Parkhouse Award, International chamber music competition

General information

Applications must be received by 1 December 2012.

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 with 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 regularly during 2011 and 2012. Performance dates must be provided and a copy of one programme produced for a public concert.

Requirements

Age limit

Applicants should be no more than 32 years of age on 1 December 2012, 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 Wednesday 1 December 2012. Late entries will not be accepted unless arrangements have been made to this effect well before 1 December 2012. Communications received on 1 December 2012 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 trio or quartet each movement must be presented as a separate track and clearly identified on the inlay card. Applicants will be informed by the end of January 2013 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. Please do not send written references.
• 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 (NB: if using a courier please contact the office for the direct postal address).
• Travel expenses, costs of accommodation and rehearsal facilities are to be borne by the applicants.

Stage 2 — Live audition, 16 or 17 April 2013, at the Royal College of Music, Price Consort Rd, London SW7 2BS

Candidates who have been successful at Stage 1 will be required to play on 16 or 17 April 2013 between 10am and 6pm. 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 for the jury. 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 Saturday 20 April 2013 at Wigmore Hall, London W1H 2BP from 1.30pm

Four ensembles will be chosen from the live auditions. 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. Two works are required and must be entirely different from those performed during Stage 2, the live audition. For example, if a movement of a 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 reaches its 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 2013 competition the concerts should take place in autumn 2013, spring and autumn 2014. 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.

Application form

An application form will be available in 2012