Competitions

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

RCMJD competition entry conditions & regulations

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

Peter Morrison Concerto Competition

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

  • Entry deadline: end of Wednesday 27 September 2023
  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 30 September 2023
  • Preliminary round rehearsals: Saturday 21 October and Saturday 4 November 2023
  • Preliminary round: 9am, Saturday 11 November 2023
  • Final round rehearsals: Saturday 18 November 2023
  • Final round: 3pm, Saturday 25 November 2023

Entry requirements:

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

Barbara Boissard Junior Concerto Competition

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

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 22 November 2023
  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 25 November 2023
  • Rehearsals: Saturday 13 and Saturday 20 January 2024
  • Competition date: 9am, Saturday 27 January 2024

Entry requirements:

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

Gordon Turner Competition

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

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 29 November 2023
  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 2 December 2023
  • Rehearsals: Saturday 3 and Saturday 17 February 2024
  • Preliminary rounds: 9am, Saturday 24 February and Saturday 2 March 2024
  • Final round: 9am, Saturday 9 March 2024

Entry requirements:

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

Gordon Turner Harp Competition

For all first-study harpists.

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

  • Closing date: not applicable

  • Competition date: 2pm, Saturday 9 March 2024

Angela Bull Piano Competition

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

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 14 February 2024

  • Teacher approval deadline: 5pm, Saturday 17 February 2024
  • Competition date: 9am, Saturday 16 March 2024

Entry requirements:

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

Marjorie Humby Competition

Open to all first-study students in years 7-8.

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 6 March 2024
  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 9 March 2024
  • Rehearsals: Saturday 20 and Saturday 27 April 2024
  • Preliminary rounds: 9am, Saturday 4 and Saturday 11 May 2024
  • Final round: 9am, Saturday 18 May 2024

Entry requirements:

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

Chamber Music Competition

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

  • Closing date: 5pm, Saturday 16 March 2024

  • Preliminary round: Saturday 27 April and/or Saturday 4 May 2024 (as required)
  • Final round: 5.30pm, Saturday 1 June 2024

Entry requirements:

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

Joan Weller Composition Competition

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

  • Closing date: 5pm, Saturday 27 April 2024

Entry requirements:

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

Hugh Bean String Competition

Open to all string players in years 8 and below.

  • Student entry form deadline: end of Wednesday 24 April 2024

  • Teacher approval/accompaniment submission deadline: 5pm, Saturday 27 April 2024
  • Rehearsals: Saturday 1 and Saturday 8 June 2024
  • Competition date: 9am, Saturday 15 June 2024

Entry requirements:

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

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