Looking to take your creative talents to the next level, challenge yourself and maybe win some well-earned prize money? Then check out our competition guide, a comprehensive list of the best upcoming international competitions across the performing arts. The full listings are available in the next edition of the magazine, but to get you started here’s a selection of competitions with deadlines fast approaching. Get applying, and good luck!
1. Genée International Ballet Competition
Closes: TBA
Discipline: Dance
Where: London, UK
When: 10 – 19 September
info@rad.org.uk
www.rad.org.uk/achieve/the-genee
One of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world. For the 2015 competition, candidates will experience world-class coaching at RAD headquarters by the Thames in Battersea, including sessions in the Genée Studio, named after Dame Adeline herself. The semi-finals will take place on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September at Stratford Circus Arts Centre; The Final will take place on Saturday 19 September at the world-famous Sadler’s Wells theatre in Islington. A new international bursary scheme is aimed at widening access to the Genée.
2. Theatre Architecture Competition
Closes: 27 March
Discipline: Architecture
Where: Berlin, Germany
When: 9 – 11 June
headquarters@oistat.org
www.oistat.org
The OISTAT Theatre Architecture Competition is an international ideas competition, aimed at students and emerging practitioners, which is organised every four years by the Architecture Commission of OISTAT (International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians). Entrants are required to submit designs for a small theatre that could be located within Berlin. The next competition will be exhibited at the Stage, Set, Scenery conference and exhibition organised by DTHG (German OISTAT Centre) in Berlin from 9-11 June 2015. Selected entries will be exhibited, with first prize €5,000, second prize €2,500 and third prize €1,000.
3. The Queen Sonja International Music Competition
Closes: 1 April
Discipline: Voice
When: 11 – 21 August
Where: Oslo, Norway
post@qsimc.no
www.qsimc.no
Founded in 1988, the biennial competition is designed to progress the careers of talented young singers. First prize is €40,000, while second and third place receive €10,000 and €5,000 respectively. Entrants must be born after 1 January 1983, the application deadline is 1 April.
4. International Competition of Young Conductors Lovro von Matačić
Closes: 1 April
Discipline: Conducting
When: 5 – 11 October 2015
Where: Zagreb, Croatia
kdz@kdz.hr
www.kdz.hr
The 6th International Competition of Young Conductors Lovro von Matačić will take place at the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, Zagreb. There will be three rounds of the competition, as well as the final concert at which results will be announced. The Competition is open to conductors born in or after 1980, regardless of nationality, with an unlimited number of applicants accepted for the first round. Applications should be made by 1 April, with first, second and third prizes of €7,000, €5,000 and €3,000 respectively.
5. TIM – International Music Tournament
Closes: April 2
Discipline: Various
When: 18-30 September 2016
Where: Rome, Italy
info@timcompetition.org
www.timcompetition.org
Founded by Luigi & Federico Fait in 1991, the International Music Tournament (TIM) takes place over four rounds where all the contestants, with no age limits, are judged by an international Jury. The competition is open to all disciplines, including composition and criticism. All winners are rewarded with concerts for the next music season. Payment for concerts ranges from €500 – €5,000, with initial selection rounds taking place in respective countries.
6. Guido d’Arezzo International Polyphonic Competition
Closes: 11 April
Discipline: Composition
When: 26 – 29 August
Where: Arezzo, Italy
fondguid@polifonico.org
www.polifonico.org
Since 1953 Guido d’Arezzo International Polyphonic Competition has been an important stage for the expression of the choral world, with an incomparable range of repertoires, styles, authors, it is a valuable stimulus for interpretive research. Eight categories are represented, including Gregorian chant and children’s choirs. First prize in each category receives €1,000, while one overall winner receives €2,000.
7. Aram Khachaturian International Competition
Closes: 15 April
Discipline: Violin
When: 6 – 14 June
Where: Yerevan, Armenia
info@akhic.com
www.akhic.am
An annual competition aimed at identifying talented young musicians in the rotating specialties of piano, violin and cello. In 2015, the 11th Aram Khachaturian International Competition is open to violinists of any nationality born between 6 June 1983 and 14 June 1999 (ages 16-32). Deadline for applications is 15 April, 2015, with selected participants receiving an invitation no later than 1 May. This year’s expert musician jury is chaired by Armenian Eduard Tadevosyan, and first prize includes a cash award of USD15,000 (€14,207), a worldwide tour, CD recording and a Laureate Diploma.
8. Seoul International Dance Competition
Closes: 23 May
Discipline: Dance
When: 23 – 31 July
Where: Seoul, Korea
sicf@sicf.or.kr
www.sicf.or.kr
Prizes are awarded for both men and women, in a range of age groups, for ballet, ethnic and contemporary dance. Supported by Seoul International Cultural Foundation, the competition is designed to promote links between different genres and to give promising young dancers international experience. First prize winners in the senior category (aged 19-35) receive USD3,000 (€2,800).
9. Flamenco Dance Choreography Competition
Closes: 26 May
Discipline: Dance
When: 30 June – 2 July
Where: Madrid, Spain
certamenflamenco@gmail.com
www.certamenflamenco.com
Annual flamenco choreographer competition, founded in 1992 by choreographer Margaret Jova. A €5,000 prize is awarded to the best choreographed piece, while best solo work receives €3,000. The 2015 edition takes place at Teatro Fernando Rojas Del Circulo De Bellas Artes.
10. Universal Marimba Competition
Closes: 1 June
Discipline: Marimba composition
When: 17 – 26 July 2015
Where: Sint-Truiden, Belgium
secretariat-competition@telenet.be
www.marimbacompetition.com
Open to composers of all nationalities and ages, the Universal Marimba Competition holds solo contests biennially, and chamber music duo contests on a quadrennial basis. The 2015 competition is for composers, aiming to gather marimba musicians from around the globe to foster cross-cultural understanding and share prizes including cash and materials totaling more than €60,000, as well as festival performances and CD recordings in the beautiful wooden Academic Hall.
11. Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting
Closes: 5 June
Discipline: Theatre
When: 17 November
Where: Manchester, England
comments@royalexchange.co.uk
www.writeaplay.co.uk
Responsible for launching the careers of several successful playwrights, including Alistair McDowall and Duncan Macmillan, the Bruntwood is one of the world’s premier playwriting prizes. Judged by an expert panel including artistic director Sarah Frankcom and actor/writer Meera Syal, the winning plays are developed into productions in partnership with the Royal Exchange. The biennial award has a cash prize for 2015 totalling GBP40,000 (€55,600) shared among winning entries.