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. *NEW* 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 info@rotaryc3.com 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* All participants’ primary teacher must be a Calgary music teacher who has primary residence in Calgary or teaches at an institution in Calgary. These lessons must take place in-person a minimum of twice per month.

5. *Updated* 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. 

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.

8. *NEW* 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. Once the 50 competition slots are full, any additional applicants will be placed on a waitlist. Waitlisted applicants will be called in order in the event that a competitor withdraws. Waitlisted applicants will not pay the application fee until and unless they are granted a competition slot.

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

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 info@rotaryc3.com.  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 info@rotaryc3.com for approval of non-standard works.

3. 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. If you are unsure of your selection, contact a member of the RC3 organization for clarification and approval.

4. Competitors are responsible to hire their own accompanist.

5. 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 may serve as one of the scores. Please pencil in the bar numbers at the top of each page to facilitate juror comments.

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

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

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

9. COMPETITORS AND ACCOMPANISTS must be prepared to perform at any time during the competition dates. No changes will be considered.

Expectations

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

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

3. 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 RC3 Sponsor recital(s) prior to the concert date. The work(s) played for these short performances are up to the winner.

4. 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 RC3 Sponsor recital(s).

5. Both Winners and Runners up will have an opportunity to perform for the Calgary Civic Symphony's Rising Stars Concert sponsor prior to the concert date. The work(s) played for this short performance is up to the performer.

Last Revised on Sept 26, 2025 

*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 (info@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 will 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 will appear in the program and other competition materials, marked as a “NO SHOW”, and may be announced during the program.

Last Revised on Sept 4, 2025 

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.

• Each participant will receive a written critique of his or her competition performance from each Juror.

• Performances are professionally recorded.  Competitors may purchase a copy of their performance for $40.

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 

• $1000 

• A trophy 

• 4 tickets to the Rising Stars Concert 

Each runner-up will receive the following prizes: 

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

• $250 

• A certificate 

• 4 tickets to the Rising Stars Concert

If your concerto is not on this list of accepted piano concerti, please email us at info@rotaryc3.com for a determination.  This list is not comprehensive and will be updated as inquiries are made.

Accepted Piano Concerti

• Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major

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

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

• Grieg, Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - 1st Movement

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

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

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

• Mozart, Concerto K. 467 in C Major - 1st Movement

• Mozart, Concerto K. 488 in A Major

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

• Ravel, Concerto in G Major

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

• Schumann, Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 - 1st Movement

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

NOT Accepted Piano Concerti

• J.S.Bach, Concerto in F Minor

• Polunin, Concertino in A Minor