Information and Regulations
Eligibility
- This competition is for brass quintet: 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba.
- Brass players wishing to take part must be aged 18 – 30 at the time of the Competition, with a group average of no more than 28. Applications will therefore be accepted from those born on or after 20 July 1991.
- One change in membership of a participating group (from submission to Competition date) is permissible, if due to important professional or personal circumstances. Two changes in membership will be at the discretion of the Jury Chair.
- The Competition is open to competitors of any nationality.
Competition Process
- Selection of participating groups
The application form, completed in English, must be submitted by one named ‘lead’ member / contact for each brass ensemble online via the online entry form. Submissions will open at 12.00 noon GMT on Sunday 20 November 2020.
The application form must be supported by the following:
- A free choice video recording to last not more than 20 minutes to include: JS Bach: Chromatic Fugue in D minor BWV903 (Onyx Brass Publishing) or Mark Nightingale: Song for Rosie (Onyx Brass Publishing) plus one substantial original work for brass quintet. This can be a private YouTube (or equivalent) online video submission. Studio quality is not required, but the best possible sound format is advisable; each piece must be recorded in one complete take. The selection panel will comprise members of Onyx Brass (but not any who may be serving on the jury for the main competition).
- An up-to-date biography or resumé, in English, of the brass ensemble to a maximum of 250 words. The competition reserves the right to alter the biography should it be required in any publicity material.
- A photograph (jpeg in low and high resolution) for publicity purposes.
- Full scan of passports (photo page) for each quintet member must be sent through to PJIBEC if the quintet is selected to participate in the competition but date of birth will suffice for application purposes.
Application forms and supporting documents must be submitted online by 12.00 noon GMT on 21st March 2023. All successful applicants will be notified between 31st March 2023 2023.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Any questions about the application process can be directed to the project manager Sophie Steers@btinternet.com, or to the Artistic Director amos.miller@bcu.ac.uk
Competition at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC), Birmingham 10 – 16 July 2023
The selected groups will be invited to perform in Round One in Birmingham, on either 11 or 12 July.
Round One. RBC Recital Hall, times to be confirmed.
Tuesday 11 July
Wednesday 12 July
Followed by deliberation and announcement by the Jury on Wednesday 12 July, up to six groups will be selected to proceed to Round Two.
Semi-Final. RBC Bradshaw Hall. 14 July, times to be confirmed.
Followed by deliberation and announcement of finalists by the Jury, three groups will be selected by the Jury to perform in the Final Round.
Final Round. RBC Bradshaw Hall. 15 July, times to be confirmed.
Deliberation and announcement of awards by the Jury.
Showcase of winning groups.
- Throughout the Competition the Jury reserves the right to stop any performance that overruns the time limit.
- Free choice repertoire may be repeated in Rounds One and Two only, but must adhere to the Competition Requirements which follow.
- The Jury will be provided with copies of all stipulated repertoire, but competing groups must provide one copy of free choice repertoire in advance of Competition rounds.
- Groups must either introduce programmes verbally, and/or provide a brief programme note (printed in English) for each programme played.
Prizes
The Philip Jones Prize £7,500
The Marah Mahlowe Prize £5,000
The Founder’s Prize £2,500
In addition, the Lucerne Festival 2020 Debut Series, the Ludwigsburger Schloss Festspiele and the Wigmore Hall in London have expressed interest in hosting debut concerts by prizewinning groups.
Jury
The international jury will consist of:
Alan Thomas (trumpet) (Onyx Brass, Septura)
Annamia Larsson (horn) (Stockholm Chamber Brass)
Mayumi Shimizu (trombone) (SWR Symphony Orchestra, soloist and chamber musician)
Jens-Bjørn Larsen (tuba) (Royal Danish Brass)
Pasi Pirinen, Jury Chair (Head of Brass, Sibelius Academy, Principal Trumpet Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra)
The Jury’s decision is final and no further discussion or correspondence can be entered into.
Further information:
Amos Miller, Artistic Director amos.miller@bcu.ac.uk
Sophie Steers, Project Manager contactpjbe@gmail.com
Further information:
Amos Miller, Artistic Director amos.miller@bcu.ac.uk
Sophie Steers, Project Manager sophiesteers@btinternet.com