Feature Article The Grand Competition Evolution of the 21st Century

February 2019

A Musical America Guide to Top COMpetitions Editor’s Note Our fifth annual Guide offers 86 annotated listings of all shapes and sizes of competitions. They range from piano to voice to woodwind to all of the above; from annual to biannual to quadrennial; some include master classes; some are open to the public and include live rounds, others are by recorded submission only. Some are just a few years old, others date A Musical America Guide to Top back a half century. Competitions are changing. Take, for instance, the Cleveland International Piano Competition. COMpetitions In the last decade, it has morphed from a one-off, biennial contest into to a quadrennial, 15-day festival with community and educational outreach programming and a year-round recital series. The U.K.’s Leeds Competition has undergone a similar transformation; so has the Liszt Competition in the Netherlands. As author John Fleming puts it in his article introduction, Pierre Van der Westhuizen “knows his way around piano competitions.” Van der Westhuizen, 40, and a former keyboard competitor himself, is largely responsible for the changes in Cleveland and has since moved on to be director of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and Awards in Kalamazoo, MI. The way he sees it, competitions are expanding for two reasons: First, an industry- wide recognition that it takes a great deal more than a contest win to make a career, much less a superstar. Secondly, a gathering of exceptional rising talent at one time and in one place is cause for celebration—of the instrument, the artists, and the repertoire. Why not open it up and bring in some proven talent, make it a “teachable moment,” and invite the public in the process? There are other reasons to move beyond the one-off, purely competitive model, he points out, among them, fund-raising is less difficult, without the possibility of a funder’s favorite candidate not winning a top prize. He also relates what qualities he looks for in a juror and explains how the Gilmore—a “non-competition” with a $300,000 top award as just one of its many facets—works. Few could argue that the idea of a “celebration” of an instrument and its performers is a more positive, inclusive approach—and less stressful for those in the spotlight. But be they evolving or staying the same, competitions of any stripe remain an exciting way to discover, develop, and honor our rising artists. Regards, Susan Elliott Editor, Special Reports

Cover credit: The 2015 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Photo: Rebecca Fay/Met Opera

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions  musicalamerica.com • February 2019 The Grand The Gilmore Based in Kalamazoo, MI, the Irving S. Gilmore International Competition Keyboard Festival and Awards, aka, “The Gilmore,” is a multi-pronged operation. The biennial Gilmore Keyboard Festival is a 100-concert event that brings some 50 major Evolution of the 21st Century talents—from Jeremy Denk to 2006 Gilmore Artist Ingrid Musical America talks with Pierre van der Westhuizen, Fliter—together for three weeks of concerts and master director of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and Awards classes. There are also series devoted to rising stars and piano masters, and two biennial Young Artist Awards of Pierre van der Westhuizen knows his way around piano competitions. $25,000 each. The most coveted prize is the quadrennial As a young pianist in his native South Africa, he participated in many of Gilmore Artist Award, of $300,000, chosen by an anonymous them before becoming a concert pianist, academic, arts administrator, committee, as explained in this article by Gilmore CEO Pierre and competition juror. In 2011, Van der Westhuizen, now 40, became van der Westhuizen. CEO of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, which he trans- formed from a traditional, single competition into a full-fledged event that also includes a festival, educational and community outreach, and By John Fleming year-round programming. Currently he is in his second year as director of the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival and Awards.

John Fleming, a regular Musical America: More and more competitions have been expanding, contributor to Musical much as you transformed the Cleveland. Is this a trend? America, is president of the Pierre van der Westhuizen: I think so, because two things have Music Critics Association of happened. One is that winning a piano competition now isn’t necessarily North America. He writes the fame-producing thing that people used to think it was. For me, the for Classical Voice North 2018 Artistic Advisory Committee: Numa Bischof Ullmann, artistic and executive goal of a competition is not to create a superstar. The goal is to identify director, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra; Christopher Roberts, president and CEO, America, Opera, and others. For 22 years, he talent and potential. I also think that many organizations have gone Robisong Consultants; Dan Gustin, former director of the Gilmore; Barry Kempton, covered the Florida music scene as performing arts artistic and executive director, Schubert Club; Elizabeth Ostrow, artistic planning back to the original impetus for competitions, which was to celebrate consultant and recording producer; David Baldwin, artistic and executive director, critic with the Tampa Bay Times. Pierre van der Westhuizen, Fontana Chamber Arts. Credit: Couresy The Gilmore. the piano and its repertoire. director of the Gilmore.

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions  musicalamerica.com • February 2019 The Grand Competition Evolution of the 21st Century

MA: What are some other competitions that have moved to a festival model? MA: Why don’t some funders like competitions? MA: At the Cleveland you gave artists the choice as to whether livestreaming PvdW: One that immediately comes to mind is the Liszt Competition in the PvdW: Well, if you attend a competition and fall in love with a certain con- of their performances was archived or not. Have there been occasions where Netherlands. They recently announced that they are repositioning themselves testant, there is the inevitable disappointment. Giving is a very personal thing; an artist didn’t want a performance online? by adding a festival. [For the first time, in 2020 the Competition will have a people give when they’re inspired. The disappointment can be difficult…. But PvdDW: Yes, it happens more often than you might think. Sometimes an central theme: Beethoven, as seen through the eyes of Franz Liszt.] Another if the competition is positioned as part of a festival that is focused on celebra- artist is just not happy with the way a performance went. I will never put is the Leeds Competition in England. Following last year’s competition, they tion, you can shift the narrative to go beyond winners and losers. anything up that an artist doesn’t feel comfortable with. Many competitions announced a festival addition, plus community outreach and other events. keep up livestreams even if contestants feel that they didn’t play well, but MA: Many competitions are making video livestreaming of performances a at the Cleveland if a contestant said he or she really didn’t like the way they MA: How did expanding the Cleveland Competition into a festival affect priority. Is that happening at the Gilmore? played, we always took the performance down. fundraising? PvdW: A competition with winners and losers, from a philanthropic stand- MA: There have been eight Gilmore Award recipients since 1991. Did they point, is not necessarily a compelling concept. But celebrating the arts and have competition pedigrees? promoting culture in the community, whether it be a competition or a con- PvdW: Igor Levit [2018 winner] was one of the youngest Rubinstein cert series or outreach activities, in my experience appeals to foundations, medalists. Ingrid Fliter [2006] won the Chopin Competition. Kirill Gerstein companies, and individuals. In Cleveland, we almost doubled our revenue [2010] also won at the Rubinstein. So yes, they’ve certainly seen the with the festival approach. competition circuit.

Seong-Jin Cho performs Franz Schubert on the Gilmore Keyboard Festival’s 2016-17 Rising Stars Series. PvdW: Absolutely, and especially nowadays when livestreaming is part of everyday life. I think it will get to a point where it will be odd if you don’t do it. It’s an interesting dynamic, because some artists are wary of livestreaming and being recorded with no editing afterward. But your audience becomes Igor Levit, 2018 Gilmore Artist. Ingrid Fliter, 2006 Gilmore Artist. bigger by a significant order of magnitude. We had the Korean pianist Seong- Credit: Robbie Lawrence. Credit: Sussie Ahlburg. Jin Cho on our Rising Stars series, and that video livestream has been viewed more than 280,000 times, which just blows my mind. Entrance to the Keyboard Festival.

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions  musicalamerica.com • February 2019 The Grand Competition Evolution of the 21st Century

MA: And you can’t really call the Gilmore Artist Award [with a prize of MA: You have said that the worst thing a contestant can do is to play for MA: There have been controversies at competitions over winners whose $300,000] a competition. the jury, yet I’ve interviewed competition winners who said they tried to teachers were on the jury. Some competitions no longer have teachers as PvdW: True. At the Cleveland, the entire process is out there for the public to determine what jurors wanted to hear. jurists. Is that a good idea? see in the Competition. At the Gilmore, it’s all behind the scenes. The artistic PvdW: I know, but I think it’s a mistake. I always think of [Musical America PvdW: I think it’s a knee-jerk reaction to replace your jury with only advisory committee for the 2022 award has been formed [it is top secret], and 2019 Artist of the Year] Daniil Trifonov, whose teacher, Sergei Babayan, I performing pianists. In Cleveland, we always asked jurors to recuse themselves we just sent out a letter to industry professionals all over the world asking for know very well. When Daniil was winning competitions, Sergei would say from voting on somebody who had been a student of theirs, and there was no nominations. From those nominations we whittle the list down until we reach that that was just Daniil being Daniil, that he just loved playing. You could discussion allowed in the jury room or elsewhere. I think you need a healthy the three or four we will follow. [The artists themselves are unaware they are tell the minute he walked onstage that he couldn’t care less who was balance. Educators have a good sense of the field of up and coming musicians, in the running.] We see these pianists in various settings—chamber music, adjudicating. He was just himself, he was just playing. I much prefer that over a and they know every note inside-out. solo, concerto—over an extended period of time. For me, that is one of the calculated approach. crucial differences between the Gilmore and competitions like the Cleveland MA: Competitions don’t have and the Cliburn or the Tchaikovsky. Instead of 14, 15 days, we follow these a great track record for choos- people over a two- or three-year period. ing winners who go on to The Gilmore is proof that as a competition you have to grow as an have glittering careers. organization and position yourself in the community as a partner in various PvdW: I don’t think winning endeavors. You can’t just pop up every few years and then disappear. It’s not a competition ever automati- a sustainable model. cally meant a long-lasting career. There’s so much more that goes into a career than Piotr Anderszewski, 2002 Gilmore Artist. Gilmore Artist Award Winners Rafal Blechacz, 2014 Gilmore Artist. Kirill Gerstein, 2010 Gilmore Artist. Credit: Marco Borggreve. just playing well. It’s an art 2018: Igor Levit, Germany and a business. There are market forces behind it. Even signing with manage- 2014: Rafal Blechacz, Poland MA: What do you look for in a juror? ment and landing a recording deal doesn’t mean you’ll have a major career. 2010: Kirill Gerstein, United States PvdW: An open mind. Somebody who is not wedded to his or her own Only time will tell. 2006: Ingrid Fliter, Argentina opinion of the repertoire. Somebody who is willing to be convinced of different 2002: Piotr Anderszewski, Poland viewpoints. Somebody who is collegial. I look for people who are at the top of 1998: Leif Ove Andsnes, Norway their profession either as an educator or a performer. 1994: Ralf Gothóni, Finland 1991: David Owen Norris, England

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions  musicalamerica.com • February 2019 The following listings were drawn from the 2019 Musical America Worldwide database. Competitions Note that the majority have first-prize monies of $10,000 and over. AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition...... 6 Geneva International Music Competition...... 24 The 10th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition...... 43 Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition...... 50 American Pianists Awards...... 6 Global Music Awards...... 25 The Parkening International Guitar Competition...... 43 Stulberg International String Competition...... 51 The American Prize: National Nonprofit Competitions The 17th International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition...... 25 The Parkening Young Guitarist Competition...... 44 Takamatsu International Piano Competition...... 51 in the Performing Arts...... 7 The Gurwitz International Piano Competition ...... 26 PianoArts...... 44 Toru Takemitsu Composition Award 2020...... 52 The Azrieli Music Prizes...... 8 The Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition...... 26 Plowman Chamber Music Competition...... 45 Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition...... 52 Banff International String Quartet Competition...... 9 Michael Hill International Violin Competition...... 27 Queen Elisabeth Competition—Belgium – Brussels...... 45 35th Valsesia Musica International Competition 2019...... 53 Barlow Endowment for Music Composition— 2020 Hilton Head International Piano Competition...... 28 The Queen Sonja International Music Competition...... 46 Viotti International Music Competition, Vercelli...... 53 prize Competition...... 9 Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition...... 28 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition...... 46 VSA International Young Soloists...... 54 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World...... 10 Honens International Piano Competition...... 29 Schmidt Vocal Competition...... 47 16th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition...... 54 International Telekom Beethoven Competition Bonn...... 10 International Double Reed Society Young Artist Competition...... 29 Franz Schubert and Modern Music...... 48 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition...... 55 Besançon International Competition for Young Conductors...... 11 International Piano Competition of Orléans...... 30 The Solti Foundation U.S...... 48 Wigmore Hall/Independent Opera William C. Byrd Young Artist String Competition...... 11 International Vocal Competition ’s-Hertogenbosch...... 31 Sphinx Competition...... 49 International Song Competition...... 55 Canadian International Organ Competition...... 12 Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition...... 31 9th International Louis Spohr Competition Wilson Center Guitar Festival...... 56 China International Music Competition...... 12 Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition Hannover...... 32 for Young Violinists...... 50 Young Concert Artists International Auditions...... 56 The Eighteenth International Johansen International Competition Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition...... 13 for Young String Players (ages 13-17)...... 32 National Chopin Piano Competition of the USA...... 14 Olga Kern International Piano Competition...... 33 Christmas Carol Commission Competition...... 14 The Kuleshov International Piano Festival and Competition...... 34 Cleveland International Piano Competition...... 15 The Lotte Lenya Competition...... 34 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival...... 15 The Gerda Lissner Foundation in Association Sixteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition...... 16 with the Liederkranz Foundation...... 35 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition...... 17 Liszt Competition...... 35 Concours Musical International de Montréal—CMIM...... 17 Long Thibaud Crespin International Competition...... 36 Thomas & Evon Cooper International Competition...... 18 Lyon International Chamber Music Competition...... 37 The Cooper-Bing Competition...... 19 The Mahler Competition...... 37 Discover National Chamber Music Competition...... 19 Eleanor Mccollum Competition...... 38 Emerging Artist Competition...... 20 MTNA National Student Competitions...... 38 A Musical America Guide to Top The George Enescu International Competition...... 21 National Association of Teachers of Singing Competitions...... 39 3rd Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition...... 40 and Masterclasses...... 21 Neue Stimmen International Singing Competition...... 40 COMpetitions Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition...... 22 Tenth Biennial New York International Piano Competition...... 41 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition...... 22 Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music Competition Forte International Music Competition...... 23 for String Quartet and Wind Quintet...... 41 International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition...... 24 Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition...... 42

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions  musicalamerica.com • February 2019 AGO/ECS PUBLISHING AWARD IN CHORAL COMPOSITION AMERICAN PIANISTS AWARDS

The competition seeks outstanding compositions ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Organ & SATB chorus The winner of the American Pianists Awards DETAILS for SATB chorus and organ in which the organ plays receives a two-year fellowship worth over $100,000, Travel covered? Yes a distinctive and significant role; requirements vary DETAILS including a $50,000 cash award and career Frequency Quadrennial for each competition. There is a $2,000 cash prize Travel covered? No assistance for two years, to include publicity, public First prize More than $50,000 and publication by ECS Publishing. Frequency Biennial performances, and other opportunities worldwide. Smallest prize $11,000 to $50,000 First prize Less than $10,000 The American Pianists Awards alternate between Additional prizes Performances MAIN OFFICE Jury chair(s) Not provided jazz and classical piano. Management 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1260 Jury size 1 to 5 Recording New York, NY 10115 Application deadline June 30, 2020 MAIN OFFICE Jury chair(s) Not provided UNITED STATES American Pianists Association Application notes Jury size 11 or more 212- 870-2310 4603 Clarendon Road, Suite 030 Application deadline December 31, 2019 email website Deadline is tentative and subject to change. Indianapolis, IN 46208 UNITED STATES SEMIFINALS (live rounds) ELIGIBILITY FINALS (live rounds) TBA 317-940-9945 Jazz piano rounds are ongoing through February 23, The competition is open to all composers except email website 2019; The Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, IN. AGO/ECS past winners. Membership in the AGO is COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Classical rounds begin in March 2020 and run not required. ✖ Not open to the public ELIGIBILITY By nomination only through February 2021. ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano FINALS (live rounds) Jazz piano finals: April 5 and 6, 2019, Hilbert Circle Theater, Indianapolis, IN 16 to 28 Classical finals: April 2021 COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? March ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed 2020 Social links

Application deadline 1 May 2019 Selection rounds in New York, Moscow, Tbilisi, Beijing, THE Hong Kong & Utrecht BEETHOVEN EDITION www.liszt.nl

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions  musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE AMERICAN PRIZE: NATIONAL NONPROFIT More than € 10,000 prize money COMPETITIONS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS Jury Dame Felicity Lott - Jard van Nes Providing evaluation, recognition, and reward to First prize Less than $10,000 Thomas Oliemans - David Selig et al. America’s finest performing artists, ensembles, Smallest prize Less than $5,000 and composers, based on recorded performances. Additional prize Performances Professional, college/university, community, high Jury chair First Round school—no age limits. The American Prize is proud David Lazaar Katz, chief judge 17 May 2019 Zeist to have awarded over $60,000 in cash prizes in all Additional jurors 30 June 2019 ’s-Hertogenbosch categories since 2010. Some of our distinguished judges include Sharon 53rd International TBA Zürich Sweet and Susanne Mentzer, voice; Jeffrey Biegel, YouTube MAIN OFFICE piano; Lorin Hollander, piano; Judith Zaimont, Vocal Competition HCMT—The American Prize composition 25 Hamilton Drive, Suite 100 Jury size 1 to 5 LiedDuo In cooperation with the CIMCL (Lyon) The Opera Cottage ’s-Hertogenbosch Application fee Danbury, CT 06811 $45 individuals, $80 ensembles Netherlands UNITED STATES Application deadline April 30, 2019 203-746-2694 20-24 Nov 2019 ivc.nu email website Application notes June 3, 2019: Deadline for composers, chamber ELIGIBILITY musicians, instrumental soloists, classical vocalists The competitions of The American Prize are open and pianists to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others currently living, working, July 1, 2019: Deadline for conductors, ensembles, and/or studying in the U.S., its protectorates stage directors, arts administrators, and American and territories. There are separate categories for music performance professional, college/university, community, and high-school age solo musicians and ensembles. SEMIFINALS & FINALS The American Prize judges recorded performances ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES only, submitted via online links or on disc. There Conducting • Piano • Strings • Voice • Conductors is no live competition. The contests select semi- • Composers • Pianists (Lorin Hollander Award) finalists, finalists, runners-up, and winners in • Classical Vocalists (Friedrich & Virginia Schorr separate announcements over the course of the Award) • Orchestras • Choruses • Bands • Opera contest year. The American Prize is administered Companies • Musical Theater Companies • Stage by Hat City Music Theater, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit Directors (Charles Nelson Reilly Award) • Arts Admin organization. DETAILS COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Travel covered? No ✖ Not open to the public Frequency Annual Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions  musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE AZRIELI MUSIC PRIZES The biennial Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP) offer opportunities for the discovery, creation, performance, and celebration of excellence in new concert music through the awarding of three $50,000 cash prizes: The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music, the Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music, Orchestra); Canadian Prize: Ana Sokolovic and the Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music. (Université de Montréal) Additional jurors MAIN OFFICE Jewish Prizes Jury: Betty Olivero, music 22 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 202 composition, Bar Ilan University; Brian Current, Toronto, ON M4T 2S3 composer/conductor, The Royal Conservatory; Neil CANADA Levin, artistic director, Milken Archive of Jewish 416-322-5928 x326 Music; Steven Mercurio, conductor, past music email website director, Spoleto Festival ELIGIBILITY Canadian Prize Jury: Andrew Staniland, music With the 2020 prize cycle, the Azrieli Music composition, Memorial University; Barbara Croall, Prizes call for chamber music works for up to 16 freelance composer; David Pay, artistic director, musicians, and a duration of 15 to 25 minutes. Music on Main; Mary Ingraham, musicology, The $50,000 CAD Azrieli Commission for Jewish University of Alberta Music is awarded biennially to encourage composers to engage with the question, “What Jury size 6 to 10 is Jewish music?” Starting with the 2020 prize Application fee $0 cycle, this commission will be open to Application deadline September 1, 2019 composers of all nationalities, faiths, and affiliations. The 2020 prize cycle also introduces Application notes The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music. This Call for Scores and Proposals Opens: February 4, $50,000 CAD award is offered to a Canadian 2019; Both Commissioning Prizes (Canadian and composer to create a new musical work that Jewish) Close: May 5, 2019; Prize for Jewish Music engages with the challenge of composing Closes: September 1, 2019. concert music in Canada today. FINALS (live rounds) ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Composition Winner’s Gala Concert held biennially in mid- October on even years in Montréal, Canada. For DETAILS the 2020 Gala Concert, the Azrieli Music Prizes Travel covered? Yes is pleased to partner with Le Nouvel Ensemble Frequency Biennial Moderne and conductor Lorraine Vaillancourt. First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Additional prizes Performances COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✖ ✖ Recording Semifinals Semifinals streamed ✔ ✔ Jury chair(s) Finals Finals streamed Jewish Prizes: Boris Brott (McGill Chamber Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions  musicalamerica.com • February 2019 BANFF INTERNATIONAL BARLOW ENDOWMENT FOR MUSIC COMPOSITION— STRING QUARTET COMPETITION PRIZE COMPETITION

BISQC gives audiences an in-depth and behind- ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings The 2019 winning composer receives a $12,000 ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Composition the-scenes look at the thrill and heartbreak of a live commission for a major new work of 9-12 minutes chamber music competition as 10 of the world’s DETAILS for Pierrot + percussion and electronics. The work DETAILS best young string quartets vie for generous cash Travel covered? Yes will be performed by consortium of ensembles: Travel covered? No prizes, along with a two-year paid residency at Frequency Triennial Crash Ensemble (Dublin, Ireland), Eighth Blackbird Frequency Annual SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts. Jury chair(s) Not provided (Chicago, IL), and New York New Music Ensemble First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Jury size 6 to 10 (New York, NY). Additional prize Performances MAIN OFFICE Application fee $200 Jury chair(s) Not provided 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive Application deadline March 1, 2019 MAIN OFFICE Jury size 6 to 10 PO Box 1020 Banff, AB T1L 1H5 A-501 HFAC Application deadline June 1, 2019 CANADA FINALS (live rounds) Brigham Young University 888-967-6901 August 26 – September 1, 2019: One complete Provo, UT 84602 Application notes email website quartet from the following list: UNITED STATES This deadline is a RECEIPT deadline, NOT mailing Ludwig van Beethoven: Opus 59, No. 1, 2, or 3; Opus 801-422-8611 deadline. ELIGIBILITY 127; Opus 130 (Competitors may choose as last email website The Competition is open to string quartets of all movement either the Finale: Allegro from Op.130 or FINALS (live rounds) nationalities whose members are under the age the Grosse Fuge from Op. 133); Opus 131; Opus 132; ELIGIBILITY Notification of winners will be announced on of 35 on August 26, 2019. First and second prize Opus 135 There are no restrictions with regard to musical website and Facebook by September 15, 2019. winners of any previous Banff International String style, nationality, age, gender, race, religion, or All performances take place in the Eric Harvie COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Quartet Competition (BISQC) are ineligible to apply. political persuasion. The only limitations are: (1) ✖ Not open to the public Quartets that have already competed twice in BISQC Theater at Banff Center. composers who have won the Barlow Prize in the are ineligible to apply. COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? previous five years will not be considered; and (2) Social links ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed members of the Barlow Boards are not eligible. ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions  musicalamerica.com • February 2019 BBC CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL TELEKOM SINGER OF THE WORLD BEETHOVEN COMPETITION BONN

BBC Cardiff Singer of the World is known throughout Jury chair The Competition focuses on works by Beethoven DETAILS the classical music world as one of the premiere David Pountney CBE, Artistic Director, Welsh from every phase of his creative life, along with Travel covered? Yes showcases for young professional singers at National Opera compositions by his predecessors, contemporaries, Frequency Biennial the start of their careers. It is broadcast on BBC and successors. Candidates may add works of First prize €10,000 to €50,000 Television, Radio, and online, and can be seen and Additional jurors their choosing to the compulsory program. Next Smallest prize €5,000 to €10,000 heard throughout the world. Dame Felicity Lott, Frederika von Stade, Robert competition will take place in December 2019. Additional prize Performances Holl, Jose Cura, John Gilhooly, Wasfi Kani, Malcolm Jury chair MAIN OFFICE Martineau MAIN OFFICE Prof. Pavel Gililov, Artistic Director BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Jury size 1 to 5 c/o Beethovenfest Bonn Additional jurors Music Department, Room E4101 Application deadline July 15, 2018 Kurt-Schumacher-Str. 3 Dmitri Alexeev, Michel Béroff, Hyoung-Joon Chang, BBC Cymru Wales 53113 Bonn Application notes Hisako Kawamura, Paul Schenly, Ilona Schmiel, Henri Broadcasting House, Llandaff GERMANY Sigfridsson, Natalia Trull Cardiff CF5 2YQ Wales The BBC reserves the right to extend the closing +49 228 181 11 181 date. Jury size 6 to 10 UNITED KINGDOM email website Application fee €50 +44 303 0802855 SEMIFINALS (live rounds) ELIGIBILITY Application deadline May 10, 2019 email website June 16-19, 2019: Main Prize Preliminary Rounds, Pianists from all nations, as well as stateless persons, Application notes ELIGIBILITY four concerts, St. David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wales, United who are between 16 and 32 years old at the time of Kingdom The application, including all required documents, Open to singers of any nationality, at the beginning the Competition. must be carried out entirely via our website. of their professional career, who will have probably June15-17, 2019: Song Prize Preliminary Rounds, ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano studied at a conservatory of music or equivalent. four recitals, Royal Welsh College of Music and SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Entrants must have been born between June Drama, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom 1st to 3rd round will take place at the Telekom 23,1986 and June 14, 2001. See the rules on our Zentrale, Bonn, Germany. website for more details. FINALS (live rounds) June 22, 2019: Main Prize Final, St. David’s Hall, FINALS (live rounds) ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom The chamber music final will take place at the Telekom Zentrale, Bonn, Germany. DETAILS June 20, 2019: Song Prize Final, St. David’s Hall, Travel covered? Yes Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom The orchestra final will take place at the Telekom Frequency Biennial Forum, Bonn, Germany. First prize €10,000 to €50,000 COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Smallest prize Less than €5,000 ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ ✔ Additional prize Performances ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Semifinals Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 10 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 BESANÇON INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION WILLIAM C. BYRD FOR YOUNG CONDUCTORS YOUNG ARTIST STRING COMPETITION

Established in 1951 the Besançon Conducting Additional jurors The William C. Byrd Young Artist String Competition ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings (2020) • Competition is the most complete conducting Catherine Larsen-Maguire, conductor (GB); Éric was started by William C. Byrd, conductor of the Flint Woodwinds & Brass (2021) • competition in the world with classical, Romantic, Tanguy, composer (FR); Jean-François Verdier, Symphony Orchestra, for the purpose of helping Voice (2022) 20th-century and contemporary music, oratorio, and conductor and music director, Orchestre Victor launch careers for young musicians. Following his opera. Alexander Gibson, Gerd Albrecht, Seiji Ozawa, Hugo Franche-Comté (FR); Timothy Walker, artistic untimely death, the St. Cecilia Society of Flint, MI, DETAILS Michel Plasson, Zdenek Macal, Sylvain Cambreling, director, London Philharmonic Orchestra (GB); has continued to sponsor the annual classical music Travel covered? No and Yutaka Sado are among the most prestigious Liza Kerob, solo violin, Orchestre philharmonique competition. Frequency Annual winners of the Competition. de Monte-Carlo (FR); Annette Mangold, artistic First prize Less than $10,000 advisor, Berliner Philharmoniker (DE); Serge Baudo, MAIN OFFICE Smallest prize Less than $5,000 MAIN OFFICE conductor, honored member invited for the Final c/o Flint Institute of Music Additional prize Performances Festival de musique round (FR) 1025 East Kearsley Street Jury chair N/A Concours de jeunes chefs d’orchestre Jury size 6 to 10 Flint, MI 48503 Additional jurors N/A 2 rue Morand Application fee €250 UNITED STATES Jury size 1 to 5 25000 Besançon Application deadline January 18, 2019 810-964-9399 or 810-793-0538 Application fee $75 FRANCE email website Application deadline January 12, 2020 +33 38 125 0585 Application notes: ELIGIBILITY email website Registration subject to availability. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Contestants cannot have an agent. Instrumentalists March 7, 2020, 8:00am to 5:00pm ELIGIBILITY SEMIFINALS (live rounds) must be younger than 31 on the day of the Flint Institute of Music, Flint, MI The Competition is open to candidates of April 15 – May 4, 2019: Semi-final rounds involving Competition, and vocalists must be younger than 35 any nationality under the age of 35. No prior a maximum of 90 candidates are held in Berlin on the day of the Competition. FINALS (live rounds) qualifications are required. (Hochschule für Musik “Hanns Eisler”), Beijing March 7, 2020, 7:00pm, five finalists in concert (Central Conservatory of Music), Montréal (Faculté Flint Institute of Music, Flint, MI ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Conducting de musique de l’Université de Montréal), and COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? DETAILS Bescanon (Conservatoire à rayonnement régional ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed Travel covered? Yes du Grand Besançon). ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed Frequency Biennial FINALS (live rounds) First Prize €10,000 to €50,000 September 16-21, 2019 Additional prizes Performances Management COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Jury chair ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed Yan Pascal Tortelier, Music Director Iceland ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Symphony Orchestra (FR) Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 11 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL ORGAN COMPETITION CHINA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION

Competitors from around the world will be meeting ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Organ The China International Music Competition is an ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Strings • Voice in Montréal for the chance to win prizes totaling annual competition beginning with piano in May over $95,000 USD in cash and other prizes. They DETAILS 2019, with disciplines for subsequent competitions DETAILS are immersed in an intensive program, with an Travel covered? Yes to be determined. The competition is hosted by the Travel covered? Yes international jury and supportive CIOC team, Frequency Triennial China Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Frequency Annual allowing them to leave Montréal as more confident First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Jury chair(s) Not provided musicians. Smallest prize Less than $5,000 MAIN OFFICE Jury size 11 or more Additional prizes Performances No.1 Anxiang Road Application fee TBA MAIN OFFICE Management Chaoyang District Application deadline January 1, 2020 1200, rue de Bleury Recording Beijing 100101 Montréal, QC H3B 3J3 Jury chair CHINA FINALS (live rounds) CANADA Jean-Willy Kunz, Artistic Director, Canadian +8615001117076 TBA 514-510-5678 International Organ Competition email website COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? email website Additional jurors ✔ ✔ ELIGIBILITY Semifinals Semifinals streamed Martin Baker (UK), Bernard Foccroulle (Belgium), ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed ELIGIBILITY Michael Kapsner (Germany), Rachel Laurin (Canada), Age limits will vary depending on the discipline. The CIOC is open to organists of all nationalities William Porter (U.S.), Louis Robilliard (France), born after October 21, 1985. To be admitted to Dong-Ill Shin (South Korea), Patricia Wright (Canada) the CIOC, candidates must send a completed Jury size 6 to 10 registration file bearing a postmark prior to January Application fee $112 31, 2020. Only complete files will be processed. The Application deadline January 31, 2020 First prizewinner of any previous CIOC competition is ineligible to apply. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) October 11-12, 2020 at Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Montréal, QC, Canada. FINALS (live rounds) October 16, 2020 at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montréal, QC, Canada. COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

Information:

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 12 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE EIGHTEENTH INTERNATIONAL FRYDERYK CHOPIN PIANO COMPETITION

Organized since 1927 in Warsaw, the Chopin Com- petition numbers among the oldest music tourna- Application fee €100 ments, and at the same time, is the only mono- Application deadline December 1, 2019 graphic competition of such standing in the world. Application notes: MAIN OFFICE The application should be submitted to the Institute The Fryderyk Chopin Institute using the electronic form available on the Institute’s Tamka 43 website. Candidates should submit the original 00-355 Warszawa of the application form. Electronic versions of the POLAND application form will not be accepted. Applications +48 224416101 should be submitted to the Institute no later than email website December 1, 2019 (if sent by mail, the postmark deadline is December 1, 2019). Upon receipt of a ELIGIBILITY Competition application deemed to be complete, The Competition is open to every pianist the Institute will confirm its acceptance. representing a professional level of performance, who was born between 1990 and 2004 and who SEMIFINALS (live rounds) meets the requirements described below. October 14-16, 2020, Warsaw Philharmonic, Warsaw, Poland ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano FINALS (live rounds) DETAILS October 18-20, 2020, Warsaw Philharmonic, Warsaw, Travel covered? No Poland Frequency Quadrennial First prize €10,000 to €50,000 COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Smallest prize €5,000 to €10,000 ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed Jury chair(s) TBA ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Additional jurors The Jury of the Competition will comprise PAST COMPETITION WINNERS outstanding Polish and foreign musicians. 2015 Seong-Jin Cho Jury size 11 or more 2005 Rafal Blechacz 1980 Dang Thai Son 1975 Krystian Zimerman 1965 Martha Argerich Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 13 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 NATIONAL CHOPIN PIANO COMPETITION OF THE USA CHRISTMAS CAROL COMMISSION COMPETITION

The National Chopin Piano Competition (NCPC) Additional jurors The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir announces ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Composition is open to pianists holding U.S. citizenship, Ning An, U.S. winner of 2000 National Chopin its 10th annual Christmas Carol Commission born between 1990 and 2004, demonstrating & 2003 William Kapell International Piano Competition as part of its commitment to the future DETAILS professional level of performance. Held every Competitions; Edward Auer, U.S. prize winner of choral music. Travel covered? Yes five years, NCPC follows closely the rules of the of the 1965 International Chopin Competition; Frequency Annual International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Dang Thai Son, Vietnam/Canada, 1980 winner of MAIN OFFICE First prize Less than $10,000 Poland. Its top winners are accepted to the Warsaw the International Chopin Competition; Krzysztof 4600 Sunset Avenue Jury chair(s) Not provided Competition automatically. Jablonski, Poland, prize winner of the 1985 Lilly Hall A040 Jury size 1 to 5 International Chopin Competition in Warsaw; Dean Indianapolis, IN 46208 Application fee No fee MAIN OFFICE Kramer, U.S., 1975 winner of the National Chopin UNITED STATES Application deadline May 31, 2019 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117 317-940-9057 Competition; Jon Nakamatsu, U.S., 1995 winner of Application notes: Miami, FL 33141 the NCPC and 1997 winner of Cliburn International email website UNITED STATES Compositions must be in PDF format and emailed Piano Competition; Katarzyna Popowa Zydron, ELIGIBILITY to [email protected]. No consideration 305-868-0624 Poland, internationally accomplished pianist, chair email website Composers 35 years of age or younger (as of will be given to entries received after the deadline. of the jury of the International Chopin Competition December 1, 2019) who are U.S. citizens or legal Submitted materials will not be returned. Questions ELIGIBILITY in Warsaw; Margarita Shevchenko Russia/ U.S., prize residents may submit one composition. Submitted may be e-mailed to [email protected]. A The National Chopin Piano Competition (NCPC) winner of the Cleveland and Chopin International works must be original, unpublished, and have submission form must accompany the composition. is open to pianists holding U.S. citizenship (native Piano Competitions not been publicly performed; between three- and born and naturalized) born between 1990 and 2004. Jury size 6 to 10 five-minutes long; written for SATB, mixed adult FINALS (live rounds) Application fee $100 choir; and may be a cappella or utilize keyboard The winner will be notified by September 30, 2019 ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano Application deadline November 4, 2019 accompaniment. Text and language are at the and the selected composition will be performed by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir at its five annual DETAILS Application notes: discretion of the composer and should be suitable for a Christmas/holiday performance. Festival of Carols concerts in Indianapolis, IN. A cash Travel covered? No This Competition is held every five years. prize of $2,500 plus travel and lodging for the world Frequency Quinquennial SEMIFINALS (live rounds) premiere in December 2019 will be awarded to the First prize More than $50,000 winning composer. Smallest prize $5,000 to $10,000 February 22-27, 2020: Three live rounds, Chopin Additional prizes Performances music only, Miami-Dade County Auditorium, COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Recording Miami, FL ✖ Not open to the public Jury chair FINALS (live rounds) Social links Kevin Kenner, faculty member of the Frost School of February 29 and March 1, 2020, Miami-Dade County Music at the University of Miami Auditorium, Miami, FL COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 14 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 CLEVELAND CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION JUNIOR PIANO COMPETITION AND FESTIVAL

Fifteen days of exquisite performances, informative ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano May 31 – June 8, 2019, quadrennial international ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano round-table discussions, and parties. Audiences competition for 13- to 17-year old pianists held in experience the best of the best and the First Prize DETAILS Dallas, TX, on the campus of Southern Methodist DETAILS winner takes home an award of $75,000, a Carnegie Travel covered? Yes University and at Meyerson Symphony Center. Jury Travel covered? Yes Hall recital debut, a recording on the Steinway & Frequency Quadrennial chairman: Alessio Bax. All performances are webcast Frequency Quadrennial Sons label, and the launch of a U.S. concert career. First prize More than $50,000 live and on demand. Final round performances are First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Smallest prize $5,000 to $10,000 with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Smallest prize Less than $5,000 MAIN OFFICE Additional prizes Performances Jury chair Alessio Bax, pianist 20600 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 1110 Management MAIN OFFICE Additional jurors Shaker Heights, OH 44122 Recording 201 Main Street, Suite 100 Phillipe Bianconi, Sa Chen, Angela Cheng, Valery UNITED STATES Jury chair Fort Worth, TX 76102 Kuleshov, Lowell Liebermann, Aviram Reichert 216-707-5397 Matti Raekallio, The Juilliard School UNITED STATES Jury size 6 to 10 email website Jury size 6 to 10 817-738-6536 Application deadline January 10, 2019 Application fee $150 email website ELIGIBILITY Application deadline November 26, 2019 FINALS (live rounds) Open to pianists of any nationality between the ELIGIBILITY June 8, 2019. Three finalists perform full concertos ages of 18 and 32. Eligibility for the Competition FINALS (live rounds) Applicants must have been born between June 8, with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Meyerson is determined by the contestant’s age as of August August 7-8, 2020 at Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH 2001, and May 31, 2006. Symphony Center. Dallas, TX. 8, 2020. COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 15 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 bleckanzeige19:09 11.01.19 14:03 Seite 1

SIXTEENTH VAN CLIBURN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

May 28 – June 12, 2021. Quadrennial international ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano piano competition held at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, TX. Winners receive cash prizes, as well DETAILS as three years of comprehensive artist management Travel covered? Yes services and tour booking, professional recording, Frequency Quadrennial INTERNATIONAL publicity services, and more. Fully produced live First prize More than $50,000 SINGING COMPETITION webcast of entire Competition. Smallest prize Less than $5,000 Additional prizes Performances FOR YOUNG MAIN OFFICE Management 201 Main Street, Suite 100 Recording OPERA SINGERS 2019 Fort Worth, TX 76102 Jury chair(s) Not provided about 70 qualifying rounds UNITED STATES Jury size 6 to 10 worldwide – jury members of the 817-738-6536 Application deadline October 15, 2020 most important opera houses – email website FINALS (live rounds) many engagements – ELIGIBILITY June 9-12, 2021, Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, www.belvedere-competition.com final rounds 2019 in Villach, Austria Age 18 to 30. First-prize winners of previous Cliburn TX Competitions are not eligible to compete. COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 16 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 CONCERT ARTISTS GUILD CONCOURS MUSICAL VICTOR ELMALEH COMPETITION INTERNATIONAL DE MONTRÉAL—CMIM

CAG seeks to partner with young musicians who ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES The CMIM is one of the world’s most highly regarded Jury chair exemplify artistic excellence and engagement with Piano • Strings • Voice • All Solo Instruments classical music competitions; one of only two Zarin Mehta, président of the jury and President of their audience, have an entrepreneurial spirit, and • Chamber Ensembles competitions in North America to be held annually CMIM who will go on to create an impact in the world. and present three disciplines (voice, violin, piano) in Additional jurors DETAILS Prizes include a $5,000 first prize, management a three-year rotation. Prizes total $500,000 CAD per Pierre Amoyal, Michael Haefliger, Kim Kashkashian, Travel covered? No contracts with CAG, and a New York debut. cycle and winners benefit from many professional Boris Kuschnir, Cho Liang Lin, Mihaela Martin, Barry Frequency Annual opportunities. Shiffman, Dmitri Sitkovetsky, Pavel Vernikov MAIN OFFICE First prize Less than $10,000 Jury size 6 to 10 850 7th Avenue, PH-A Additional prizes Performances MAIN OFFICE Application fee $117 ($150 CAD) New York, NY 10019 Management JMC/CMIM offices Application deadline December 13, 2019 UNITED STATES Recording 305 Mont-Royal avenue East 212-333-5200 Jury chair(s) Not provided Montréal, QC H2T 1P8 Application notes email website Jury size 6 to 10 CANADA Piano 2020: TBA (please refer to our website) Application fee $125 514-845-4108 Violin 2019: November 15, 2018** ELIGIBILITY Application deadline April 14, 2019 email website The 2019 Competition is OPEN to the following **The application deadline for 2019 has passed; instruments and categories: Strings, piano, Application notes ELIGIBILITY interested future applicants are referred to the woodwinds, brass, voice, harp, and chamber The earlybird deadline is Saturday, March 31, 2019 Violin (2019) age limit: Born in 1990 or later. Piano competition website. ensembles (including piano duos and guitar (save $25 on the application fee) (2020): Born in 1990 or later. Voice (2021): Born in ensembles). The 2019 competition is CLOSED to 1988 or later. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) the following: Solo: accordion, clarinet, double SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Violin 2019: June 1-2, 2019, 11 am, 3 pm, and 7:30 bass, fortepiano, guitar, harpsichord, organ, and October 2019 in New York City, exact dates and ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Strings • Voice pm. Bourgie Concert Hall, Montréal, Canada locations TBA percussion; Ensemble: saxophone quartet. DETAILS FINALS (live rounds) Please note: CAG represents solo singers for recitals, FINALS (live rounds) Travel covered? Yes Violin 2019: June 4 and 5, 7:30 pm, Maison chamber music, and orchestral engagements only, October 2019 in New York City, exact dates and Frequency Annual symphonique, Montréal, Canada not for opera. locations TBA First prize More than $50,000 Smallest prize Less than $5,000 COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ ✔ Age limits (as of April 14, 2019): Solo Additional prizes Performances Semifinals Semifinals streamed ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed ✔ ✔ instrumentalists: 30, Instrumental ensembles Management Finals Finals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed (including those with one singer): average age of 30; Recording Social links Solo singers: 35; Vocal ensembles: average age of 35 Social links More information on eligibility

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 17 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THOMAS & EVON COOPER INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

Cooper International Competition at Oberlin ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Strings Conservatory is open to musicians ages 13-18. Alternates annually between piano and violin. DETAILS Final round with The Cleveland Orchestra at Travel covered? No Severance Hall showcases top three competitors Frequency Annual in performances of full concertos. Cash prizes total First prize $10,000 to $50,000 $40,000; $20,000 first prize. Smallest prize Less than $5,000 Jury chair Gregory Fulkerson MAIN OFFICE Additional jurors TBA Oberlin Conservatory of Music Jury size 6 to 10 Office of Summer Programs Application fee $100 77 West College Street Application deadline May 7, 2019 Oberlin, OH 44074 UNITED STATES SEMIFINALS (live rounds) 440-775-8044 July 20-22, 2019: Semifinal Round • July 23, 2019: email website Concerto Round; Oberlin Conservatory, Warner Concert Hall, Oberlin, OH ELIGIBILITY The 2019 Competition is open to violinists ages FINALS (live rounds) 13-18 born after July 26, 2000 and before July July 24, 2019: Recital Finals, Oberlin Conservatory, 18, 2006, and who have not won one of the top Warner Concert Hall, Oberlin, OH three prizes in a previous Cooper Competition. July 26, 2019: Finals with The Cleveland Orchestra, Contestants must assume financial responsibility Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH for travel to and from Cleveland. The Competition runs Thursday, July 18 through Friday, July 26, COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? 2019. Performance order for the Competition will ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed be determined by a drawing on Thursday, July 18 ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed at 7 pm that must be attended by all candidates. Social links All works are to be performed from memory and in their entirety, except for the Beethoven Sonata.

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 18 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE COOPER-BING COMPETITION DISCOVER NATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION

The purpose of the Cooper-Bing Competition is to ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice The Discover National Chamber Music Competition ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES discover, recognize, and encourage young operatic is designed to provide an educational as well as Piano • Strings • Brass • Percussion • Woodwinds talent. Opera stars perform in a new competition DETAILS a competitive experience for young chamber format, with a top prize of $10,000. Travel covered? No ensembles. Winning ensembles will each receive a DETAILS Frequency Annual cash prize of $1000 and will perform on a winners’ Travel covered? No MAIN OFFICE First prize $10,000 to $50,000 recital on March 2, 2019. Frequency Annual 55 East State Street Smallest prize Less than $5,000 Additional prize Performances Columbus, OH 43215 Jury chair(s) Not provided MAIN OFFICE Jury chair(s) UNITED STATES Additional jurors 878 Lyster Road Cavani String Quartet Members 614-461-8101 Scott Guzielek, Palm Beach Opera; Michael Egel, Des Highwood, IL, 60040 Jury size 1 to 5 email website Moines Metro Opera; Brian Speck, Houston Grand UNITED STATES Application fee $100 Opera Studio 847-926-9898 Application deadline February 1, 2019 ELIGIBILITY Jury size 1 to 5 email website Open to applicants between 22 and 30 years of age. Application fee $50 FINALS (live rounds) Application deadline March 3, 2019 ELIGIBILITY February 2019, Bennett Gordon Hall, Ravinia The Competition is open to chamber ensembles in Festival, Highland Park, IL FINALS (live rounds) 12th grade and younger. Ensembles may consist May 5, 2019, Southern Theater, Columbus, OH of three to eight musicians. Ensembles may use no COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ ✖ more than one piano. Semifinals Semifinals streamed COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed Social links Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 19 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 EMERGING ARTIST COMPETITION

Acclaimed nonprofit Chicago-based classical music label Cedille Records announces its first Emerging Artist Competition. The Competition will be open to individual musicians and ensembles of up to DETAILS six people who reside in or hail from the Chicago Travel covered? Yes metro area. The winner will record and release an Frequency Quadrennial album on Cedille Records. Additional prize Recording Jury chair(s) Not provided MAIN OFFICE Jury size 1 to 5 1205 West Balmoral Application fee Chicago, IL 60640 $50 for Individuals / $100 for Ensembles UNITED STATES Application deadline August 1, 2019 773-989-2515 email website SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Semifinals will include up to 10 contestants, who ELIGIBILITY will prepare an hour of music from which judges Individual performers and ensembles (sextet or will select 15 minutes to be performed. smaller) who have not appeared as the featured performer on another commercially released CD FINALS (live rounds) are eligible to apply; the competition is not open The final round will include up to five contestants to composers or conductors. The maximum age playing 30 minutes of music total, including two limit for individual performers is 35 years old as contrasting works, selected by the contestants of the application open date. For ensembles, the themselves. Semifinal and final performances average age of ensemble members should not will be judged by a panel of five judges who are exceed 35 and no individual player may exceed prominent musicians and industry professionals. 40 years of age. There is no minimum age limit. One winner and one honorable mention will be All individual performers and at least 50 percent selected. The winner will record a Cedille Records of ensemble players must reside in or come from album for release in fall 2021. The winner’s prize will the Chicago metro area (defined as the following be offered to the honorable mention if the winner is counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and not able to record or release the album as planned. Will). No individual may appear on more than one application; for example, if applying as a soloist, an COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? individual may not also apply as a member of an ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed ensemble. ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Social links Piano • Strings • Voice • Solo Instrumentalists • Vocalists • Ensembles (up to six members)

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 20 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE GEORGE ENESCU 3RD ILONA FEHÉR INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION VIOLIN COMPETITION AND MASTERCLASSES

Intended as a natural extension of the George ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Organized by Katalin Kokas and Barnabás Kelemen, ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings • Violin Enescu Festival, the most important international Piano • Strings • Composition leading Hungarian violinists, as part of the Festival cultural event organized by Romania and a true Academy Budapest, the prestigious third Ilona Fehér DETAILS national cultural brand, George Enescu International DETAILS International Violin Competition is held in three Travel covered? No Competition recognizes, supports, and promotes Travel covered? No rounds for three age groups of artists under 19. Frequency Annual young talents worldwide, endorsing in this way Frequency Biennial First prize Less than €10,000 future golden generations of classical music. First prize €10,000 to €50,000 MAIN OFFICE Smallest prize Less than €5,000 Smallest prize €5,000 to €10,000 Király utca 50. fszt. 3. Additional prize Performances MAIN OFFICE Additional prize Performances Budapest 1061 Jury chair Victoria Business Center Jury chair(s) TBA HUNGARY Shlomo Mintz (USA/Israel) Calea Victoriei, nr. 155, bl. D1, sc. 8, et. 2 Jury size 6 to 10 email website Additional jurors Bucuresti, cod 010073 Application deadline April 15, 2020 Cihat Askin (Turkey); Herbert Greenberg (USA); ROMANIA ELIGIBILITY Quian Zhou (China); Eszter Perényi (Hungary); Éva +40 21 – 311 02 00 FINALS (live rounds) Three age groups between nine and 18; a pre- Ácsné Szily (Hungary) email website TBA selection jury decides who can participate in the Jury size 6 to 10 competition based on the submitted application Application deadline April 1, 2019 ELIGIBILITY COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? material. ✔ ✔ TBA Semifinals Semifinals streamed FINALS (live rounds) ✔ ✔ Finals Finals streamed July 24-25, 2019: Violin, House of Traditions (Budai Social links Vígadó), Budapest, Hungary COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 21 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 FISCHOFF NATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION FLEISCHMANN INTERNATIONAL TROPHY COMPETITION

The 46th annual Fischoff National Chamber Music ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Each year some of the finest amateur choirs are ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice Competition takes place May 10-12, 2019, in Piano • Strings • Winds • Brass selected to compete for the prestigious Fleischmann South Bend, IN. Among the largest chamber music International Trophy. The selected choirs will also be DETAILS competitions in the nation, it is open to ensembles DETAILS scheduled for a range of additional festival activities Travel covered? No with three to six members, and includes both senior Travel covered? No throughout the week, including fringe concerts and Frequency Annual and junior divisions. A total of $34,500 in prize Frequency Annual church and informal performances. First prize Less than €10,000 money will be awarded. First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Smallest prize Less than €5,000 Smallest prize Less than $5,000 MAIN OFFICE Additional prize Recording MAIN OFFICE Additional prize Performances Civic Trust House Jury chair 303 Brownson Hall Jury chair(s) Not provided 50 Pope’s Quay Maria Gamborg Helbekkmo, Norway Notre Dame, IN 46556 Jury size 11 or more Cork Additional jurors UNITED STATES Application fee IRELAND Mervyn Cousins (England), Georg Grun (Germany), 574-631-0984 Trio $125; Quartet $165; Quintet $205; Sextet $245 +353 21 421 5125 Ursa Lah (Slovenia), Shane Lynch (U.S.), Bernie email website Application deadline February 27, 2019 email website Sherlock (Ireland) Jury size 1 to 5 ELIGIBILITY FINALS (live rounds) ELIGIBILITY Application fee €300 The competition is open to instrumental ensembles May 12, 2019: DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, The Competition features top-class adult choirs Application deadline October 31, 2018 only; U.S. and non-U.S. residents are eligible. University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 of 20 to 60 voices from many countries. A purely a Ensembles will consist of three to six musicians. The cappella program of either three or four contrasting Application notes Competition is unable to accommodate ensembles COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? works whose total duration (actual singing) is Application for Fleischmann International Trophy ✔ ✔ that have more than one piano, are vocal in nature, Semifinals Semifinals streamed between 10 and 12 minutes is required. Choirs Competition is due on October 31 of each year. ✔ ✔ or require more than three minutes set-up and Finals Finals streamed whose programs do not comply with the prescribed FINALS (live rounds) tear-down time. All members of the ensemble must Social links limits will incur a time penalty. perform on separate instruments throughout the Afternoon and evening concerts will feature competition but can use various instruments. No The contrasting program must represent an music from Renaissance to contemporary and individual may enter or compete in more than one historically balanced and coherent range of styles compositions from each choir’s home country. The ensemble. and include a piece composed before 1750, an Competition takes place in City Hall on the Saturday • Junior Division ensemble members must not be original work by a living composer, and work by a of the annual Cork Choral Festival, which usually more than age 18 on May 12, 2019. composer of the choir’s native country. occurs during the five days preceding the May Bank Holiday weekend. • Senior Division ensemble members must not be Subsequent to final acceptance, a choir may not more than age 35 on May 12, 2019. The average change its repertoire, nor the order in which it COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? age of Senior Division ensemble members will be sung. The five- member international jury ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed must not exceed 30 years on May 12, 2019. (The allocates marks for the technical, artistic, and the ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed ensemble’s age must average less than 31 years overall quality of performance, as well as how well old). Senior Division ensembles may include the choir communicates with the audience. Social links members who are age 18 or younger.

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 22 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 FORTE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION FORTE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION, cont’d

Forte International Music Competition is open to DISCIPLINES SEMIFINALS (live rounds) COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? instrumentalists and vocalists ages four to 35. It Piano • Strings • Voice • Woodwinds Brass Live rounds will take place in NYC in December. ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed consists of several rounds culminating with the final ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed round at Carnegie Hall. Participants receive valuable DETAILS Note: Competitors can also participate online in the feedback from judges, certificates, medals, cash Travel covered? No Preliminary & semifinal rounds of the Competition. Social links prizes, and other special awards. Frequency Annual See website for more details. First prize Less than $10,000 MAIN OFFICE Smallest prize Less than $5,000 FINALS (live rounds) 1824 East 17 Street, Suite 5A Jury chair(s) Not provided Final round will take place live at Carnegie Hall in Brooklyn, NY 11229 Jury size 1 to 5 New York in January/February 2020. UNITED STATES Application fee $150 718-755-2110 Application deadline November 5, 2019 email website Application notes ELIGIBILITY Ages 4-35 Earlybird deadline: October 15; late fee deadline: November 10.

William C. Byrd MTNA Young Artist Competition 2019–20 Music Teachers National Association Saturday, March 7, 2020 Auditions 8am ~ 5pm Finals 7pm STUDENT COMPETITIONS Strings Flint Institute of Music The MTNA student competitions provide educational experiences and recognize exceptionally Flint, Michigan talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence. Finalists compete in the national finals at the MTNA National Conference in Chicago, Illinois, March 21–25, 2020. Sponsored by the St. Cecilia Society, The competitions are divided into five age groups: Elementary (ages 5–10; composition only), DQ$I¿OLDWHRIWKH)OLQW,QVWLWXWHRI0XVLF Junior (ages 11–14), Senior (ages 15–18) and Young Artist (ages 19–26) and First Prize - $6,000 and a performance with the Chamber Music (average age 18–26). Flint Symphony Orchestra Competitions include Composition, Brass, Piano, String, Voice, Woodwind and Chamber Music. Second Prize - $2,500 Plus Three $1,000 Finalist Prizes Elementary, Junior, Senior and Young Artist application deadline: September 11, 2019 Application deadline will be January 12, 2020 Chamber Music application and video submission deadline: December 4, 2019 www.ByrdArtists.com For more information, visit www.MTNA.org.

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 23 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 INTERNATIONAL HANS GABOR BELVEDERE GENEVA SINGING COMPETITION INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION

Since 1982, the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Meyer, Generalintendant, Deutsche Oper am Founded in 1939, the Geneva Competition is Jury chair(s) Singing Competition has been known as one of the Rhein, Düsseldorf-Duisburg; Guy Montavon, one of the world’s leading international music Philippe Spiesser, percussion jury chair; Kaija world’s best networked singing competitions, with Generalintendant,Theater Erfurt; Hein Mulders, competitions. It aims at discovering, promoting, and Saariaho, composition jury chair qualifying rounds in more than 70 cities worldwide Intendant Aalto-Theater und Philharmonie, Essen; supporting young talented artists, giving them the Additional jurors each year. The singers are judged by a jury of Björn Peters, Künstlerischer Betriebsdirektor, necessary tools to launch an international career. Percussion: Philippe Spiesser, president (France); artistic and casting directors from the world’s most Sächsische Staatsoper Dresden - Semperoper; The 74th edition offers percussion and composition Daniel Druckman (U.S.); Fritz Hauser (Switzerland); prestigious opera houses. Christina Scheppelmann, general artistic Director, and will be held November 7-21, 2019. Aiyun Huang (Taïwan/Canada); Marta Klimasara Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona; Florian Scholz, (Poland/Germany); Isao Nakamura (Japan/Germany); MAIN OFFICE Intendant, Stadttheater Klagenfurt; Christoph MAIN OFFICE Hèctor Parra (Spain) Seidengasse 32/3/52 Seuferle, Operndirektor, Deutsche Oper Berlin; Concours de Genève International Music 1070 Vienna Diane Zola, assistant general manager, Metropolitan Competition Composition: Kaija Saariaho, president (Finland); AUSTRIA Opera, New York Bd de Saint-Georges 34 / CP 268 Julian Anderson (UK); Toshio Hosokawa (Japan); +43-681-110400572 Jury size 11 or more 1211 – Genève 8 Michael Jarrell (Switzerland); Liza Lim (Australia) email website Application fee €42 SWITZERLAND Jury size 6 to 10 Application deadline May 17, 2019 +41 22 328 62 08 Application fee ELIGIBILITY email website €220 (percussion) / €88 (composition) Singers (males/females) of all nationalities, born Application notes Application deadline May 2, 2019 in or later than 1987, are invited to enter the Please note the different application deadlines ELIGIBILITY Competition. See our website for more details. for the 70 qualifying rounds worldwide on the Percussion 2019: candidates born after October 30, Application notes Competition website. 1989. Composition 2019: candidates born after May Application deadline for the percussion & ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice 1, 1979. composition competitions: May 2, 2019. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) DETAILS ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Travel covered? No June 30 – July 5, 2019: Enrollment, first rounds, and semifinals; Congress Center Villach, Austria Piano • Strings • Voice • Woodwinds • Percussion November 18, 2019: Percussion semi-final round, Frequency Annual • Composition Geneva, Switzerland First prize Less than €10,000 July 6, 2019: Orchestra rehearsals for the finals Additional prize Performances concert. DETAILS FINALS (live rounds) Jury chair Travel covered? No November 8, 2019 • Composition final round; John Mordler, Opera Monte Carlo Artistic Director FINALS (live rounds) Frequency Annual November 21, 2019 • Percussion final round, Geneva, Additional jurors July 7, 2019: Finals concert with Kärntner First prize €10,000 to €50,000 Switzerland David Agler, artistic director, Wexford Festival Sinfonieorchester, Alexander Joel, conductor. Smallest prize Less than €5,000 Opera, Ireland; Dmitrij Bertman, artistic director, Congress Center Villach, Austria Additional prizes Performances COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ ✔ Helikon Opera, Moscow; Heribert Germeshausen, Management Semifinals Semifinals streamed ✔ ✔ Opernintendant, Theater Dortmund; Toni Gradsack, COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Recording Finals Finals streamed ✔ ✖ responsabile delle compagnie di Canto, Teatro Semifinals Semifinals streamed ✔ ✔ Social links alla Scala, Milano; Olga Kapanina, casting director, Finals Finals streamed The Bolshoi Theater of Russia, Moscow; Christoph Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 24 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 GLOBAL THE 17TH INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AWARDS EDVARD GRIEG PIANO COMPETITION

The Global Music Awards is a highly rated, well- ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES The Competition will take place at Troldhaugen, DETAILS known international music competition that Conducting • Piano • Strings • Voice • Album • Band Grieg’s picturesque home in Bergen, Norway, in Travel covered? No celebrates independent musicians. Global Music • Chamber Music • Classical • Classical Crossover September 2020. Competitors will reside with host Frequency Biennial Awards is recognized by industry insiders as • Experimental • Jazz • Indie Country & Pop families, and those who do not advance to the First prize €10,000 to €50,000 giving legitimacy to highly talented artists. It is a • Instrumental • Live Performance • Operatic Music second round, semifinal, or final will perform at a Smallest prize Less than €5,000 competition based strictly on merit. • Original Score/Sound Track Movie & TV • R&B & paid concert in the Bergen area. First prize: €30,000. Additional prize Performances Soul • Sound Editing/Sound Mixing • Symphonic Jury chair(s) TBA MAIN OFFICE MAIN OFFICE Additional jurors TBA 7946 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 201 DETAILS KODE Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen Jury size 6 to 10 La Jolla, CA 92037 Travel covered? No Troldhaugveien 65 Application fee €100 UNITED STATES Frequency Annual N-5232 Paradis – Bergen Application deadline April 20, 2020 858-779-1420 Jury chair NORWAY email website Thomas Baker, Ph.D., Founder, Global Music Awards +47 55 92 29 92 Application notes Additional jurors email website The application and application fee must arrive ELIGIBILITY Past judges have included: Charles Denler, before April 21, 2020. Open to all artists and composers. Submissions composer; Darlene Koldenhoven, soprano; Ricky ELIGIBILITY may be of any genre, any length. We look for Kej, composer; Elisabet Franch, flute; John Daversa, The Competition is open to pianists of all SEMIFINALS (live rounds) artists and composers with outstanding emotional composer; Amanda Abizaid, vocalist; Melissa B, nationalities born in the years 1987-2003. September 12-14, 2020: 1st round, solo piano communication, the ability to transcend, to make • September 15: 2nd round, solo piano • September vocalist; and many others. ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano the listener experience something that is new and Jury size 1 to 5 16: semi-final, solo piano & chamber music, Edvard compelling. We want to be surprised and moved by Application fee $50 Grieg Museum Troldhaugen, Bergen, Norway what we hear. We want to be convinced that those Application deadline November 15, 2019 we honor can really move an audience. The musical FINALS (live rounds) joy of artists we select must be infectious. We want Application notes September 20, 2020: Piano soloist with The Bergen the artist to remind us why we care about music so Quarterly entry deadlines Philharmonic Orchestra, Edward Gardner, conductor. much in the first place. Grieg Hall, Bergen, Norway FINALS (live rounds) No live rounds. COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed ✖ Not open to the public Social links Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 25 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE GURWITZ THE MIRJAM HELIN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION

The Gurwitz International Piano Competition is a DETAILS Quadrennial international voice competition. Jury chair member of the WFIMC. Twelve competitors, selected Travel covered? Yes Designed for outstanding young singers, it is known Jorma Silvasti (tenor), Artistic Director of the by a preliminary jury, will compete live in San Frequency Quadrennial for its high standard, exacting repertoire, superb Savonlinna Opera Festival Antonio, TX. The Gurwitz consists of four rounds, First prize $10,000 to $50,000 prizes, and prestigious jury. Altogether, prizes total Additional jurors including commissioned piece, chamber music Smallest prize Less than $5,000 €173,000. Streamed live, recorded, televised by the Olaf Bär, Ben Heppner, Vesselina Kasarova, François round, and the final round with the San Antonio Jury chair Finnish Broadcasting Company. Semifinalists will Le Roux, Waltraud Meier, Deborah Polaski, Kiri Te Symphony. Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor (San Antonio receive €1,000. Kanawa. Symphony Orchestra) MAIN OFFICE Additional jurors MAIN OFFICE Jury size 6 to 10 23705 Frontage Road, Suite 101 Olga Kern, piano (professor, Manhattan School of Finnish Cultural Foundation Application fee None San Antonio, TX 78257 Music/artistic director, Olga Kern International Piano Bulevardi 5 A Application deadline December 31, 2018 UNITED STATES PO Box 203 Competition); Yaron Kohlberg, piano (president and SEMIFINALS (live rounds) 210-630-9711 CEO, Cleveland International Piano Competition); FI-00121 Helsinki email website FINLAND May 20-23, 2019: Competitors perform a 15-20- Boris Slutsky, piano (professor, Peabody minute (maximum) recital • May 24-25, 2019: 16-20 Conservatory and Eastman School of Music); +358 9 6128 1248 ELIGIBILITY email website semifinalists perform a 30-minute (maximum) The Gurwitz is open to professional pianists from Carolyn True, piano (professor, Trinity University); recital, Helsinki Music Center, Helsinki, Finland around the world 18 to 32 years old. First prize Afa Dworkin, violin (president and artistic director, ELIGIBILITY winners of The San Antonio International Piano Sphinx organization) Women born in 1989 or later and men born in 1987 FINALS (live rounds) Competition, as well as students and family Jury size 6 to 10 or later are eligible to participate in the competition May 29, 2019: Eight competitors perform two works members of jury members, are not eligible to enter. Application fee $125 in 2019, regardless of nationality. with orchestral accompaniment, of which at least Application deadline June 30, 2019 one must be an opera, oratorio, cantata, or concert ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice aria (maximum 20 minutes). Finalists accompanied SEMIFINALS (live rounds) by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Hannu January 27-28, 2020: Round One • January 20, 2020: DETAILS Lintu, conductor. Helsinki Music Center, Helsinki, Round Two. All rounds in San Antonio, TX Travel covered? Yes Finland Frequency Quinquennial FINALS (live rounds) First prize €10,000 to COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? January 31, 2020: Round Three: Chamber music Smallest prize €50,000 €5,000 to ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed (commissioned piece) Additional prizes €10,000 ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed February 1, 2020: Round Four/Finale with the San Performances Antonio Symphony Recording Social links All rounds in San Antonio, TX COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 26 musicalamerica.com • February 2018 MICHAEL HILL =BH9FB5H=CB5@ď7CôD9H=H=CB INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION

The world’s best emerging violin talent in the DETAILS 7<5Ĉ69FģĈIG=7 world’s most distinctive location. Travel covered? No Frequency Biennial COMPETITION MAIN OFFICE First prize $10,000 to $50,000 PO Box 24657 Smallest prize Less than $5,000 ǛǢǙǑÃǑǜǟǙǛǝǙǝǛǝǜ Royal Oak Additional prizes Performances óF5Nď#ď5IGHF=5 Auckland 1345 Recording NEW ZEALAND Jury chair Robin Congreve G99?=BóďCIHGH5B8=BóďôIG=7=5BGďK

• Seminars and Master Classes FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: THE STECHER AND HOROWITZ FOUNDATION [email protected] 119 West 57th Street, Suite 1401 APPLICATION DEADLINE: www.thenyipc.org New York, New York 10019-2400, U.S.A. December 4, 2019 Facebook.com/NYIPC Tel: (+1) 212 - 581-8380

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 27 musicalamerica.com • February 2018 2020 HILTON HEAD HOUSTON SYMPHONY INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION IMA HOGG COMPETITION

First prize: $10,000 USD; return engagement DETAILS The Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition is a ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES with Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and other Travel covered? Yes multi-instrument competition designed to identify All orchestral instruments performance opportunities. Second prize: $5,000; Frequency Triennial outstanding young instrumentalists and support third prize, $3,000; fourth prize: $2,000; fifth prize, First prize $10,000 to $50,000 their pursuit of careers in music. Ten contestants DETAILS $1,000; Sascha Gorodnitzki Memorial Prize, $1,000; Smallest prize Less than $5,000 are selected to perform in the semi-finals. Four Travel covered? Yes Peter Takács Classical Sonata Prize, $1,000. Additional prize Performances finalists will perform with the Houston Symphony to Frequency Annual Jury chair determine the winner of the $25,000 award. First prize $10,000 to $50,000 MAIN OFFICE Doug Humpherys, Chair of the Piano Department at Smallest prize Less than $5,000 7 Lagoon Road, Suite 100 Eastman School of Music MAIN OFFICE Additional prize Performances Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Additional jurors Houston Symphony Jury chair(s) TBA UNITED STATES Christopher Elton, Professor Emeritus, Royal Attn: Education & Community Additional jurors 843-842-5880 Academy of Music; Miyoko Lotto, Manhattan School 615 Louisiana Street, Suite 102 Preliminary round adjudicated by 5-15 members of email website of Music; Yong Hi Moon, Piano Faculty, Peabody Houston, TX 77002 the Houston Symphony. Semifinal and final rounds UNITED STATES adjudicated by a panel of artistic professionals, ELIGIBILITY Pianists ages 13-17 Institute; Matti Raekallio, The Juilliard School Jury size 1 to 5 713-238-1447 including a conductor, artist manager, and ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano Application fee $135 email website concertizing soloist. Application deadline September 30, 2019 Jury size 1 to 5 ELIGIBILITY Application fee $100 SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Contestants must be between the ages of 16 and Application deadline January 9, 2019 March 9 - 12, 2020: Rounds I and II (non-elimination), 26 as of May 30, 2019, and be current or recent Hilton Head, SC (within two (2) years of graduating) undergraduate Application notes or graduates intending to pursue a musical career. Application is around the same time each year. FINALS (live rounds) Those holding orchestra positions are ineligible to March 14, 2020: Finals (Round III), First Presbyterian participate. Former first- or second-place winners SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Church, Hilton Head, SC are ineligible. Open to citizens or lawful permanent May 30, 2019, Houston, TX residents of the U.S. or to foreign students currently FINALS (live rounds) COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? enrolled in a U.S. college, university, or conservatory. ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed June 1, 2019, Finals performed with the Houston ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed Email [email protected] Symphony, Houston, TX if you have a question about your eligibility. Social links COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 28 musicalamerica.com • February 2018 HONENS INTERNATIONAL DOUBLE REED SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION

Canada’s Honens International Piano Competition ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano The International Double Reed Society is pleased to Application fee $40 takes place every three years and awards $100,000 announce the Young Artist Competition being held Application deadline March 15, 2019 (CAD) and an Artist Development Program valued at DETAILS for bassoonists in 2019. First prize is $60,00; second a half-million dollars. Honens prepares its Laureates Travel covered? Yes prize $4,000; third prize is $2,000. Application notes for the rigors and realities of professional careers Frequency Triennial Entrants must electronically submit application, in music and creates opportunities for growth and First prize More than $50,000 MAIN OFFICE fee, and video of the preliminary round repertoire exposure. Smallest prize Less than $5,000 2423 Lawndale Road performed with accompaniment. Instructions Additional prizes Performances Finksburg, MD 21048-1401 available at idrs.org/competitions. MAIN OFFICE Management UNITED STATES 1170-105 12th Avenue SW Recording email website SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Calgary, AB T2G 1A1 Jury chair(s) Not provided The Competition committee will select three CANADA Jury size 6 to 10 ELIGIBILITY finalists, with the results announced by May 1, 2019. 403-299-0130 Application fee $100 Participants who have not reached their 22nd Finalists must agree to appear in concert in Florida. email website Application deadline October 31, 2020 birthday by the date of the final round of the Competition (July 2019). FINALS (live rounds) ELIGIBILITY SEMIFINALS (live rounds) The final round will be heard in concert by a Pianists of all nationalities, aged 20 to 30 on September 2 -11, 2021, Calgary, Canada ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE distinguished panel of judges at the International September 2, 2021, with the exception of past Alternates each year between bassoon and oboe. Double Reed Society Conference, July 14-18, Honens Laureates and professionally managed FINALS (live rounds) This year is bassoon, held in Tampa, Florida. 2019, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. artists, may apply. September 10 - 11, 2021, Jack Singer Concert Hall at (IDRS will pay the conference registration fee for Arts Commons, Calgary, Canada DETAILS finalists.) Repertoire will be the same as that for the Travel covered? No preliminary stage plus Malcolm Arnold’s Fantasy COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Frequency Annual for Bassoon Solo. A professional accompanist will ✔ ✔ Semifinals Semifinals streamed First prize Less than $10,000 be provided, although contestants may elect to use ✔ ✔ Finals Finals streamed Additional prize Performances their own, at their own expense. Jury chair Isabel Jeremias Social links Jury size 1 to 5 COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 29 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION OF ORLÉANS The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir announces its tenth annual Christmas Carol Commission Since 1994, the International Piano Competition of ELIGIBILITY Competition as part of its commitment to the future Orléans has revealed the talent of young artists who Pianists of all nationalities, born on or after January of choral music. play piano repertoire, while promoting music from 1, 1984. the 20th and 21st centuries. The Competition has Submitted works must be original, unpublished, and a strong international reputation and is affiliated ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano have not been publicly performed; between three with the World Federation of International Music DETAILS Competitions. Travel covered? No DQGȴYHPLQXWHVORQJZULWWHQIRU6$7%PL[HGDGXOW choir; and may be a cappella or utilize keyboard MAIN OFFICE Frequency Biennial DFFRPSDQLPHQW7H[WDQGODQJXDJHDUHDWWKH Orléans Concours International First prize €10,000 to €50,000 5, place de la République Smallest prize Less than €5,000 discretion of the composer, and should be suitable for F-45000 Orléans Additional prizes Performances a Christmas/holiday performance. FRANCE Management +33 (0)2 38 62 89 22 Recording $OOVXEPLVVLRQVPXVWEHUHFHLYHGQRODWHUWKDQ email website 11:59 p.m. (EST), May 31, 2019.

For more information, visit indychoir.org

KATI & BARNA INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION OF ORLÉANS, cont’d FOCUS on TALENT ® Jury chair SEMIFINALS (live rounds)  Peter-Paul Kainrath, pianist/manager, Italy April 23, 2020: Semifinal piano recital, seven   

Additional jurors candidates, Salle de L’Institut, Orléans, France    
Vanessa Wagner, pianist, France; Nicolas Hodges,  
 
pianist, United Kingdom; Bruce Brubaker, pianist, FINALS (live rounds)  
 
United States; Mei Yi Foo, pianist, Taiwan; Mikhail April 26, 2020, 3 pm: Finals, piano, three candidates, Théatre d’Orléans, Orléans, France 
   

 
 Dubov, pianist, Russia; Isabel Mundry, composer, 


  
   Germany (to be confirmed) COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Jury size 6 to 10 ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed Application fee €100 ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed    




 Application deadline December 2, 2019 Social links   
   

 


   

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 30 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 INTERNATIONAL VOCAL COMPETITION JENSEN FOUNDATION ’S-HERTOGENBOSCH VOCAL COMPETITION

Sole classical vocal competition in the Netherlands ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Voice The Jensen Foundation auditions 100 of America’s ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice that involves opera and oratorio, as well as art song most promising young opera singers and chooses for singer/ pianist duos. Much attention paid to DETAILS 12 to perform in its finals competition. Singers DETAILS 20th-century and contemporary music. Finals with Travel covered? Yes compete for more than $40,000 in awards, including Travel covered? No symphony orchestra, master classes, media training, Frequency Annual $15,000 for first place. Frequency Annual feedback from jury members. Career development, First prize €10,000 to €50,000 First prize $10,000 to $50,000 travel refund possible, accommodations at host Smallest prize Less than €5,000 MAIN OFFICE Smallest prize Less than $5,000 families. Additional prizes Performances 220 North Tryon Street Jury chair(s) Not provided Recording Charlotte, NC 28202 Jury size 1 to 5 MAIN OFFICE Jury chair(s) Not provided UNITED STATES Application fee $25 Prins Bernhardstraat 8 Jury size 6 to 10 704-641-4691 Application deadline March 17, 2019 5211 HE ’s-Hertogenbosch Application fee email website NETHERLANDS €50 (first round) / € 150 (main competition) SEMIFINALS (live rounds) +31 73 69 00 999 Application deadline August 1, 2019 ELIGIBILITY May 13-16, 2019: Auditions at the Baruch email website Applicants must not be: previous first-, second-, or Performing Arts Center, New York, NY FINALS (live rounds) third-place award winners of the Jensen Foundation ELIGIBILITY November 20-24, 2019: Voice + piano (Lied Duo Vocal Competition; a past or current recipient FINALS (live rounds) The IVC is open to candidates of all nationalities division); September 25 – October 4, 2020: Voice of a contract for a principal role with an OPERA May 18, 2019: Finals at the Baruch Performing Arts who have completed conservatory training or have (Opera/Oratorio division), Theater aan de parade, America Budget Level I company or its international Center, New York, NY reached an equivalent level. Ages: singers born on ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. equivalent. Applicants must be a permanent legal COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? November 25, 1988, or later; pianists born on 25 resident of the U.S. and between the ages of 25 and ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed November 25, 1983, or later; all candidates must be COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? 35; must submit a completed application online by ✔ ✔ ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed at least 18 years of age. Semifinals Semifinals streamed March 17, 2019, with a résumé that demonstrates an ✔ ✔ Finals Finals streamed active pursuit of a career in opera. Social links Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 31 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 JOSEPH JOACHIM JOHANSEN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION HANNOVER YOUNG STRING PLAYERS (AGES 13-17)

Promoting excellence: that’s providing the best DETAILS Total of $67,000 in prizes, with equal prizes for each DETAILS possible conditions, like charming host families, Travel covered? Yes instrument. The JIC is funded by a charitable trust Travel covered? No adequate practice rooms and performing two times Frequency Triennial established by Anna Storch Johansen, who wanted Frequency Triennial before a decision is taken as well as honoring special First prize €10,000 to €50,000 to encourage young musicians with significant prize First prize $10,000 to $50,000 talent, virtuosity, artistic personality and best career Smallest prize €5,000 to €10,000 awards at a time when they need it most. Smallest prize Less than $5,000 prospects with stunning cash prizes and debut Additional prizes Performances Additional prize Performances concerts and a worldwide distributed CD. Recording MAIN OFFICE Jury chair(s) Not provided Jury chair(s) N.N. 9202 Whitney Street Jury size 1 to 5 MAIN OFFICE Jury size 6 to 10 Silver Spring, MD 20901 Application fee $125 Stiftung Niedersachsen Application deadline May 31, 2021 UNITED STATES Application deadline December 1, 2020 Sophienstr. 2 301-825-5515 30159 Hannover SEMIFINALS (live rounds) email website Application notes GERMANY Recital, Chamber Music, Leading a chamber The next Competition will take place in the spring of +49 (511) 9905432 orchestra, more information following in 2020 ELIGIBILITY 2021. Specific dates will be announced. email website Students of violin, viola, or cello, no younger FINALS (live rounds) than 13 or older than 17 years on the final day of SEMIFINALS (live rounds) ELIGIBILITY With symphonic orchestra, more information the Competition. A copy of the applicant’s birth Dates TBA; location: Washington, DC Age between 16-27 following in 2020 certificate or passport is required. Applicants must not be under professional management. FINALS (live rounds) ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Date TBA; location: Washington, DC ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed Social links ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 32 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 OLGA KERN INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

The mission of the Competition is to provide a College-Conservatory of Music, University of venue for young pianists to develop international Cincinnati; Phillippe Raskin, piano professor, Royal careers through a competition that is recognized Conservatory of Brussels; Boaz Sharon, professor globally for its value and excellence. of piano at Boston University; Douglas Sheldon, MAIN OFFICE chairman of the board of directors of Columbia PO Box 14314 Artists Management Inc.; Aaron Shorr, professor Albuquerque, NM 87191 & head of keyboard and collaborative piano, UNITED STATES Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; Marc Silverman, 505-814-5355 chairman of the piano department, Manhattan email website School of Music; Golda Tatz, director of the Tureck International Bach Competition, New York; Bryan ELIGIBILITY Wallick, concertizing pianist The Competition is open to pianists of all Jury size 11 or more nationalities between the ages of 18 and 32 on Application fee $210 November 3, 2019. Application deadline June 1, 2019 ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano SEMIFINALS (live rounds) DETAILS October 28-29, 2019: Preliminary round Travel covered? Yes October 31, 2019: Semifinal round Frequency Triennial Journal Theater at the National Hispanic Cultural First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Center, 1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM Smallest prize Less than $5,000 FINALS (live rounds) Additional prize Performances November 2, 2019: Final round Jury chair Olga Kern Popejoy Hall at the University of New Mexico, Additional jurors 203 Cornell Drive, Albuquerque, NM Alink Akemi, board member Alink-Argerich Foundation; Enrica Ciccarelli, chairman & artistic COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? director, Fondazione La Società dei Concerti in ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed Milano; Joana Domanska, piano professor, Karol ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice; Vladimir PAST COMPETITION WINNERS Kern, vice-director & conductor, Alexander Scriabin Antonio Chen Guang Art Music School, Moscow; Sebastian Lang- Lessing, music director, San Antonio Symphony Social links Orchestra; Constantine Orbelian, general director, Spendiaryan National Opera and Ballet Theatre of Armenia; Awadagin Pratt, professor of piano,

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 33 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE KULESHOV INTERNATIONAL THE LOTTE LENYA COMPETITION

PIANO FESTIVAL AND COMPETITION A unique international theater singing contest ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice that emphasizes wide-ranging repertoire and The Kuleshov Festival and Competition is a biennial ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano the acting of songs and arias within a dramatic DETAILS piano competition for high school and college context. The Competition recognizes talented Travel covered? Yes DETAILS students aged 15-24 held on the campus of the young singer/actors who are dramatically and Frequency Annual Travel covered? No University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK. musically convincing in repertoire ranging from First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Frequency Biennial Participants and audiences enjoy a weekend of opera/operetta to contemporary Broadway scores, Smallest prize Less than $5,000 First prize Less than $10,000 guest artist recitals, interest sessions, master classes, including the works of Kurt Weill. Jury chair(s) Not provided and competition performances. Smallest prize Less than $5,000 Jury size 1 to 5 Jury chair MAIN OFFICE Application deadline January 21, 2019 MAIN OFFICE Sallie Pollack, Associate Professor of Collaborative The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music The University of Central Oklahoma Piano, UCO 7 East 20th Street, 3rd Floor Application notes School of Music Additional jurors New York, NY 10003 The deadline to submit an online application with 100 North University Drive Ralph Votapek, international concert artist; UNITED STATES video audition for the preliminary round is January Edmond, OK 73034 Alexander Tutunov, international concert artist 212-505-5240 21, 2019. UNITED STATES Jury size 1 to 5 email website SEMIFINALS (live rounds) 405-974-5948 Application fee $50 March 7-8, 2019: Baruch College, New York, NY email website Application deadline January 20, 2020 ELIGIBILITY Open to singer/actors of all nationalities, ages FINALS (live rounds) ELIGIBILITY Ages 15-24 SEMIFINALS (live rounds) 19–32. April 13, 2019: Kilbourn Hall, Eastman School of March 28, 2020. University of Central Oklahoma, Music, Rochester, NY Edmond, OK COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? FINALS (live rounds) ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed March 29, 2020. University of Central Oklahoma, ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Edmond, OK Social links COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 34 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE GERDA LISSNER FOUNDATION LISZT COMPETITION

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE LIEDERKRANZ FOUNDATION The Liszt Competition actively presents, develops, DETAILS and promotes piano talents from around the world. Travel covered? Yes Winners of the Lieder/Song Vocal Competition are ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice The Competition was founded in 1986 and has built Frequency Triennial granted awards ranging from $1,000 to $7,000 a reputation as one of the world’s most prestigious First prize €10,000 to €50,000 DETAILS based upon placement. A total of up to $20,000 will piano competitions. Role model for the Competition Smallest prize Less than €5,000 Travel covered? No be awarded. Repertoire once submitted cannot is pianist, composer, and visionary Franz Liszt. Additional prizes Performances Frequency Annual be changed. Winners concert: November 1, 2019, Management First prize Less than $10,000 6:00 pm. MAIN OFFICE Recording Smallest prize Less than $5,000 Ganzenmarkt 14 Jury chair Alexander Rinnooy Kan MAIN OFFICE Jury chair 3512 GD Utrecht Additional jurors 15 East 65th Street Stephen De Maio, President NETHERLANDS Idil Biret, Turkey; Andrea Bonatta, Italy; Frederic New York NY 10065 Additional jurors TBA +31 0306966144 Chiu, U.S.; Nino Gvetadze, Georgia; Leslie Howard, UNITED STATES Jury size 6 to 10 email website UK; Janina Fialkowska, Canada; Cyprien Katsaris, 212-826-6100 Application deadline July 31, 2019 France/Cyprus; Igor Roma, Italy email website ELIGIBILITY Pianists ages 20-29 Application notes Jury size 6 to 10 ELIGIBILITY Applications must be received by 5:00 pm EST ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano Application fee €150 Applicants must be between 20 and 30 years of by email. Submission of the application does not Application deadline January 5, 2019 age. Lieder/songs written for voice and piano must guarantee an audition or grant. All application PDFs be submitted in the original language. At least two must be submitted with typed responses. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Lieder must be in German, with one by Schubert. No March 17-18, 2019: Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht, The SEMIFINALS (live rounds) ensemble items are permitted. Eligible participants Netherlands only will be advised of the date and time for the September 4-5, 2019: Preliminaries, Liederkranz audition by email. Foundation, New York, NY FINALS (live rounds) March 25, 2020: Finals, solo • March 28, 2020: Finals FINALS (live rounds) with the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra September 6, 2019: Finals, Liederkranz Foundation, Main Hall, TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, The New York NY 10128 Netherlands COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✖ Finals ✖ Finals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 35 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 LONG THIBAUD CRESPIN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION THE QUEEN SONJA The Long Thibaud Crespin International DETAILS Competition is open to young musicians from all Travel covered? No INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION over the world. For more than 70 years, it has been Frequency Annual a highlight of the Parisian, French & international First prize €10,000 to €50,000 OSLO, 13 – 23 AUGUST 2019 season. The 2019 piano edition is placed under Smallest prize Less than €5,000 An opportunity of a lifetime! Bertrand Chamayou’s artistic direction and the jury Additional prizes Performances is chaired by Martha Argerich. Recording Jury chair MAIN OFFICE Martha Argerich, pianist 32 avenue Matignon VOICE Jury size 6 to 10 75008 Paris Application fee €100 FRANCE Application deadline March 17, 2019 2019 +33 1 42 66 66 80 email website FINALS (live rounds) November 13, 2019: solo recital finals • November ELIGIBILITY 15, 2019: concerto finals • November 16, 2019: The 2019 Competition is open to young pianists of concerto finals. Auditorium Radio France, Paris, all nationalities, born after January 1,1989. Pre- France selection in 10 international cities takes place in advance of the three final rounds in Paris. COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Strings • Voice ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

First Prize € 50.000 / Career development session / Masterclasses / Prizewinner concerts Application deadline 1 April 2019

www.qsimc.no

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 36 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 LYON INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION THE MAHLER COMPETITION

Member of the WFIMC. More than 900 chamber DETAILS The Competition is one of the most important ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Conducting artists have taken part in the CIMCL since 2004. Travel covered? No events of its kind anywhere in the world. It has Broadcast on France musique radio and streamed Frequency Annual attracted entries from more than 1,600 young DETAILS on NoMadMusic, it takes place in the Opéra First prize €10,000 to €50,000 conductors of all nationalities. Only 65 candidates Travel covered? Yes Auditorium, Université Hall, Lyon, and is followed by Smallest prize Less than €5,000 have been invited to Bamberg and of those barely Frequency Triennial a large audience. Additional prize Performances 12 have made it to the finals. First prize €10,000 to €50,000 Jury chair(s) TBA Smallest prize €5,000 to €10,000 MAIN OFFICE Additional jurors MAIN OFFICE Additional prizes Performances 54 rue du 1er mars 1943 Dame Felicity Lott, soprano, English; Margreet Stiftung Bamberger Symphoniker - Bayerische Management 69100 Villeurbanne Honig, soprano, Dutch; Béatrice Uria-Monzon, Staatsphilharmonie Jury chair(s) TBA FRANCE mezzo-soprano, French; Hans Peter Blochwitz, Konzerthalle Bamberg Application fee No fee +33 6 52 14 80 45 tenor, German; Serge Dorny, director of the opéra of Mußstrasse 1 Application deadline September 30, 2019 email website D-96047 Bamberg Lyon, Belgian; Andreas Schmidt, baritone, German; Application notes Charles Spencer, pianist, English; David Selig, pianist, GERMANY ELIGIBILITY +49 951 96 47 100 Applications will be open mid-2019, please check All nationalities, artists under 35 years old Australian our website for further information. Jury size 6 to 10 email website ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Application fee €150 ELIGIBILITY SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Piano • Strings • Voice • Trio Violin, Cello & Piano Application deadline January 15, 2019 Conductors not older than 35 years on January 1, July 3, 2020, Konzerthalle Bamberg, Germany • String Quartet • Duo Violin & Piano • Duo Voice & 2020. Piano • Duo Cello & Piano • Woodwind Quintet Application notes FINALS (live rounds) • Brass Quintet Applications deadlines about January of each year. July 4, 2020, Konzerthalle Bamberg, Germany SEMIFINALS (live rounds) COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? April 24, 2019: Voice and piano duo, Conservatoire ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed national supérieur de musique et de danse de Lyon ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed (CNSMD), Lyon, France Social links FINALS (live rounds) April 26, 2019: Voice and piano duo, Town Hall, Lyon, France COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 37 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 ELEANOR MCCOLLUM COMPETITION MTNA NATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITIONS

The Eleanor McCollum Competition and Concert of DETAILS The MTNA National Student Competitions are ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Arias is the primary recruitment tool for the HGO Travel covered? Yes the most successful and prestigious student Piano • Strings • Voice • Composition • Brass • Piano Studio. Applicants can be considered for the HGO Frequency Annual Competitions in the country. The purpose of the • Woodwind • Chamber Music Studio, Competition, or both, and applicants do not First prize Less than $10,000 Music Teachers National Association Performance need to be a prize winner to be invited to the Studio. Smallest prize Less than $5,000 Competitions is to provide educational experiences DETAILS Jurors for students and to recognize exceptionally talented Travel covered? No MAIN OFFICE Patrick Summers, Perryn Leech, and a Guest Judge young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of Frequency Annual 510 Preston Street Jury size 1 to 5 musical excellence. Smallest prize Less than $5,000 Houston, TX 77002 Application deadline September 22, 2019 Jury chair(s) N/A UNITED STATES MAIN OFFICE Jury size 1 to 5 713-546-0227 Application notes 1 West 4th Street, Suite 1500 Application fee $50 to $120 email website Applications for the 2019-20 Studio and the Cincinnati, OH 45202 Application deadline September 11, 2019 2019 Eleanor McCollum Competition are closed; UNITED STATES ELIGIBILITY applications for the 2020-21 Studio and the 2020 888-512-5278 SEMIFINALS (live rounds) All classical singers of any age and nationality. The Eleanor McCollum Competition will be announced email website The MTNA Student Competitions consist of three application requests that singers over the age of 30 in summer of 2019. levels: State Competition, Division Competition, and explain why the HGO Studio is the next step in their ELIGIBILITY National Finals. careers. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) All entrants must be a U.S. citizen or must hold a U.S. November – December 2019: Preliminary auditions visa or permanent residence (green card), which is FINALS (live rounds) ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice in Houston, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, valid throughout the competition year. All entrants March 21-25, 2020: The 2020 MTNA National and New York February 2020: Semifinal auditions in must study with a teacher who is (1) a member of Conference, Chicago, IL Houston MTNA or (2) has paid the Nonmember Teacher Fee COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? of $150. MTNA active membership dues must be ✔ ✖ FINALS (live rounds) Semifinals Semifinals streamed paid before submission of the application to avoid ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed February 2020: Finals auditions • February 7: Eleanor the $150 nonmember fee. Elementary Division (ages McCollum Competition and Concert of Arias 5-10); Junior Division (ages 11-14); Senior Division Social links COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? (ages 15-18); Young Artists Division (ages 19-26); ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed Chamber Music (average age of ensemble must be ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed 18-26). *All ages as of January 1, 2019 Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 38 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SINGING COMPETITIONS MAIN OFFICE 9957 Moorings Drive, Suite 401 Jacksonville, FL 32257 Frequency Annual UNITED STATES Cash prizes More than $5,000 904-992-9101 Application deadline December 1, 2019 email website NATS NATIONAL MUSIC THEATER COMPETITION NATS ARTIST AWARDS (NATSAA) As the first national Competition for music theater The biennial NATS Artist Awards Competition is soloists, winners are finding success on Broadway, designed to assist singers prepared to launch a national tours, and theaters across the country. professional career. ELIGIBILITY ELIGIBILITY All singers age 20-28 as of September 15, 2019. NATSAA Applicant must be at least 21 but not more than NATS Artist Awards 35 years of age as of September 9, 2019; either the Frequency Biennial Competition for Singers applicant or his/her teacher for the last year must Cash prizes More than $14,000 More than $50,000 in prizes; launching be a full or associate member of NATS for at least Application deadline September 15, 2019 careers of classical singers since 1955 one year prior to September 9, 2019. SEMIFINALS and FINALS (live rounds) Frequency Biennial January 10-12, 2020, New York, NY Cash prizes More than $50,000 NATS NATIONAL STUDENT AUDITIONS Application deadline September 9, 2019 The first national competition Originally for classical repertoire only, auditions for the music theater soloist SEMIFINALS and FINALS (live rounds) have been expanded to music theater and (in even- A competition to stimulate the with more than $14,000 in prizes creation of quality vocal literature A national round of evaluation January 10-12, 2020, New York, NY numbered years) the Hall Johnson Spirituals. with more than $35,000 in prizes ELIGIBILITY LIVE NATS ART SONG COMPOSITION AWARD JOURNAL The NATS Art Song Composition Award program’s Student singers advance through NATS Regional LEARNING Auditions, which take place at varying times OF SINGING purpose is to stimulate the creation of quality CENTER vocal literature through the cooperation of singer throughout the year. The official journal of NATS A dynamic database of voice and composer. The performance of the first-place since 1944, with a complete and voice science resources Frequency Annual for all levels of learning winning composition will be premiered in 2020. digital library on nats.org Cash prizes More than $35,000 View session recordings online ELIGIBILITY Application deadline April 12, 2019 from past NATS conferences and workshops Competition is open to any composer. The work SEMIFINALS and FINALS (live rounds) must be: a song cycle, group of songs, or extended June 27-28, 2019 at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, single song approximately 15 minutes in length; for in conjunction with the NATS National Summer single voice and piano; to a text written in English, Workshop. for which the composer has secured copyright WWW.NATS.ORG clearance; composed within the last two years (after Social links NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS OF SINGING January 1, 2018).

2018-NATS-LOGO-AD-6.375x6.875-4C - NATS - Musical America.indd 1 1/10/2018 1:12:32 PM A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 39 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 MICHAEL LUDWIG NEMMERS PRIZE NEUE STIMMEN IN MUSIC COMPOSITION INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION

In 2003, the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music ELIGIBILITY NEUE STIMMEN is a unique platform designed to Jury chair at Northwestern University established the Michael Composers must be nominated, preferably by promote the careers of young opera singers. Aside Dominique Meyer, Director Vienna State Opera Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition, a recognized authorities in the field of classical from discovering talents, we offer long term advice Additional jurors biennial award honoring classical music composers music, such as prominent artists, critics, scholars, and provide personalized support. Singers are Brian Dickie, former director Chicago Opera Theater; of outstanding achievement. Northwestern or administrators, via a letter to the Selection offered to participate in concerts, master classes, Sophie de Lint, director Dutch National Opera; sponsors five Nemmers Prizes, the others in the Committee. The Prize is open to any classical workshops, and career coaching seminars. Former Sophie Joyce, director Lindemann Young Artist fields of economics, mathematics, medical science, composer without regard to citizenship or participants benefit from our international partner Development Program, Metropolitan Opera; Bernd and Earth sciences. institutional affiliation. Only living composers may network. Loebe, general director Opera Frankfurt; Alexander be nominated. The names of the nominators will not Neef, general director Canadian Opera Company MAIN OFFICE be made public; however, anonymous nominations MAIN OFFICE (audition rounds); Elisabeth Sobotka, general Bienen School of Music will not be accepted. Nominators may nominate Bertelsmann Stiftung director Bregenz Festival; Evamaria Wieser artistic Northwestern University any number of candidates. Former or present Carl-Bertelsmann-Str. 256 director Salzburg Festival and European casting Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center members of the Northwestern University faculty 33311 Gütersloh consultant, Lyric Opera Chicago for the Musical Arts and employees of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra GERMANY Jury size 6 to 10 70 Arts Circle Drive are not eligible for this prize. +4952418181171 Application fee Free Evanston, IL 60208 email website Application deadline March 15, 2019 UNITED STATES Nominations may be submitted by email to email website [email protected]. ELIGIBILITY SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Singers of any nationality; women up to 28 years of April 24 to September 8 2019: Preliminary rounds ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Composition age, born on or after October 27, 1990; men up to in Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Bologna, Cape Town, 30 years of age, born on or after October 27, 1988. DETAILS Chicago, Dublin, Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Izmir, Travel covered? Yes ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice Kiev, London, Madrid, Moscow, Munich, New York, Frequency Biennial Philadelphia, Pretoria, Riga, Shanghai, Toronto, First prize More than $50,000 DETAILS Vienna, Warsaw, Yokosuka • October 19-27: Semifinal Additional prize Performances Travel covered? Yes rounds in Gütersloh Jury chair(s) Not provided Frequency Biennial First prize €10,000 to €50,000 FINALS (live rounds) Jury size 1 to 5 October 24, 2019: Semifinal Concert • October 26, Application deadline January 31, 2020 Smallest prize Less than €5,000 Additional prizes Performances 2019: Final Concert COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Management COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✖ Not open to the public Recording ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 40 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 TENTH BIENNIAL CARL NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION COMPETITION FOR STRING QUARTET AND WIND QUINTET

A first in the world and a unique feature of the DETAILS Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music Gunvor Sihm, violin, Nightingale String Quartet & NYIPC, no contestant is eliminated throughout the Travel covered? No Competition for String Quartet & Wind Quintet is Danish National Symphony Orchestra; Bjørg Lewis, Competition, to be held June 21-26, 2020, in New Frequency Biennial established to create more focus on the chamber cello, Vetavo String Quartet & associate professor York City. Cash awards: First Prize $20,000; Second First prize $20,000 music works of Carl Nielsen. It is arranged by three at The Norwegian Academy of Music; David Geber, Prize $15,000; Third Prize $5,000; Fourth Prize Smallest prize Less than $5,000 major Danish cultural organizations in Denmark: The founding cellist, American String Quartet (1974- $2,500; Ensemble Prizes $6,000; Best Performance of Additional prize Concert appearances Royal Danish Academy of Music, The Royal Library, 2002), cello and chamber music faculty, Manhattan Commissioned Work $2,000; Finalist Award to each Jury chair Not provided and Danish Broadcasting Corporation. School of Music; Ole Kristian Dahl, bassoon of the remaining contestants $1,000. Jury size 6 to 10 and professor, Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Application fee $150 MAIN OFFICE und Darstellende Kunst, Mannheim, & principal MAIN OFFICE Application deadline December 4, 2019 Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music bassoon, WDR Symphony Orchestra, Cologne; The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation Competition Ulla Miilmann, principal flute, Danish National 119 West 57th Street, Suite 1401 FIRST AND SECOND ROUNDS (live rounds) c/o DR Symphony Orchestra; Michael Hasel, flute, Berliner New York, NY 10019 First Round: June 22-23, 2020 Emil Holms Kanal 20, opg.5-3 Philharmoniker, Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet; UNITED STATES Second Round: June 23-24, 2020 DK-0999 Copenhagen C Andreas Sundén, principal clarinet, Swedish Radio 212-581-8380 DENMARK FINALS (live round) Symphony Orchestra & clarinet professor, Royal email website +45 26702161 College of Music, Stockholm ,& Ingesund School of Concerto: June 25, 2020 email website ELIGIBILITY Music, Sweden. Open to pianists of all nationalities. Applicants must ENSEMBLE ROUND (live round) ELIGIBILITY Jury size 6 to 10 be between the ages of 16-22 during the time of the One-Piano, Four Hands: June 26, 2020 The combined ages of the string quartet must not Application fee €100 Competition. COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? exceed 120 years; the combined ages of the wind Application deadline May 15, 2019 ✔ ✔ quintet must not exceed 150 years; the age of any ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano First Round First Round SEMIFINALS (live rounds) streamed individual ensemble member must not exceed 35 October 15-16, 2019: 1st Round, Koncerthuset ✔ Second Round ✔ Second Round years. (Danish Broadcasting Corporation’s Studio 2) • streamed ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES October 17-18, 2019: 2nd Round, The Royal Library. ✔ ✔ Final Round Final Round Strings • String Quartet • Wind Quintet Both venues in Copenhagen, Denmark. streamed ✔ Ensemble Round ✔ Ensemble Round DETAILS FINALS (live rounds) streamed Travel covered? No October 19, 2019: The Royal Danish Academy of Frequency Quadrennial Music, Concert Hall Copenhagen, Denmark. Social links First prize €10,000 to €50,000 COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Smallest prize Less than €5,000 ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed Jury chair(s) ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Günter Pichler, String Quartet; Bjørn Carl Nielsen, Wind Quintet. Social links Additional jurors Asbjørn Nørgaard, viola, Danish String Quartet;

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 41 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 ELMAR OLIVEIRA INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION

Founded in 2016, the Elmar Oliveira International Additional jurors Violin Competition provides violinists, aged 16-32, Andres Cardenes; Ilya Kaler; Sung-Ju Lee; Silvia with management, communications, community Marcovici; Mihaela Martin; Gerardo Ribeiro; Barry engagement, and concert opportunities in addition Shiffman; Kathleen Winkler to a monetary prize. These career development tools Jury size 6 to 10 demonstrate the EOIVC’s dedication to developing Application fee $125 young musicians and their commitment to Application deadline engaging with the communities they serve. September 27, 2019, 11:59 pm EST MAIN OFFICE Application notes 3601 North Military Trail Applicants must complete and submit the following: Boca Raton FL 33431 EOIVC entry form, EOIVC Rules and Regulations, UNITED STATES Media Release, Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form, 561-909-7261 copy of a valid passport, the $125 entry fee, and the email website required repertoire via YouTube link. Application forms as well as all documents and repertoire can be ELIGIBILITY found on the EOIVC’s website. Violinists must be16 years at the time of submission and may not be more than 32 years of age by the SEMIFINALS (live rounds) conclusion of the competition. Submissions open January 14-18, 2020: Quarter Final Round, Lynn March 27, 2019. EOIVC 2020 will conclude on Conservatory of Music; Boca Raton, FL • January January 26, 2020. 19-21, 2020: Semifinal Round, Lynn Conservatory of Music; Boca Raton, FL ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings FINALS (live rounds) DETAILS January 23-26, 2020: Final Round: Wold Center for Travel covered? Yes the Performing Arts, Lynn University; Boca Raton, FL Frequency Triennial 26 January - 2 February 2020 First prize $10,000 to $50,000 COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Smallest prize $5,000 to $10,000 ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed The Gurwitz San Antonio, TX USA Additional prizes Performances ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Management Social links 2020 Jury chair David Cerone Application deadline: 30 June 2019 International Piano Competition

…to discover the next generation of top young pianists from around the globe. www.thegurwitz.org

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 42 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE 10TH OSAKA THE PARKENING INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION

The triennial Osaka International Chamber Music DETAILS The Parkening International Guitar Competition DETAILS Competition is comprised of Section One and Travel covered? Yes honors Christopher Parkening’s lifetime Travel covered? No Section Two. Section I is always for String Quartet Frequency Triennial commitment to fostering musical excellence in Frequency Quadrennial and Section II now alternates between Piano Trio or First prize $10,000 to $50,000 young artists as demonstrated by his mentor, the First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Quartet and Wind Ensemble. For the upcoming 10th Smallest prize $5,000 to $10,000 great Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia. It is held Smallest prize Less than $5,000 edition in 2020, Section II is devoted to the Piano Additional prizes Performances on the beautiful campus of Pepperdine University Jury chair(s) Not provided Trio or Quartet. Recording in Malibu, CA, where Christopher Parkening is Jury size 1 to 5 Jury chair(s) TBA distinguished professor of music. Application fee $125 MAIN OFFICE Additional jurors TBA Application deadline February 6, 2019 2-2-33, Shiromi Chuo-ku Jury size 6 to 10 MAIN OFFICE Osaka 540-8510 Application fee None 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Application notes JAPAN Application deadline Mid-October 2019 Malibu, CA 90263-4594 Application information 81-6-6947-2184 UNITED STATES email website SEMIFINALS (live rounds) 310-506-4522 SEMIFINALS (live rounds) May 2020: Izumi hall, Osaka, Japan email website May 31, 2019, afternoon: Five semifinalists ELIGIBILITY perform 30-minute programs; finalists announced Ensembles any nationality whose members are 35 FINALS (live rounds) ELIGIBILITY after judges’ deliberation. Smothers Theater at years old or younger. May 2020: Izumi Hall, Osaka, Japan The Competition, held May 28 through June 1, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA 2019, is open to classical guitarists 30 years old and ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Strings COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? younger (born on or after May 30, 1989). FINALS (live rounds) ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed June 1, 2019, evening: Three finalists perform full ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Classical Guitar concertos with orchestra; Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals presented after judges’ deliberation. Smoth- Social links ers Theater at Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 43 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE PARKENING YOUNG GUITARIST COMPETITION PIANOARTS

The Parkening Young Guitarist Competition helps DETAILS Finalists have four rehearsals—with second DETAILS to identify outstanding guitarists 17 years old and Travel covered? No pianist, conductor, chamber ensemble, and full Travel covered? No younger and encourages them to continue their Frequency Quadrennial orchestra—prior to performing a full concerto with Frequency Biennial performance careers and study. First prize Less than $10,000 the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Through the First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Jury chair(s) Not provided Artist Training Institute, contestants have classes on Smallest prize Less than $5,000 MAIN OFFICE Jury size 1 to 5 engaging audiences with concert conversations. Additional prize Performances 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Application fee $100 During the concurrent festival, all perform Jury chair Malibu, CA 90263-4594 Application deadline February 6, 2019 community concerts. Andrews Sill, PianoArts Music Director, will appoint UNITED STATES the 2020 jury in March 2019. 310-506-4522 Application notes MAIN OFFICE Jury size 6 to 10 email website Please check competition website 2642 North Summit Avenue Application fee $150 Milwaukee, WI 53211 Application deadline February 9, 2020 ELIGIBILITY SEMIFINALS (live rounds) UNITED STATES Applicants must be 17 years of age or younger at May 28, 2019, 1:00-4:30 pm: 10 guitarists perform 414-962-3055 Application notes the time of the Competition (born on or after May 12-minute programs. Raitt Recital Hall at Pepperdine email website Preliminary round video submission is due on 30, 2001). University, Malibu, CA February 23, 2020. ELIGIBILITY ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Classical Guitar FINALS (live rounds) For pianists, ages 16-21, of any nationality, living or SEMIFINALS (live rounds) May 29, 2019, 9:00-11:00 am: Five guitarists studying full time in North America. In June 2020, 10 pianists, selected as semifinalists, perform 15-minute programs. 4:30 pm: Awards will perform two live non-eliminating Competition Ceremony, Raitt Recital Hall at Pepperdine ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano recitals in Milwaukee, WI. Each will perform a solo University, Malibu, CA recital and a collaborative recital that includes COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? a violin or cello duo with a partner from the ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. ✔ ✔ Finals Finals streamed FINALS (live rounds) Social links Three pianists, selected as finalists, will perform complete concertos in live performances with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 44 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 PLOWMAN QUEEN ELISABETH COMPETITION— CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION BELGIUM – BRUSSELS

Since 2006, The Plowman Chamber Music ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Established in 1951 on the initiative of Her Majesty ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Strings • Voice Competition has provided an opportunity for Piano • Strings • Woodwinds • Brass • Percussion Queen Elisabeth of Belgium as a successor to the aspiring chamber musicians to perform live in • Piano Eugène Ysaÿe Competition, the Queen Elisabeth DETAILS front of an audience and a panel of judges for cash Competition very soon became one of the leading Travel covered? Yes awards totaling over $10,000, including a $5,000 DETAILS international competitions for violinists, pianists, Frequency Annual Grand Prize. New 2019: $2,000 Odyssey Award. Travel covered? No singers, and, as of 2017, cellists. First prize More than €50,000 See website for more details. Frequency Biennial Additional prizes Performances First prize $10,000 to $50,000 MAIN OFFICE Recording MAIN OFFICE Smallest prize Less than $5,000 Rue aux Laines, 20 Jury chair Gilles Ledure Plowman Chamber Music Competition Additional prize Performances B-1000 Brussels Jury size 11 or more c/o Odyssey Jury chair BELGIUM Application fee €100 First Baptist Church Ida Kavafian, violin (Curtis, Juilliard, Bard) +32 2 213 40 50 Application deadline December 4, 2019 1112 East Broadway Additional jurors email website Columbia, MO 65201-4910 Dale Clevenger, horn (Indiana University; former Application notes UNITED STATES CSO principal horn); Wei-Yi Yang, piano (Yale ELIGIBILITY Application deadline is for the 2020 piano session. The Queen Elisabeth International Music 573-864-6921 University) SEMIFINALS (live rounds) email website Jury size 1 to 5 Competition of Belgium is holding sessions for pianists, violinists, singers, and cellists. This April 29 – May 11, 2019: Violin • May 4-16, 2020: Application fee $40 per person Piano • May 3-15, 2021: Cello • May 1-6, 2021: Voice. ELIGIBILITY Application deadline February 19, 2019 Competition is for musicians who have completed Open to instrumental ensembles of three to their training and are ready to embark upon an Flagey, Place Sainte-Croix, Brussels, Belgium six players. Members must be interested in, or Application notes international career. It is open to candidates of all FINALS (live rounds) already pursuing a career in music. Ensembles with DVD application is February 11, 2019; February 19 nationalities who are at least the age of 18 and have May 20-25, 2019: Violin • May 25-30, 2020: Piano management as of March 22, 2019 are not eligible. is Late Deadline that must be accompanied with an not yet reached the age of 30 for instrumentalists • May 24-29, 2021: Cello • May 12-14, 22: Voice 2022. Ensemble may not have more than one piano, which additional fee. and 32 for vocalists. Center for Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium is the only keyboard instrument eligible. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? The Competition is unable to accommodate March 23, 2019: First Baptist Church, Columbia, MO ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ensembles that require more than five minutes set- ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed up and tear-down time (e.g. numerous percussion FINALS (live rounds) instruments, complex electronic set-ups, etc.). The March 24, 2019: Missouri Theater, Columbia, MO Social links ensemble is responsible for arranging for, and/or COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? bringing its own instruments and music. ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 45 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 THE QUEEN SONJA ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION INTERNATIONAL PIANO MASTER COMPETITION

Through exposure to an international jury of influ- DETAILS The Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master DETAILS ential figures within the opera world, master classes, Travel covered? No Competition is one of the foremost international Travel covered? Yes career development sessions, prizewinner concerts, Frequency Biennial piano competitions in the world, with 45 years Frequency Triennial and considerable cash prizes, participation in The First prize €10,000 to €50,000 seniority. Duration of the Competition is 16 days. First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Queen Sonja International Music Competition offers Smallest prize Less than €5,000 All stages of the Competition are performed live, Smallest prize Less than $5,000 young artists a valuable kick-start to their careers. Additional prize Performances streamed live on the internet, and are open to Additional prize Performances Jury chair the public. Jury chair Professor Arie Vardi MAIN OFFICE Birgitta Svendén, CEO and Artistic Director, The Additional jurors TBA MAIN OFFICE Universitetsgaten 14 Royal Opera in Stockholm Jury size 11 or more 9 Bilu Street 0164 Oslo Additional jurors Application fee $150 Tel Aviv 6522214 NORWAY Stefan Herheim, opera director, Theater an der Wien Application deadline October 1, 2019 ISRAEL +47 22 99 21 05 (from 2022); Annilese Miskimmon, opera director, +972 (0)3 685 6684 SEMIFINALS (live rounds) email website the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet in Oslo; email website May 6-11, 2020: Stage I. Invited competitors play Robert Körner, director of artistic production at The ELIGIBILITY 35-40 minute solo recitals • May 12-14, 2020: Stage Lyon Opera and casting director at the Vienna State Singers of all nationalities born after January 1, 1987, ELIGIBILITY II. 16 competitors play 50-60 minute solo recitals. Opera (from 2020); Diane Zola, assistant general can apply for the 2019 Competition. Applicants shall be between 18 and 32 years of age Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel manager, the Metropolitan Opera in New York; two within the calendar year of the Competition. The ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice singers TBA Competition is open to all nationalities. FINALS (live rounds) Jury size 6 to 10 Six finalists, each plays three concerts: Application fee €90 ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano May 15-16, 2020 Chamber Music, Tel Aviv Museum Application deadline April 1, 2019 of Art, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel • May 17-18, 2020 Classical Concerto • May 20-21, 2020 Grand Concerto, Charles SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Bronfman Auditorium, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel August 15-16, 2019: Preliminary rounds • August 18, 2019: Semifinal rounds, The Norwegian Academy of COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Music, Oslo, Norway ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed FINALS (live rounds) August 23, 2019: Final rounds Social links The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, Oslo, Norway COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 46 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 SCHMIDT VOCAL COMPETITION

The Schmidt Vocal Competition encourages young ELIGIBILITY artists to pursue their passion in the vocal arts, Participants must be high school sophomores, providing opportunities and support to help inspire juniors, or seniors and recommended by a voice or future generations of singers. In our 16 regional choral teacher. competitions, high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors perform in front of a live audience and ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice participate in master classes with some of today’s DETAILS most renowned vocal professionals. The Schmidt Travel covered? No Vocal Competition has impacted the lives of over Frequency 16 per year 5,000 young singers throughout the country and Cash prizes More than $100,000 annually provides scholarships for over 120 high Jury chair(s) Not provided school students. Jury size 1 to 5 Schmidt Competition participants have gone on to Application deadline gain entrance into the world’s finest music schools Varies by regional location and include winners of the Metropolitan Opera Application notes National Council Auditions, the George London Application deadlines are specific to each Competition, the National Association of Teachers of competition. The application deadline is two weeks Singing Artist Awards Competition, Classical Singer, before the regional competition date. Please see and the National Opera Association Award. website for all competition dates and locations. Prizes 20–29 May 2019 MAIN OFFICE FINALS (live rounds) altogether Helsinki 109 Presser Hall €173,000 Please see website for all competition dates and Jury 501 South Patterson locations. i €30,000 Oxford, OH 45056 Jorma Silvasti, chair UNITED STATES COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ii €20,000 Olaf Bär 513-529-3046 ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed iii €15,000 Ben Heppner email website ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed iv €10,000 Vesselina Kasarova Social links in two categories, François Le Roux Follow women and men Waltraud Meier the competition Engagements and Deborah Polaski live or recorded special prizes Kiri Te Kanawa at mirjamhelin.fi

THE MIRJAM HELIN INTERNATIONAL SINGING COMPETITION +358 9 6128 1248 ∙ [email protected] ∙ mirjamhelin.fi

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 47 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 FRANZ SCHUBERT AND MODERN MUSIC THE SOLTI FOUNDATION U.S.

Its uniqueness is the combination of traditional and DETAILS Established to honor the memory of legendary ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Conducting contemporary music, such that both participants Travel covered? No conductor Sir Georg Solti and his dedication and audience get in touch with each genre. Frequency Triennial to helping young artists. Awards: $25,000 Solti DETAILS Participants will perform contemporary pieces that First prize €10,000 to €50,000 Conducting Fellowship includes door-opening Travel covered? No are results of composition competitions that were Smallest prize Less than €5,000 introductions, ongoing professional mentoring, and Frequency Annual particularly established for this competition. Additional prizes Performances introductions to Lyric Opera of Chicago and Chicago First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Management Symphony Orchestra; and The Solti Foundation U.S. Jury chair MAIN OFFICE Recording Career Assistance Award (amount varies). Elizabeth Buccheri, Chair, Artistic and Awards Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Jury chair(s) Not provided Committee Leonhardstraße 15 Jury size 6 to 10 MAIN OFFICE Jury size 1 to 5 A-8010 Graz Application fee The Solti Foundation U.S. Application deadline January 15, 2019 AUSTRIA 1555 Sherman Avenue, Suite 310 €180 to €360/ensemble SEMIFINALS & FINALS (live rounds) email website Application deadline October 21, 2020 Evanston, IL 60201 UNITED STATES No live rounds ELIGIBILITY SEMIFINALS (live rounds) 847-448-8329 Up to age 35 years COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? February 10-12, 2021: Trio for Piano, Violin and email website ✖ Not open to the public ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Strings • Voice Violoncello, MUMUTH (House of Music and Music Drama) • Duo for Voice and Piano (Lied), Palais ELIGIBILITY Social links Meran • String Quartet, Theater im Palais (T.i.P.). Applicants must be: A career-ready artist in the field All venues in Graz, Austria of conducting • developing a career as a symphonic/ operatic conductor • a citizen or permanent FINALS (live rounds) resident of the U.S. • no more than 38 years of age February 14, 2021: Trio for Piano, Violin and as of January 15, 2019. The award will be based Violoncello, MUMUTH (House of Music and Music on the following: Professional experience in the Drama) • Duo for Voice and Piano (Lied), Palais field of conducting • demonstration of advanced Meran • String Quartet, Theater im Palais (T.i.P.). conducting technique • a written proposal for use of All venues in Graz, Austria the funds (see application requirements). COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 48 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 SPHINX COMPETITION

The Sphinx Competition offers young Black and DETAILS Latinx classical string players a chance to compete Travel covered? Yes under the guidance of a renowned panel of judges. Frequency Annual Its primary goals are to encourage, develop, and First prize $10,000 to $50,000 recognize classical music talent in the Black and Smallest prize Less than $5,000 Latinx communities. Additional prizes Performances Management MAIN OFFICE Jury chair Not provided 400 Renaissance Center, Suite 2550 Jury size 6 to 10 Detroit, MI 48243 Application fee $35 UNITED STATES Application deadline November 4, 2019 313-877-9100 x700 email website Application notes Please check competition website ELIGIBILITY The Competition is open to all junior high, high SEMIFINALS (live rounds) school, and college-age Black and Latinx string February 6, 2020, Detroit, MI players residing in the U.S. FINALS (live rounds) ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings February 8, 2020, Detroit, MI COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed 2019 SCHMIDT ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed VOCAL COMPETITION Social links

Helping Students Make Their Dreams a Reality! • $250,000 in cash awards and vocal scholarships offered annually • 16 regional competitions • Open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors • Students perform in front of a live audience and participate in master classes with some of today’s most renowned vocal professionals www.schmidtcompetition.org

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 49 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 9TH INTERNATIONAL SHANGHAI ISAAC STERN LOUIS SPOHR COMPETITION FOR YOUNG VIOLINISTS INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION

The Competition is open to young, talented DETAILS The third biennial Shanghai Isaac Stern International DETAILS violinists from all over the world. The semifinals Travel covered? No Violin Competition (SISIVC), Shanghai’s world-class Travel covered? Yes will take place with the orchestra of the University Frequency Triennial violin competition, will be held in late summer 2020 Frequency Biennial of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar, the prizewinners’ First prize Less than €10,000 in Shanghai, China. The Competition has a grand First prize More than $50,000 concert with the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra. Smallest prize Less than €5,000 prize of $100,000 USD. Smallest prize $5,000 to $10,000 Additional prize Performances Additional prizes Performances MAIN OFFICE Jury chair MAIN OFFICE Recording University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar Professor Friedemann Eichhorn (Germany) No. 1380 Middle Fuxing Road Jury chair(s) Platz der Demokratie 2/3 Additional jurors Shanghai David Stern & Vera Tsu Weiling 99423 Weimar Remus Azoitei (Romania/Great Britain), Boris CHINA Additional jurors TBA GERMANY Garlitsky (Russia/France), Eszter Haffner (Austria/ email website Jury size 11 or more +49-3643-555 150 Denmark), Latica Honda-Rosenberg (Germany), Application fee $100 email website ELIGIBILITY Min Kim (Korea), Svetlana Makarova (Russia/ The Competition is open to all participants between Application deadline January 31, 2020 ELIGIBILITY Switzerland), Axel Strauss (Germany/Canada), Tong the ages 16 and 32. Wei Dong (China), Kathrin ten Hagen (Germany) Application notes Category I: born in 2006 and younger. Category II: TBA. Please check Competition website for details. born between 2005 and 2003. Category III: born Jury size 6 to 10 ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings between 2002 and 1998. Application fee €100 SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Application deadline June 10, 2019 August 2020, Shanghai Symphony Hall, Shanghai, ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings SEMIFINALS (live rounds) China October 27-29, 2019: Violin, University of Music FINALS (live rounds) FRANZ LISZT, Weimar, Germany August 2020, Shanghai Symphony Hall, Shanghai, FINALS (live rounds) China. Check the website for up-to-date October 30 - November 1, 2019: Violin, University of information. Music FRANZ LISZT, Weimar, Germany COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ ✔ COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Semifinals Semifinals streamed ✔ ✔ ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed Finals Finals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 50 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 STULBERG INTERNATIONAL STRING COMPETITION TAKAMATSU INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

Established in 1975, the Stulberg is one of the ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings The Takamatsu International Piano Competition is ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano longest standing string competitions in the U.S. Its an artistic event that provides a forum for bringing uniqueness stems from its focus on young string DETAILS together top musicians from all over the world. DETAILS musicians, its high caliber of judges, its reputation Travel covered? No Encouraging young people to pursue their dreams Travel covered? Yes for excellence, and its longevity. Frequency Annual and goals of self-development, the Competition Frequency Quadrennial First prize Less than $10,000 also aims to foster a new culture of music in the First prize Less than $10,000 MAIN OFFICE Smallest prize Less than $5,000 local area. Additional prize Performances 359 South Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 14 Additional prize Performances Jury chair Shuku Iwasaki, pianist Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Jury chair(s) Not provided MAIN OFFICE Jury size 11 or more UNITED STATES Additional jurors Central Bldg,Annex 3rd Floor Application fee TBA 269-343-2776 Paul Coletti, viola; Emilio Colón, cello; Jennifer 4-12 Kamei-cho, Takamatsu Application deadline TBA email website Frautschi, violin Kagawa 760-0050 Jury size 1 to 5 JAPAN Application notes ELIGIBILITY Application fee $125 email website The fifth edition of the Takamatsu International The Stulberg International String Competition is Application deadline February 1, 2019 Piano Competition will be in 2022. open to students of violin, viola, cello, or double ELIGIBILITY TBA bass from around the world. Applicants must be SEMIFINALS (live rounds) SEMIFINALS (live rounds) under the age of 20 on January 1, prior to that year’s May 18, 2019, 9 am to 4 pm, Dalton Center Recital Date TBA. Venue in 2022: Sunport Hall Takamatsu competition. Proof of date of birth will be required Hall on the Western Michigan University campus in (Takamatsu, Japan) if selected as a semifinalist. Current students of that Kalamazoo, MI FINALS (live rounds) year’s judges are not eligible to apply. FINALS (live rounds) Date TBA. Venue in 2022: Sunport Hall Takamatsu May 18, 2019, 7:30 pm, Dalton Center Recital Hall (Takamatsu, Japan) on the Western Michigan University campus in COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Kalamazoo, MI ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ ✔ COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Finals Finals streamed ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed Social links ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 51 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 TORU TAKEMITSU ROSALYN TURECK COMPOSITION AWARD 2020 INTERNATIONAL BACH COMPETITION

Cash awards total 3,000,000JPY ($27,330) each year. DETAILS The Competition welcomes pianists 8-28 from ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Piano The judge may withhold the prize. The composers Travel covered? Yes the world over who pursue the musical ideals whose works are selected to be performed will be Frequency Annual espoused by the late Mme. Rosalyn Tureck. The DETAILS invited to attend. First prize $10,000 to $50,000 Competition consists of eight categories divided by Travel covered? No Smallest prize Less than $5,000 repertoire difficulty. A competitor may compete in Frequency Biennial MAIN OFFICE Jury chair Thomas Adés up to three categories and is required to perform a First prize Less than $10,000 3-20-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku Jury size 1 to 5 contemporary work. Additional prize Performances Tokyo 163-1403 Application fee Free Recording JAPAN Application deadline September 30, 2019 MAIN OFFICE Jury chair(s) TBA +81 3 5353 0770 23 West 73rd Street Additional jurors TBA email website Application notes New York, NY 10023 Jury size 1 to 5 Please submit two copies of the bound score, UNITED STATES Application fee $180 ELIGIBILITY together with a completed entry form. Mailed 212-873-6087 Application deadline October 15, 2019 Any person, regardless of nationality, who is not entries must be received by the above date. email website over 35 years old at the end of the year his/her Receipt of entries on the last day will close at 6:00 pm Application notes application is submitted. (Japan time). ELIGIBILITY Preliminary unedited DVD with repertoire to be Eight to 28, based on eligibility for certain intended to perform deadline: October 15, 2019. ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Composition FINALS (live rounds) categories. May 31, 2020, Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, Tokyo, SEMIFINALS & FINALS (live rounds) Japan December 2019: Semifinals. New York, NY. Venue to be announced on the website. COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed FINALS (live rounds) ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed December 2019 COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 52 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 35TH VALSESIA MUSICA VIOTTI INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 2019 INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION, VERCELLI

Valsesia Musica Competition (former Viotti Valsesia) DETAILS The Viotti International Music Competition, DETAILS started in 1981 to promote young talented Travel covered? No established in Vercelli in 1950 by Joseph Robbone, Travel covered? No musicians as well as Valsesia, the greenest valley Frequency Annual is one of the most prestigious Italian music Frequency Annual in Italy. It is divided in different sections: violin and First prize Less than €10,000 competitions and its prize winners have often gone First prize €10,000 to €50,000 orchestra, piano, voice, and chamber music. Smallest prize Less than €5,000 on to major careers. It is renowned for its high Smallest prize Less than €5,000 Additional prize Recording standards, awards, and prestigious jury. Additional prize Performances MAIN OFFICE Jury chair(s) TBA Jury chair Corso Roma, 35 Additional jurors TBA MAIN OFFICE Pietro Borgonovo, Artistic Director of the Viotti I-13019 VARALLO (VC) Jury size 1 to 5 Via Monte di Pietà 39 Music Competition ITALY Application fee €100 13100 Vercelli Jury size 6 to 10 +39 0163 560020 Application deadline April 17, 2019 ITALY Application fee €120 email website +39 0161 255 575 Application deadline July 21, 2019 Application notes email website ELIGIBILITY April 17, 2019: Violin and orchestra • end of Application notes Open to violinists, singers, and pianists from all over September 2019: Voice. ELIGIBILITY The two disciplines of the Viotti Competition, the world up to 37 years old. The 70th Gian Battista Viotti International voice and piano, alternate from year to year. The SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Piano Competition 2019 is open to pianists of ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Strings • Voice application deadlines for each are late July of the May 15, 2019: Violin and orchestra, Teatro Civico in all nationalities who were born after October Competition year. Varallo (VC) Italy • October 2019: Voice, Teatro Civico 19,1988. The age limit for the singers of the Viotti in Varallo (VC) Italy Competition 2020 is 30 (women) and 32 (men). SEMIFINALS (live rounds) October 10-13, 2019: First round • October 14-15, FINALS (live rounds) ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES Piano • Voice 2019: Quarterfinal • October 16, 2019: Semifinal, City May 16, 2019: Violin and orchestra, Teatro Civico in Theater of Vercelli, Vercelli, Italy Varallo (VC) Italy • October 2019: Voice, Teatro Civico in Varallo (VC) Italy FINALS (live rounds) October 19, 2019: Finals with orchestra, City Theater COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? of Vercelli, Vercelli, Italy ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed Social links ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 53 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 VSA 16TH INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL YOUNG SOLOISTS HENRYK WIENIAWSKI VIOLIN COMPETITION

Each year outstanding young musicians with ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES This is the oldest violin competition in the world, DETAILS disabilities from around the world receive the VSA Piano • Strings • Voice • All Instruments & Genres the first one having been held in 1935. Prize Travel covered? No International Young Soloists Award of $2,000, and winners include Ginette Neveu, Ida Haendel, David Frequency Quinquennial the opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy DETAILS Oistrakh, Igor Oistrakh, Julian Sitkowiecki, Wanda First prize €10,000 to €50,000 Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Travel covered? Yes Wilkomirska, and Charles Treger. It is organized Smallest prize €5,000 to €10,000 Frequency Annual every five years and includes rounds with chamber Additional prizes Performances MAIN OFFICE First prize Less than $10,000 orchestra and orchestra, the latter including two Management 2700 F Street NW Smallest prize Less than $5,000 concertos, one by H. Wieniawski. Recording Washington, DC 20566 Additional prize Performances Jury chair(s) Not provided UNITED STATES Jury chair(s) Not provided MAIN OFFICE Jury size 11 or more 202-416-8898 Jury size 1 to 5 Swietoslawska str. 7 Application fee €100 to €200 email website Application fee None 61-840 Poznań Application deadline January 8, 2021 Application deadline March 29, 2018 POLAND ELIGIBILITY +48 61 8522642; 0048 603 255 272 SEMIFINALS (live rounds) Musicians with disabilities between the ages of 14 FINALS (live rounds) email website October 8-19, 2021. For more information check and 25. July 26, 2019: Selected winners perform at the Competition website. Kennedy Center, Washington, DC ELIGIBILITY Open to violin players of all nationalities ages 16 FINALS (live rounds) COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? to 28. October 20-22, 2019, Adam Mickiewicz Auditorium, ✖ ✖ Semifinals Semifinals streamed Poznań, Poland ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? Social links ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed Social links

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 54 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 WIGMORE HALL WIGMORE HALL/INDEPENDENT OPERA INTERNATIONAL STRING QUARTET COMPETITION INTERNATIONAL SONG COMPETITION

The Wigmore Hall International String Quartet ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings The Competition celebrates the art of the song ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Voice Competition is one of the best and most prestigious recital and honors the Lied’s place at the heart of DETAILS quartet Competitions in the world. Held under DETAILS the genre. The Competition has grown in status and Travel covered? No the auspices of Wigmore Hall, the leading venue Travel covered? No prestige since its foundation in 1997 and continues Frequency Biennial for chamber music, the Competition attracts the Frequency Triennial to attract international singers and pianists keen to First prize Less than €10,000 best young quartets and offers excellent career First prize €10,000 to €50,000 embark on significant recital careers. Smallest prize Less than €5,000 development opportunities to prize winners. Smallest prize Less than €5,000 Additional prizes Performances MAIN OFFICE Additional prize Performances MAIN OFFICE Recording Wigmore Hall Jury chair Wigmore Hall Jury chair 36 Wigmore Street John Gilhooly OBE, Director, Wigmore Hall 36 Wigmore Street John Gilhooly OBE, Director, Wigmore Hall London W1U 2BP Additional jurors London W1U 2BP Additional jurors Jury TBA in 2019 UNITED KINGDOM John Mark Ainsley, Iain Burnside, Bernarda Fink, UNITED KINGDOM Jury size 6 to 10 +44 0207 258 8244 David Jackson, Graham Johnson OBE, Dame Felicity +44 0207 258 8244 Application fee email website Lott, Natalie Murray Beale, Thomas Quasthof, email website £25 (initial); £35 (if selected) Richard Stokes, Ailish Tynan ELIGIBILITY Application deadline October 9, 2020 Jury size 11 or more ELIGIBILITY All singers and accompanying pianists must be Application fee All members of quartets wishing to apply must be Application notes under 33 at the start date of the Competition for £25 (initial); £35 UK (if selected) under 35 at the start date of the Competition for The deadline for applications for the 2021 which they are applying. Application deadline March 15, 2019 which they are applying. Competition is not yet fixed but it will not be earlier than October 9, 2020. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) September 9, 2019, Wigmore Hall SEMIFINALS (live rounds) April 2021, exact date TBA, Wigmore Hall FINALS (live rounds) September 11, 2019, Wigmore Hall FINALS (live rounds) April 2021, exact date TBA, Wigmore Hall COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed ✔ Semifinals ✔ Semifinals streamed ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 55 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 WILSON CENTER GUITAR FESTIVAL YOUNG CONCERT ARTISTS INTERNATIONAL AUDITIONS

It is the goal of the Wilson Center Guitar Festival ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE Strings Young Concert Artists Inc. is a nonprofit organiza- DETAILS to celebrate the greatest guitarists of today and tion dedicated to discovering and developing the Travel covered? No tomorrow. Featuring four competitions—Classical, DETAILS careers of extraordinary classical musicians. The sole Frequency Annual Fingerstyle, Jazz, and Rock/Blues—the Wilson Travel covered? No criteria are exceptional musicianship, virtuosity, and First prize Less than $10,000 Center Guitar Festival is open to competitors of all Frequency Annual individuality. The musicians compete against a stan- Smallest prize Less than $5,000 ages. Compete for your share of $32,000 on August First prize Less than $10,000 dard of excellence not each other. There is no limit Additional prizes Management 15-17, 2019. Semifinals and finals take place before Smallest prize Less than $5,000 to the number of winners. Performances a public audience and are judged by a panel of Jury chair(s) Not provided Recording renowned artists from each genre. Jury size 11 or more MAIN OFFICE Jury chair Application fee $50 to $80 1776 Broadway, Suite 1500 Susan Wadsworth, Director, Young Concert Artists, Inc. MAIN OFFICE Application deadline May 31, 2019 New York, NY 10019 Jury size 11 or more 19805 West Capitol Drive UNITED STATES Application fee Brookfield, WI 53045 Application notes 212-307-6656 Applicants must submit a performance video of two $55 early deadline / $85 final deadline UNITED STATES email website Application deadline August 2, 2019 262-373-5028 contrasting works either by DVD or YouTube, with email website the video marked as public or unlisted. Please read ELIGIBILITY Application notes the complete rules before applying. Applications Applicants at the beginning of a musical career, who Early deadline: May 31, 2019 • Final deadline: August ELIGIBILITY must be received by midnight (CDT) on May 31, 2019. offer repertoire within the categories listed, provide 2, 2019. The Wilson Center Guitar Festival is open to non- two appropriate letters of recommendation, and are professional guitarists of all nationalities and ages. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) not under U.S. management. SEMIFINALS (live rounds) A candidate may not be a professional guitarist and August 16, 2019: Semifinals, Sharon Lynne Wilson November 2019, New York, NY may not be signed to any labels and/or professional Center for the Arts, Brookfield, WI ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES management. A professional guitarist is defined Piano • Strings • Voice • Brass • Woodwinds FINALS (live rounds) FINALS (live rounds) • Chamber Ensembles November 2019, New York, NY as a person who makes a full-time career from August 17, 2019: Finals, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center guitar-related work, such as teaching (i.e. 30-60 for the Arts, Brookfield, WI COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? students per week), touring fulltime, or session ✖ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed work fulltime. A guitarist who only teaches a small COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC? ✔ Finals ✔ Finals streamed number of students, and/or plays non-regular ✔ Semifinals ✖ Semifinals streamed jobs, or is enrolled as a full-time student, is not ✔ Finals ✖ Finals streamed Social links considered a professional guitarist. The qualification Social links as professional or non-professional will ultimately be at the sole discretion of the Wilson Center Guitar Festival management.

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 56 musicalamerica.com • February 2019 MORE ON THE

WEb Advertiser Index Stephanie Challener In addition to the Competitions featured in this special report, the Musical America database of more than Publisher and Managing Editor The Azrieli Foundation...... 8 450 music competitions worldwide is free of charge for the month of February 2019! Susan Elliott William C. Byrd Young Artist String Competition...... 23 Editor, News and Special Reports A Musical America Guide to Competitions Jamie Barton: Competitor Extraordinaire [email protected] The Fryderyk Chopin Institute...... 13 Our Special Report on the top competitions in Christmas Carol Commission Competition...... 30 Frances Wan the world. Confessions of a Seasoned Jurist Design Director | Database Publishing Specialist What Do the Judges Look For? Emerging Artist Competition...... 20 Howard Roth The Grand Competition Evolution of the 3rd Ilona Fehér International Violin Competition and Masterclasses Business Consultant 21st Century Why Competitions Matter (or Not) by Festival Academy Budapest (HUN)...... 30 Sedgwick Clark International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition...... 16 Features Editor, Musical America Directory Competition Insights from the Horse’s Win a Contest, Get a Gig? The Gurwitz International Piano Competition...... 42 Bill Esposito Mouth The Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition...... 47 Manager of Listing Services Choosing the Best Competition for YOU [email protected] International Vocal Competition ’s-Hertogenbosch ...... 7 5 Top Competitors: Lessons Learned from Carolyn Eychenne (Europe) Winning and Losing Olga Kern International Piano Competition...... 33 Advertising Sales Representative Liszt Competition Utrecht ...... 6 33.1.39.58.14.01 ß [email protected] International Competition Long Thibaud Crespin...... 7 Andrea Rancati (Italy) Advertising Sales Representative Music Teachers National Association...... 23 39.02.703.00088 ß [email protected] National Association of Teachers of Singing Competitions...... 39 Debra Kraft The New York International Piano Competition...... 27 Account Coordinator [email protected] In The Next Issue… Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition...... 18

International Piano Competition of Orléans...... 49 PUBLISHED BY FESTIVALS The Queen Sonja International Music Competition...... 36 A 2019 Summer Guide Schmidt Vocal Competition...... 49 Coming 2 April 2019 11th International Chamber Music Competition Franz Schubert & Modern Music...... 27 Questions? Email [email protected] Performing Arts Resources, LLC Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition ...... 12 PO Box 1330, Hightstown, NJ 08520 Wigmore Hall/Independent Opera International Song Competition...... 16 609-448-3346 ß [email protected]

A musical america Guide to Top Competitions 57 musicalamerica.com • February 2019