Applications Now Open for 2023 Whitworth Roach Classical Music Performance Competition

2022 competition winners. L-R (Christine Roach Special Prize) Zoë Loxley Slump, First Prize (voice) - Lily Ward, the late Ms Christine Roach, Third Prize (voice) - Emmeline Booth, Second Prize (piano) - Jacob Wu.
Wednesday 30 August 2023

Applications for the 2023 Whitworth Roach Classical Music Performance Competition are now open. The finals will be held on Wednesday 4 October at 7pm, audience members can register here.

Through the generosity of the late Ms Christine Roach, students from The Australian National University are given the opportunity to perform in front of an esteemed panel and guests for their share of $20,000 in prize money.  

Christine Roach was a passionate supporter of music students, who gained great pleasure in attending the competition each year. Over the years her generosity was of the highest order, which extended to support of the ANU Orchestra as well. At this year’s competition, her presence will be greatly missed.  

As a key event on the School of Music and ANU calendar, the competition celebrates the talent and dedication of classical music students. Full-time ANU students from across the campus are eligible to enter this competition to win one of the following prizes.  

First prize - $10,000 
Second prize - $5,000 
Third prize - $2,500 
People’s Choice prize - $2,500 
 
Applications open: Monday 4 September 
Applications close: Friday 22 September Application deadline extended: Monday 25 September
Heats: Thursday 28 September  
Finals: Wednesday 4 October 
 
Guidelines 

Entrants must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program. 
Entrants must not be holding an appointment as an academic staff member. 
Entrant must not have previously won first prize in the Whitworth Roach Classical Music Performance Competition. 
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 22 September. 
Entrants must prepare a 30-minute program of music and must perform 10 minutes of their program in the heats.  
Heats will take place 9am-2pm Thursday 28 September in the Larry Sitsky Recital Room - we will not accept video submissions. 
Four (4) entrants will be selected to perform in the finals on the evening of Wednesday 4 October 

>> APPLY NOW

This year, we are offering eligible students the chance to compete for the Margaret Smiles Associate Musician Prize for Pianists ($2,000) and the Llewellyn Choir Prize for Most Outstanding Instrumentalist ($500) and Vocalist ($500) within the Whitworth Roach Classical Music Performance Competition. 

Pianists wishing to compete for the Margaret Smiles Associate Musician Prize must: 

  • be enrolled in a program leading to the award of a degree offered by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences 

  • the instrumentalist/singer must perform at least 10 minutes of their program with their CASS associate pianist and may perform the remaining 20 minutes of their program with another associate musician 

 
Instrumentalists and vocalists wishing to compete for the Llewellyn Choir Prizes must: 

  • be enrolled in a program leading towards a Bachelor degree in the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences 

  • must perform at least 10 minutes of their program with their CASS associate pianist and may perform the remaining 20 minutes of their program with another associate musician  

The Margaret Smiles Associate Musician Prize for Pianists encourages the art of professional musical collaboration at the ANU School of Music. This annual award is in memory of Margaret Smiles, honouring her dedication and contribution to Canberra's musical life, in particular the School of Music Community Choir, now known as the Llewellyn Choir. Margaret worked with the choir for many years, sharing her love and joy for music with its members. She is remembered for her passion, focus and commitment to nurturing singers, revelling in the vast-ranging repertoire of the choir. 

The Llewellyn Choir (TLC) is pleased to continue its support of the Margaret Smiles Prize, in memory of Margaret, TLC's first associate musician. One of Canberra's leading and longest-running choral groups, TLC enjoys a collaborative association with the ANU School of Music, offering extension opportunities to SoM students. TLC performs 3-4 times a year. New members are welcome. 

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Updated:  20 September 2023/Responsible Officer:  Head of School/Page Contact:  CASS Marketing & Communications