2017 GUIDE TO TOP COMPETITIONS


Lyon international chamber music competition
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
More than 600 chamber artists have taken part in the CIMCL. Prize winning concert is broadcast on national France musique radio. A large audience follows the competition in the most beautiful halls of the city of Lyon. Member of the WFIMC.
MAIN OFFICE
54 rue du 1er mars 1943
69100 Villeurbanne
FRANCE
contact@cimcl.fr
WEBSITE
http://www.cimcl.fr
ELIGIBILITY
All nationalities, artists born under 33 years old
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Trio violin, cello and piano • String Quartet • Duo violin and piano • Duo voice and piano • Duo cello and piano • Woodwind Quintet • Brass Quintet
DETAILS
Travel Covered? No
Frequency Annual
Cash prizes $10,000 to $50,000
Additional prizes Performances
Jury chair(s) Reto Bieri, clarinet / Davos, Yiu Song Lam, oboe / Hong-Kong, Bruno Schneider, horn / Genova, Karl-Heinz Schütz, flöte / Wien, Bruno Messina, director Berlioz Festival / France, Robin O'Neil, bassoon / UK, Vincent Lucas, flute / Paris, Lencses Lajos, obo
Jury size 6 to 10
Application deadline January 15, 2017
Application notes End of January of each year.
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
2017, April 21st
Woodwind Quintet
Lyon, France
Université Lumière Lyon 2
FINALS (live rounds)
2017, April 21st
Woodwind Quintet
Lyon, France
Opéra de Lyon
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Semifinals Semifinals streamed
Finals Finals streamed
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2016 Marius Urba, cello and Vita Kahn, piano
2015 Castalian Quartet
2014 Diana Tishchenko, violin and Joachim Carr, piano duo
2013 Cyril Dubois, tenor and Tristan Raës, piano duo
2012 Eburon Brass Quintett
2011 Van Baerle Trio
2009 Hermès Quartet
SOCIAL LINKS

M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The M-Prize aims to identify and showcase the highest caliber of international chamber arts ensembles; provide a world-class performance and adjudication platform for the chamber arts; launch and advance the careers of chamber ensembles through prizes, visibility, and professional development opportunities; and evolve the breadth and depth of the chamber arts landscape.
MAIN OFFICE
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
1100 Baits Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
UNITED STATES
mprizedirector@umich.edu
WEBSITE
http://mprize.umich.edu
ELIGIBILITY
Junior Division: 18 years and under
Senior Division: average age does not 35, with no individual member over 40 years of age. Senior Division ensembles may contain members younger than 19 years of age.
Ensembles must have 2-10 members with one member per part. Ensembles may not include conductors.
Please see full eligibility requirements at mprize.umich.edu [http://mprize.umich.edu]
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano • Strings • Voice • Winds • Open (ensembles of any instrumentation/genre)
DETAILS
Travel Covered? No
Frequency Annual
Cash prizes More than $50,000
Additional prizes Performances
Jury chair(s) Not provided
Jury size 11 or more
Application deadline February 1, 2017
FINALS (live rounds)
The M-Prize Winner is selected from one of three 1st Place Laureate Ensembles from the Senior Division during the Gala Concert at Hill Auditorium.
May 4, 2017; Ann Arbor, Michigan; USA.
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Semifinals Semifinals streamed
Finals Finals streamed
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
Calidore String Quartet (2016)
SOCIAL LINKS
 

The Mahler Competition
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The competition is one of the most important events of its kind anywhere in the world. It has attracted entries from more than 1,600 young conductors of all nationalities. Only 65 candidates have been invited to Bamberg and of those barely 12 have made it to the finals.
MAIN OFFICE
Bamberger Symphoniker - Bayerische Staatsphilharmonie
Mussstrasse 1
D-96047 Bamberg
GERMANY
info@themahlercompetition.com
WEBSITE
http://www.themahlercompetition.com
ELIGIBILITY
Young Conductors not older than 35 years on January 1, 2019
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Conducting
DETAILS
Travel Covered? Yes
Frequency Triennial
Cash prizes €10,000 to €50,000
Additional prizes Performances
Management
Jury chair(s) to be announced
Jury size 11 or more
Application deadline August 31, 2018
Application notes applications will be open mid 2018, please check our website for further information!
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
2019, Konzerthalle, Bamberg, Germany
2019, Konzerthalle, Bamberg, Germany
FINALS (live rounds)
2019, Konzerthalle, Bamberg, Germany
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Semifinals Semifinals streamed
Finals Finals streamed
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2004 Gustavo Dudamel
2007 Shi-Yeon Sung
2010 Ainars Rubikis
2013 Lahav Shani
2016 Ka Chun Wong
SOCIAL LINKS
  

Eleanor McCollum Competition
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The Eleanor McCollum Competition and Concert of Arias is the primary recruitment tool for the Houston Grand Opera (HGO) Studio. Applicants can be considered for the HGO Studio, the Competition, or both, and do not need to be a prize winner to be invited to the Studio.
MAIN OFFICE
510 Preston Street
Houston, TX 77002
UNITED STATES
studio@hgo.org
WEBSITE
https://www.houstongrandopera.org/studio/the-eleanor-mccollum-competition
ELIGIBILITY
All classical singers of any age and nationality. The application requests that singers over the age of 30 explain why the HGO Studio is the next step in their careers.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Voice
DETAILS
Travel Covered? Yes
Frequency Annual
Cash prizes $10,000 to $50,000
Jury chair(s) Patrick Summers, Perryn Leech, and a Guest Judge
Jury size 1 to 5
Application deadline September 24, 2017
Application notes Applications for the 2017-18 Studio and the 2017 Eleanor McCollum Competition are closed; applications for the 2018-19 Studio and the 2018 Eleanor McCollum Competition will be announced in July-August of 2017.
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Preliminary auditions will be held in Houston, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City in November-December 2017. Semifinal auditions will be held in Houston in January 2018.
FINALS (live rounds)
Final auditions will be held in Houston in late January 2018, culminating in the Eleanor McCollum Competition and Concert of Arias on February 1, 2018.
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Semifinals Semifinals streamed
Finals Finals streamed
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
Previous winners include Jamie Barton, Joyce DiDonato, Ana María Martínez, Ryan McKinny, and Tamara Wilson.
SOCIAL LINKS
      

Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
In 2004, the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University established the Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music Composition, a biennial award honoring classical music composers of outstanding achievement. Northwestern sponsors five Nemmers Prizes, the others being in the fields of economics, mathematics, medical science, and earth sciences.
MAIN OFFICE
Bienen School of Music
Northwestern University
Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Center for the Musical Arts
70 Arts Circle Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
UNITED STATES
nemmersmusic@northwestern.edu
WEBSITE
http://www.music.northwestern.edu/nemmers
ELIGIBILITY
The Michael Ludwig Nemmers in Music Composition will be awarded to a classical music composer who shows the highest level achievement in a body of work and a unique creativity. Composers must be nominated, preferably by recognized authorities in the field of classical music, such as prominent artists, critics, scholars, or administrators, via a letter to the Selection Committee. The Prize is international in focus and therefore open to any classical composer without regard to citizenship or institutional affiliation. Only living composers may be nominated. The names of the nominators will not be made public; however, anonymous nominations will not be accepted. Nominators may nominate any number of candidates. Former or present members of the Northwestern University faculty and employees of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are not eligible for this prize. Nominations may be submitted by email to >nemmersmusic@northwestern.edu [mailto:>nemmersmusic@northwestern.edu]. Email submissions must be emailed from the nominator's professional affiliation. The winner will receive a prize of $100,000. The winner must be available for a two- to three-week residency at Northwestern University (the weeks may be non-consecutive) and able to interact with faculty and students.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Composition
DETAILS
Travel Covered? Yes
Frequency Biennial
Cash prizes More than $50,000
Jury chair(s) Not provided
Jury size 1 to 5
Application deadline February 1, 2018
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Not open to the public
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2016 Steve Reich
2014 Esa-Pekka Salonen
2012 Aaron Jay Kernis
2010 John Luther Adams
2008 Kaija Saariaho
2006 Oliver Knussen
2004 John Adams

National Chopin Piano Competition of the USA
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The National Chopin Piano Competition (NCPC) is open to U.S. pianists exclusively. It is held every five years (since 1975), always in Miami, FL. NCPC follows closely requirements and rules of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Poland. Its top winners are accepted to the Warsaw's Competition automatically.
MAIN OFFICE
1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117
Miami, FL 33141
UNITED STATES
info@chopin.org
WEBSITE
http://www.chopin.org
ELIGIBILITY
The National Chopin Piano Competition is open to USA pianists exclusively. Eligibility to be determined based upon the requirements of the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano
DETAILS
Travel Covered? No
Frequency Quadrennial
Cash prizes More than $50,000
Additional prizes Performances
Jury chair(s) To be announced
Jury size 6 to 10
Application deadline November 4, 2019
Application notes This competition is held every five years.
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Piano - Chopin music only. All rounds live.
Tentative dates for the live four rounds of the competition are February 15 through 23, 2020.
Competition will be held in Miami, Florida. Venue TBA.
FINALS (live rounds)
Four live rounds: Piano - February 15 through 23, 2020.
Miami, FL; venue TBA
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Semifinals Semifinals streamed
Finals Finals streamed
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2015 Eric Lu, Rachel Kudo
2010 Claire Huangci, Rachel Kudo
2005 Mei-Ting Sun, Rachel Kudo
2000 Ning An, Jun Asai
1995 Jon Nakamatsu, Andrew Armstrong
1990 Wendy Chen, Kevin Kenner
SOCIAL LINKS
    

Osaka International Chamber Music Competition
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The Osaka International Chamber Music Competition is comprised of Section I, for string quartet, and Section II for wind ensembles. The Festa section is for other chamber groups, such as piano trio.
MAIN OFFICE
2-2-33, Shiromi Chuo-ku
Osaka, 540-8510
JAPAN
osaka-comp@jcmf.or.jp
WEBSITE
http://www.jcmf.or.jp/competition/
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants shall be ensembles of musicans of any nationality whose members are 35 years old or younger.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
String Quartet and Wind Ensembles (Wind Quintet, Saxophone Quartet and Brass Quintet)
DETAILS
Travel Covered? Yes
Frequency Triennial
Cash prizes More than $50,000
Additional prizes Performances
Jury chair(s) Tsuyoshi TSUTSUMI Chairman, Japan
Jury size 11 or more
Application deadline October 20, 2016
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
May.13, 2016 to May 17,2016, Izumi Hall, Osaka, Japan
FINALS (live rounds)
May 20,2016, Izumi Hall, Osaka, Japan
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Semifinals Semifinals streamed
Finals Finals streamed
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
Strings:
2014 Arcadia String Quartet
2011 Attacca String Quartet
2008 Doric String Quartet
Piano:
2014 Trio Rafale(Piano Trio)
Saxophone:
2011 Morphing Saxophone Quartet

Queen Elisabeth Competition - Belgium - Brussels
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
Established in 1951 on the initiative of Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth of Belgium as a successor to the Eugene Ysaye Competition, the Queen Elisabeth Competition very soon became one of the leading international competitions for violinists, pianists, singers, and, in 2017, cellists.
MAIN OFFICE
Rue aux Laines, 20
B-1000 Brussels
BELGIUM
info@qeimc.be
WEBSITE
http://www.qeimc.be
ELIGIBILITY
The Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium is holding sessions for pianists, violinists, singers and cellists. This competition is for musicians who have completed their training and who are ready to embark upon an international career. The competition is open to candidates of all nationalities, who are aged at least 18 and who have not yet reached the age of 30.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano • Strings • Voice
DETAILS
Travel Covered? Yes
Frequency Annual
Cash prizes €10,000 to €50,000
Additional prizes Performances
Jury chair(s) Mr Arie Van Lysebeth-Chaimain
Jury size 11 or more
Application deadline January 10, 2017
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Venue: Flagey
Cello 2017
15 > 20/05/2017
Voice 2018
4 & 5/05/2018
Violin 2019
06>11/05/2019
FINALS (live rounds)
Centre for Fine Arts
Cello 2017
29/05 > 03/06/2017
Voice 2018
10>12/05/2018
Violin 2019
20>25/05/2019
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Semifinals Semifinals streamed
Finals Finals streamed
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
Voice 2011
HONG Haeran [Korea] soprano
Violin 2012
Andrey BARANOV [Russian Federation]
Piano 2013
Boris GILTBURG [Israël]
Voice 2014
HWANG Sumi [Korea] soprano
Violin 2015
LIM Ji Young [Korea]
Piano 2016
Lukas Vondracek [Czech Republic]
SOCIAL LINKS
  


 

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