2027 Competition Guidelines

Please note changes to this year's competition are indicated by *Updated* and/or *NEW*.

Eligibility

1. This competition is open to AMATEUR competitors defined as a music student who has neither an agent nor manager and who does not charge a fee for performances as a soloist with the competition instrument.

2. The competition is open to applicants who are 18 years or under on January 1st of the competition year.

3. Competitors are welcome to play any instrument of their choice; this competition is NOT for vocalists. If the instrument (excluding piano) is difficult to transport, or if you need any special accommodations, you are expected to contact the Competition Director at *NEW* rc3info@calgarycivicsymphony.ca to discuss these needs and to determine whether your application can be accepted. Special accommodations must be raised to the Competition Director’s attention prior to the application deadline or they will not be considered. All decisions will be at the sole discretion of the Competition Director. Performers are responsible for any costs associated with moving or renting their instrument.

4. *Updated* The intent of this competition is to serve students in the Calgary area.  All participants must reside in the Calgary area AND participants’ primary teacher must be a Calgary area music teacher who has primary residence in the Calgary area or teaches at an institution in Calgary.  These lessons must take place in-person a minimum of twice per month.  Exceptions, if any, are at the sole discretion of the Competition Director and are final.

5. Students who have taken lessons or coaching with any of the competition Jurors within the previous 12 months prior to the competition must provide this information in the application.  *Updated* Failure to provide accurate and complete information may result in disqualification from this year’s competition.

6. Applicants must perform a work that is at a minimum of RCM Grade X (ten) difficulty.

7. A competitor may win a maximum of two times but after each win must skip one competition year before re-entering whether with the same instrument or another.

The final decision regarding the eligibility of a competitor lies with the RC3 Competition Director.

*NEW* Any competitor found to be in violation of any eligibility criterion before, during, or after the competition, may be subject to consequences, including but not limited to forfeiture of their competition slot, revocation of any prize awarded, and removal from the winner’s registry.  

Although we cannot fully verify all applications before of the competition, all eligibility criteria remain enforceable after winners and runners-up have been announced.  Competitors are strongly encouraged to disclose any circumstances that may affect their eligibility at the time of application so that potential issues can be reviewed and addressed in advance.

Rules

1. A competitor may enter with different instruments but will be considered a winner with only one instrument.

2. Participants will present ONE movement of a work for Solo Instrument and Orchestra (typically the 1st or the last of a concerto; no slow movements), or a SHORT one-movement work. The work MUST BE a minimum Grade X difficulty.  If you are unsure of your selection, contact *NEW* rc3info@calgarycivicsymphony.ca for clarification and approval.  Note:

   • If the submitted work is NOT at least Grade X (ten), the applicant will not be assigned a performance slot, and the application fee will not be returned. 

   • Pianists, please see Attention Pianists: Accepted Concerti section at the bottom of this page for additional details on accepted pieces. 

   • Please contact *NEW* rc3info@calgarycivicsymphony.ca for approval of non-standard works.

   • The work played at the competition must be able to be performed as a stand alone work with orchestra as part of a larger concert.

3. Competitors are responsible for providing their own accompanist.

4. You MUST provide three (3) scores (one for each judge) ALL showing solo AND orchestral reduction. One (1) of the scores must be an original.  A registered digital copy (on your device) may serve as one of the scores. Please pencil in the bar numbers at the top of each page to facilitate juror comments. *NEW* Please DO NOT bring full orchestral scores.  If you have questions about what is needed, please ask.  If you arrive with fewer than 3 scores, you will be visiting a nearby store to make copies and we will do our best to preserve a competition slot for you, however, it is not guaranteed.

5. All selections must be performed from memory for both the competition and concert performances.

6. Winners must perform the competition selection in the final concert. No substitutions allowed.

7. It is MANDATORY that winners be available on request for all rehearsals as scheduled by the orchestra.

8. *Updated* COMPETITORS AND ACCOMPANISTS may be scheduled to perform at any time during the competition dates. All scheduling accommodations will be made at the sole discretion of the Competition Director, and all decisions will be final.

*NEW* Application Cap

1. A maximum of 50 competitors will be allowed.  Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with the application time being the time when BOTH the application form AND PAYMENT have been received (with some exceptions, see #4).  Please note that your application will not be considered complete until the registration fee is paid. 

2. Once the 50 competition slots are full, any additional applicants will be placed on a waitlist.  If a competition slot becomes available, waitlisted applicants will be called in order of their place in queue.  

3. If you are waitlisted and are not later offered a spot, your competition fee will be refunded.  If you are offered a spot and choose not to take it, your competition fee will NOT be refunded.

4. If your application requires approval for your chosen piece or movement, the following applies:

• • If payment is received within 5 calendar days of approval being granted, your original form submission timestamp will determine your place in the queue.

  • If payment is received more than 5 calendar days after approval, the payment timestamp will determine your place in the queue.

  • If you choose to pay before a determination is made, and approval is not granted, your payment will NOT be refunded.

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Last Revised on Oct 10, 2026.

Please note changes to this year's competition are indicated by *Updated* and/or *NEW*.

*Updated* Expectations of Winners and Runners 

1. Both Winners and Runners up must provide a professional quality picture and biography within 2 weeks after the competition.

2. Winners will perform their competition selection with the Calgary Civic Symphony as part of the Civic's Seasonal programming in the Jack Singer Concert Hall at Werklund Centre (formerly Arts Commons) in Calgary. The winners are expected to: 

   • Perform the competition selection in the final concert. No substitutions allowed.  Both performances must be from memory.

   • Attend all rehearsals as agreed upon with the conductor

   • Perform at other recital(s) prior to the concert date. The work(s) played for these short performances are up to the winner.

3. Runners up will perform in a recital prior to the concert, in the lobby of the Jack Singer Concert Hall. They will also be requested to perform at other recital(s) (optional).

4. Winners are expected to promote their performance and contribute to ticket sales for the Rising Stars concert.

Barring extenuating circumstances, failure to meet performance obligations may result in any or all elements of the prize being rescinded, including being struck from the winner’s roster on the RC3 website.  All decisions will be at the sole discretion of the Competition Director and are final. If a winner is struck, the first runner up will take their place.  If a runner up is struck, the next runners-up will advance one position.

Last Revised on Oct 9, 2026.

Please note changes to this year's competition are indicated by *Updated* and/or *NEW*.

Withdrawals

If a competitor would like to withdraw from the competition, they must follow this process:

1. The competitor or their parent must e-mail the Competition Director (*Updated* director@rotaryc3.com) stating the intent to withdraw. While teachers flagging that a competitor intends to withdraw is appreciated, teachers may not withdraw a competitor’s application, we must receive notice from the competitor or parent themself.

2. Complete the withdrawal form (will be provided upon receipt of the withdrawal e-mail), which will ask you to provide your reason for withdrawing. The intent of this question is to understand how to best support current and future competitors, and to inform competition planning. This reason will not impact your relationship with the RC3. You may be contacted for additional information. 

3. You will receive confirmation from the Competition Director that your withdrawal has been processed. Your application fee will not be refunded.

If you withdraw 30 or more days prior to the first date of the competition, your name will not appear in the program and other competition materials.

If you withdraw 14 or more days and fewer than 30 days prior to the first date of the competition, your name may appear in the program and other competition materials marked as “WITHDRAWN”.

If you withdraw fewer than 14 days prior to the first date of the competition, your name may appear in the program and other competition materials, marked as a “NO SHOW”, and may be announced during the program.

Last Revised on Oct 9, 2026

The jury will select a maximum of four (4) winners, based on:

• individual merit, 

• their ability to play with orchestra in a large performance hall,

• their musicianship, and 

• performance etiquette 

Winners will not be selected for: 

• selecting a particularly demanding work, 

• potential, 

• instrumental variety, or 

• the work performed or Rising Stars programming. 

Jury observations will be based on the live performance and no recordings shall be consulted to inform the jury’s decision. Up to four winners and four runners-up may be chosen.  If fewer than four performers are deemed ready, then fewer than four will be chosen. Winners are announced alphabetically and are not assigned a placed finish.  In the event a winner is not able to perform at the Rising Stars Concert, the first runner up will take their position.  For that reason, runners-up are placed.

Competition Results

• A maximum of four (4) winners will be selected. 

• A maximum of four (4) runners up will be selected.

• The decision of the Jury is final and may not be contested.

Prizes

Each winner will receive the following prizes: 

• The opportunity to rehearse and perform with the Calgary Civic Symphony at the Rising Stars Concert at the Jack Singer Concert Hall

• Other performance opportunities (e.g., ProArts)

• A copy of their competition recording (those who pre-purchased their recordings will be reimbursed)

• 4 tickets to the Rising Stars Concert

• $1000

• A trophy

• A place on our Past Winners site, where your name, photo, and performance recordings will be displayed in perpetuity.

Each runner-up will receive the following prizes: 

• Performance opportunities including the pre-concert recital for the Calgary Civic Symphony’s Rising Stars concert.

• 2 tickets to the Rising Stars Concert

• $250

• A certificate

• A place on our Past Winners site, where your name will be displayed in perpetuity.

If your concerto is not on this list of accepted piano concerti, please email us at *NEW* rc3info@calgarycivicsymphony.ca for a determination.  This list is not comprehensive and will be updated as inquiries are made.

Accepted Piano Concerti

• Bach, Concerto in D minor, BWV 1052

• Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15

• Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, Op. 19

• Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37

• Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E Flat Major, Op. 73

• Brahms, Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15

• Chopin, Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11

• Chopin, Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21

• Chopin, Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op. 22

• Galynin, Concerto in C Major

• Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue

• Gershwin, Concerto in F Major

• Grieg, Concerto in A minor, Op. 16

• Haydn, Piano Concerto No. 11 in D Major, Hob. XVIII/11

• Kabalevsky, Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Major, Op. 50

• Liszt, Hungarian Fantasy

• Liszt, Concerto No. 1 in E Flat Major, S. 124

• Liszt, Concerto No. 2 in A Major, S. 125

• Mozart, Concerto K. 246 in C Major

• Mozart, Concerto K. 271 in E Flat Major

• Mozart, Concerto K. 414 in A Major

• Mozart, Concerto K. 415/387b in C Major

• Mozart, Concerto K. 449 in E Flat Major – 1st Movement

• Mozart, Concerto K. 453 in G Major

• Mozart, Concerto K. 459 in F Major – 1st Movement

• Mozart, Concerto K. 466 in D minor

• Mozart, Concerto K. 467 in C Major

• Mozart, Concerto K. 488 in A Major

• Mozart, Concerto K. 491 in C minor

• Mozart, Concerto K. 595 in B Flat Major

• Mendelssohn, Capriccio Brillant in B minor, Op. 22

• Prokofiev, Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26

• Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 1 in F Sharp minor, Op. 1

• Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

• Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30

• Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Minor, Op. 40

• Ravel, Concerto in G Major

• Rollin, Concerto Romantique

• Saint-Saens, Piano Concerto No. 2 in G. Minor, Op. 22

• Saint-Saens, Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, Op. 103

• Schumann, Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 – 3rd Movement

• Scriabin, Piano Concerto in F Sharp Minor, Op. 20

• Shostakovich, Concerto in F Major, Op. 102

• Stamitz, Concerto in F Major

NOT Accepted Piano Concerti

• J.S.Bach, Concerto in F Minor

• Polunin, Concertino in A Minor

You will be asked to provide your consent to the following media release in your application form:

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I hereby agree and give my permission for the Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition (RC3), the Calgary Civic Symphony (CIVIC) and the Rotary Club of Calgary (RCC) to record, film, photograph, audiotape, livestream, or videotape my/my child’s name, image, and performance (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Works”) and to display, publish or distribute these Works for the purpose of publishing, posting on the RC3, Civic and RCC websites, posting on social media sites and/or for broadcasting on television or radio as determined by the RC3/CIVIC/RCC. 

I hereby waive any right to approve the use of these Works now or in the future, whether the use is known to me or unknown to me, and I waive any right to any royalties related to the use of these Works. I understand the Works may appear in electronic form on the Internet or in other publications outside of the RC3/CIVIC/RCC’s control. I agree that I will not hold the RC3/CIVIC/RCC responsible for any harm that may arise from such unauthorized reproduction. 

EXTERNAL MEDIA:

I also understand that external media organizations may attend RC3/CIVIC/RCC events or request information of my child. I give permission for my/my child’s name, image, and performance to be photographed, filmed, audiotaped, or videotaped for the purpose of being published and/or broadcast on-line, on television or radio as it relates to the Rotary Calgary Concerto Competition (RC3). 

CONSENT FOR RELEASE:

I have read this RC3 Media Release Consent Form and I AGREE that I/my child may participate in C3/CIVIC/RCC events as described above, and that I/my child may participate in media events that may be published or broadcast by organizations external to the C3/CIVIC/RCC. 

I fully understand the contents and meaning of this release. I also understand that I am free to contact the RC3/CIVIC/RCC with any questions regarding this release. If you have any questions, please contact the RC3 committee at rc3info@calgarycivicsymphony.ca