Florence Bowes Memorial Competition

All Competitors

• Failure to comply with regulations will result in disqualification.
• The student must be a regular student of an SRMTA member in good standing.
• The entrant must have completed Grade 12 requirements by June of the competition year.
• Time limits indicated below are for the total performance and therefore include the time between selections.
• Competitors must perform from memory.
• Competitors must bring original copies of music for the adjudicator. Photocopied music will not be accepted.
• Competitors are responsible for their own expenses.
• The adjudicator’s decision is final. The adjudicator may withhold monetary awards or choose to assign an Honorable Mention without granting a reward.
• An entrant may not enter both the performance and pedagogy sections in the same year but may enter the composition and performance or pedagogy section in the same year.
• Competitors must play the program as submitted.
• Previous winners are not eligible.
• If a performer is entering the Florence Bowes AND either the Gordon C. Wallis or Lyell Gustin competition, performers must present an entirely different program.

Piano Performance Competitors

• Present a public performance not to exceed 50 minutes.
• Program must include:
  • a complete sonata or equivalent work;
  • one or more contrasting works from the standard repertoire.
• All works are to be played in their entirety.
• The entrants must provide the adjudicator with copies of the edition of the music from which they are performing.

Piano Pedagogy Competitors

• Present a public performance not to exceed 40 minutes.
• Program must include:
  • a complete sonata or equivalent work;
  • one or more contrasting works from the standard repertoire.
• All works are to be played in their entirety.
• The entrants must provide the adjudicator with copies of the edition of the music from which they are performing.

Pedagogy competitors will undergo a 15 to 20-minute interview by the adjudicator to assess the competitor’s interest in, knowledge of, and practical experience with piano pedagogy. The candidate will answer pedagogical questions using examples from Level 5 – 8 pieces representing different musical periods. The candidate should provide concise, practical corrections and solutions. The performance and interview will be weighted equally.

Composition Competitors

• The applicant must submit two or three compositions, chosen from the following categories: vocal or choral, solo instrumental or ensemble, or electronic, that are representative of their work. All must be original compositions, 3-15 minutes long, with accompanying program notes.
• Multi-movement compositions are permitted, but the composition would still be considered one of the required three compositions
• Manuscripts must be transcribed electronically and should be in .pdf format.
• The composer’s name must NOT appear anywhere on the score.
• Competitors are welcome to include links to audio or video recordings of their compositions.
• The composer’s name and/or image must NOT appear anywhere on the audio or video recordings of their compositions.
• The Composition Competition will be adjudicated via a Zoom call. If the competitor wins First Prize, they will be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony.