Competitions

RCMJD violinist in rehearsal
RCMJD holds nine internal competitions, details of which can be found below. These competitions are open only to current students of the Department.

RCMJD competition entry conditions & regulations

Entry for RCMJD competitions is via online forms. An email giving the link to the relevant competition application form will be sent to the parents/guardians and JD teachers of eligible students at least a fortnight before the students’ online form submission deadline. Fully-completed entries, including all original piano accompaniment parts, must be received by 5pm on the closing date. Entries submitted after this time cannot be accepted.

Peter Morrison Concerto Competition

Open to all first study students in school years 12, 13 or Extension Year.

  • Entry deadline: end of Wednesday 25 September 2024
  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 28 September 2024
  • Preliminary round rehearsals: Saturday 19 October and Saturday 2 November 2024
  • Preliminary round: 9am, Saturday 9 November 2024
  • Final round rehearsals: Saturday 16 November 2024
  • Final round: 3pm, Saturday 23 November 2024

Entry requirements:

For the preliminary round, each performance slot is 10 minutes (to include walking on/off stage, tuning etc, i.e. not more than 9 minutes performing time). Competitors should perform the first movement (or as much as will fit within 10 minutes) of a concerto or substantial work for soloist with orchestra (including cadenza where appropriate). If the first movement is significantly less than 10 minutes, a competitor may play the whole work or as much as 10 minutes will allow. Students who reach the final round must play the whole concerto.

Barbara Boissard Junior Concerto Competition

Open to all first study students in school years 9-10

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 20 November 2024
  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 23 November 2024
  • Rehearsals: Saturday 18 and Saturday 25 January 2025
  • Competition date: 9am, Saturday 1 February 2025

Entry requirements:

Each performance slot is 10 minutes (to include walking on/off stage, tuning etc, ie not more than 9 minutes performing time). Competitors are required to play a single movement (or as much as 10 minutes will allow) of a concerto or substantial work for soloist with orchestra (including cadenza where appropriate). A slow movement is acceptable if preferred.

Gordon Turner Competition

Open to all first study students in school years 11-13, or Extension Year.

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 27 November 2024
  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 30 November 2024
  • Rehearsals: Saturday 8 and Saturday 22 February 2025
  • Preliminary rounds: 9am, Saturday 1 and Saturday 8 March 2025
  • Final round: 9am, Saturday 15 March 2025

Entry requirements:

Each performance slot is 10 minutes (to include walking on/off stage, tuning etc, ie not more than 9 minutes performing time). As a guide, most students perform one or two contrasting pieces, though up to four pieces can be included as long as the competition’s platform time limit is not exceeded. Students who reach the final round must play the same repertoire as for the preliminary round.

Gordon Turner Harp Competition

For all first-study harpists.

Competition curated by Daphne Boden; all harpists are expected to take part.

  • Closing date: not applicable

  • Competition date: 2pm, Saturday 15 March 2025

Angela Bull Piano Competition

Open to all first-study piano students; repertoire must include one piece by an under-represented composer.

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 19 February 2025

  • Teacher approval deadline: 5pm, Saturday 22 February 2025
  • Competition date: 9am, Saturday 22 March 2025

Entry requirements:

Each performance slot is 10 minutes (to include walking on/off stage, tuning etc, ie not more than 9 minutes performing time). Competitors are required to include one piece by an under-represented composer; judicious choice of overall programme will be taken into consideration.

Marjorie Humby Competition

Open to all first-study students in years 7-10.

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 12 March 2025
  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 15 March 2025
  • Rehearsals: Saturday 26 April and Saturday 3 May 2025
  • Preliminary rounds: 9am, Saturday 10 and/or Saturday 17 May 2025 (as required)
  • Final round: 9am, Saturday 17 or 31 May 2025 (as required)

Entry requirements:

Each performance slot is 10 minutes (to include walking on/off stage, tuning etc, ie not more than 9 minutes performing time). As a guide, most students perform one or two contrasting pieces, though up to four pieces can be included as long as the competition’s platform time limit is not exceeded. Students who reach the final round must play the same repertoire as for the preliminary round.

Chamber Music Competition

Open to all Year 11-13/Extension year JD chamber groups (one member of a group may be Year 10).

  • Closing date: 5pm, Saturday 22 March 2025

  • Preliminary round: Saturday 3 and/or Saturday 10 May 2025 (as required)
  • Final round: 5.30pm, Saturday 7 June 2025

Entry requirements:

Groups must be nominated by their chamber music coach, performing one work or two contrasting works/movements. Groups will need to play for no less than 6 minutes and no more than 10 minutes, including walking on/off the stage and tuning.

Joan Weller Composition Competition

Open to all students of the Junior Department, whether or not composition is studied at the RCMJD.

  • Closing date: 5pm, Saturday 3 May 2025

Entry requirements:

A portfolio of up to three complete works of no more than 15 minutes total duration for solo or ensemble, submitted as PDFs. It is encouraged (though not mandatory) that the folder also contains MP3 files of recordings of any of the works submitted; especially if electronic or improvisatory elements are present in the work.

Hugh Bean String Competition

Open to all string players in years 8 and below.

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 30 April 2025

  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 3 May 2025
  • Rehearsals: Saturday 7 and Saturday 14 June 2025
  • Competition date: 9am, Saturday 21 June 2025

Entry requirements:

Each performance slot is 10 minutes (to include walking on/off stage, tuning etc, ie not more than 9 minutes performing time). As a guide, most students perform one or two contrasting pieces, though up to four pieces can be included as long as the competition’s platform time limit is not exceeded.

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