).Groups are permitted to have one adult* participating for every 3 youth actors. Groups must choose one of the scripts from the list linked below. All scripts must be fully memorized and have original blocking. Scripts can be adjusted to fit the number of participants in each group. Please send final draft of script with any adjustments made to Alex by March 30. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
*anyone 23 or older is considered an adult.
Groups Level 1: ages 7-14
Groups Level 2: ages 7-22
Please contact Alex Harris (Griswold) for further information and script review- Alex.griswold@uss.salvationarmy.org
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Level 1 (ages 7-14): Vocal soloists must prepare the following solo. All vocal solos must be memorized. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Level 2 (ages 15-22): Level 2 vocalists may use the song listed below but have the option to choose their own Christian song. Soloists can compose their own song. Soloists must provide their own accompaniment for choice songs. All choice songs must be sent to Nohemi Elias for approval by March 30. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Please contact Nohemi Elias for further information and song approval- Nohemi.elias@uss.salvationarmy.org
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Guitar particpants must prepare the following solo. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Level 1 Music (ages 7-14)- I Speak Jesus
Level 2 Music (ages 15-22)- Because He Lives
Please contact Anders Ljungholm for further information- Anders.Ljungholm@uss.salvationarmy.org
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Piano particpants must prepare the following solo. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
Level 1 Music (ages 7-14)- Lord, I Need You
Level 2 Music (ages 15-22)- Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
Please contact Nohemi Elias for further information- Nohemi.elias@uss.salvationarmy.org
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All groups participating in the praise team category must have 2 or more youth participants. Groups can be made up of participants from up to 2 corps. Each corps is only permitted to have one group in this category. (One corps cannot be represented in more than one praise team group). Praise teams are permitted to have one adult* participating for every 3 youth. Praise teams must prepare the song listed below. There must be a minimum of one guitar or piano and one singer. Additional instrumentation (such as brass and auxiliary) may be added once you have a piano or guitar. See judging rubric below for information on judging criteria.
*anyone 23 or older is considered an adult.
Groups Level 1: 2-3 youth participants
Groups Level 2: 4 or more youth participants
Praise team Lead Sheet (female friendly key)
Praise team Lead Sheet (male friendly key)
Chord Sheet (female friendly key)
Chord Sheet (male friendly key)
Brass Pack (female friendly key)
Brass Pack (male friendly key)
Please contact Anders Ljungholm for further information- (For example: changing the key of the song) Anders.Ljungholm@uss.salvationarmy.org