Applications Now Open for 2026 Whitworth Roach Classical Music Performance Competition

Applications for the 2026 Whitworth Roach Classical Music Performance Competition are now open. The finals will be held on Tuesday 13 October at 6pm, audience members can register here. All entrants must be available for Heats on Tuesday 7 October 2026.

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 $12,000 in prize money.

For many years, the ANU School of Music was enriched by the presence and generosity of Christine Roach. Although Christine passed away in January 2023, her legacy continues to inspire and support emerging musicians through the Whitworth Roach Competition, a national standards performance competition.

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 and compete for one of the following prizes.

First prize - $6,000 
Second prize - $3,000 
Third prize - $1,500 
People’s Choice prize - $1,500 
 
Applications open: Thursday 13 August 
Applications close: Friday 25 September 
Heats: Wednesday 7 October  
Finals: Tuesday 13 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 will close at 5pm on Friday 25 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 on Wednesday 7 October in the Larry Sitsky Recital Room - video submissions will not be accepted

• Four (4) entrants will be selected to perform in the finals on the evening of Tuesday 13 October

  >> APPLY HERE.
  
  Please note that the linked Conditions of Award list previous prize amounts. The 2026 prize amounts are those stated in the application.