General information

The next competition is on 3, 4 and 7 March 2009.
Applications must be received by 1 December 2008.

It is essential that all candidates read this information before completing the application form.

Since 1991, when it made its first award to the Grieg Trio, The Parkhouse Award has been an important chamber music competition, helping ensembles of piano and strings vital support during the early stages of their career by presenting them in prestigious London concert halls. (See winners for past holders of the Award.)

Three concerts are provided over the course of two years to which those involved in the promotion of classical music in the UK are invited. The competition is open to ensembles living in the UK or overseas who have already assumed, or are ready to assume, all the responsibilities of a professional career and who can demonstrate that they have been performing together during the two years prior to the competition. Performance dates must be provided and a copy of one programme produced for a public concert.

The competition is biennial and the next is scheduled for March 2009 with auditions on 3 and 4 March, and the Finals Concert at Wigmore Hall on Saturday 7 March at 2.30pm. Applications must be received by 1 December 2008.

Requirements

Age limit

Applicants should be no more than 32 years of age at 3 March 2009, with aggregates as follows:

Copies of national identity cards or passports showing date of birth must be provided.

Stage 1 — Submission of completed application form to include CD recording

• Applicants must provide a fully completed form together with all enclosures by Monday 1 December 2008. Late entries will not be accepted unless arrangements have been made to this effect well before 1 December 2008. Communications received on 1 December 2008 requesting a late application will not be considered.
• A CD (not mini disc) which must not be edited and which must include two contrasting works is required. One of the works must be from the Classical period. If either of the works is a complete performance of a sonata, trio or quartet each movement must be presented as a separate track and clearly identified on the inlay sheet. Applicants will be informed by the end of January 2009 whether or not they have been selected for Stage 2, the live audition.
• The names of two referees, who must not be family members and who can vouch for your ensemble's suitability to enter the Award, must be provided. They will be contacted if necessary. Written references are not required.
• Entry fee £50 (fifty pounds sterling), not refundable. The preferred method of payment is by bank transfer with charges paid by the sender. Please contact the Award for account details. Cash or cheque payments of any denomination other than pounds sterling are not acceptable.
• Each competitor, or representative of an ensemble, by signing the application form agrees that the ensemble accepts all the requirements of the competition.
• Applications must be sent by post or courier.
• Travel expenses, costs of accommodation and rehearsal facilities are to be borne by the applicants.

Stage 2 — Live audition

Candidates who have been successful at Stage 1 will be required to play on 3 or 4 March 2009 at a venue in London. Two contrasting pieces are required, one of which must be from the Classical period. If you are playing a work that includes quarter tones you must indicate this on the application form and provide a score on audition day. Otherwise scores are not required. The repertoire must not be more than 13 minutes at the most. Please do not bring a page turner with you as one is provided.

Stage 3 — Finals Concert

Four ensembles will be chosen from the live auditions to perform at Wigmore Hall on Saturday 7 March 2009 at 2.30pm. Each ensemble performs for a maximum of 30 minutes and therefore the repertoire must be 28 minutes at the most in order to allow for tuning and breaks between pieces. The work(s) performed must be entirely different from those performed during Stage 2, the live audition. For example, if a movement of a sonata, trio or quartet is performed during Stage 2 you may not perform that movement or any other movement from the same work at Stage 3, the Finals Concert. A page turner will be provided, please do not bring your own.

Note: Candidates will be heard by different juries at the auditions and finals, but with the same chairman for both juries. Your performance at the audition will not be taken into account when the finals jury reach their decision. The decisions of either jury are final and are not open to discussion or correspondence.

• The Parkhouse Award reserves the right to allow any stage of the competition to be broadcast or televised.
• The winning ensemble will mention The Parkhouse award in all CVs and biographical notes.

The Award concerts

Three fully promoted concerts are provided and usually take place during the autumn of the year of the competition plus during spring and autumn of the following year. Thus, for the 2009 competition the concerts should take place in autumn 2009, spring and autumn 2010. Performance fees are not paid for the concerts in London promoted by The Parkhouse Award, but assistance is usually given with travel and accommodation, but this cannot be guaranteed.

In addition it may be possible to arrange further concerts, including the Shaldon Festival in Devon and Richmond Concert Society in Surrey. All arrangements concerning additional concerts will be made directly between the artists and the venue/Society. Fees will be paid by the promoter. The Parkhouse Award cannot be held responsible for any aspect of these engagements, including cancellation.

Application form

To download an application form please click here.