About the Competition
Entry Deadline: January 31
The Florence Bowes is a biennial competition offered in odd-numbered years and in conjunction with the Lyell Gustin and Gordon C. Wallis competitions.
There are three categories of competition: Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy, and Composition.
The competition is open to students who have completed Grade 12 school requirements by June of the competition year.
The scholarship will be awarded as tuition to the music school or teacher of the student’s choice upon proof of their continuation of study in piano.
Rules & Regulations
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
- Coming soon!
Apply Online
Past Winners
- 2023 Jerry Hu (Performer)
Matthew Watchman (Pedagogy) - 2021 Alice Li (Performer)
Rebecca Thomas (Pedagogy) - 2019 Yolande Smith-Hanson (Performer)
- 2017 Jhena Dela Cruz, Saskatoon (Pedagogy)
- 2015 Eric Bews, Saskatoon, and Bradley Little, Regina (Performance)
- 2013 Maria Fuller, Earl Grey, (Performance)
Alyssa Thompson, Saskatoon, (Pedagogy, Honorable mention) - 2011 Meagan Milatz, Weyburn (Performance)
Christa Walters, Beechy (Pedagogy) - 2009 Nicole Mak, Saskatoon (Performance)
Karen King, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 2007 Samuel Deason, Saskatoon (Performance)
Bridget Martin, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 2005 James Coughlin, Assiniboia (Performance)
Mark Turner, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 2003 Christine Hanson, Regina (Performance)
Jodie Soulodre, Regina (Pedagogy) - 2002 No competition this year
- 2001 Erin Fracchia, Saskatoon (Performance, Honorable mention)
Celeste Bernakevitch, Saskatoon, (Pedagogy) - 2000 Augustine Mayuga Gonzales, Saskatoon (Performance)
Michael Langlois, Prince Albert (Pedagogy) - 1999 William Lewans, Saskatoon (Performance)
Rachelle Risling, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 1998 Thomas Yu, Saskatoon (Performance)
William Lewans, Saskatoon (Performance, Honorable mention)
Karen Sterner, Saskatoon (Pedagogy)
Michael Langlois, Prince Albert (Pedagogy, Honorable mention) - 1997 Stephen Runge, Regina (Performance)
William Lewans, Saskatoon (Performance, Honorable mention)
Donna Falconer, Regina (Pedagogy) - 1996 Susan Ouyang, Regina (Performance)
Barb Eriksson, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 1995 Allison Joynt, Saskatoon (Performance)
Kristin Dahlem, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 1994 Michael Angell, Regina ( Performance)
Lars Valmstead, Regina (Pedagogy) - 1993 Sarah Konecsni, Regina (Performance)
Katie Ormerod, Prince Albert (Pedagogy) - 1992 Deanne Mohr, Regina (Performance)
Bonnie Koshley-Nicholson, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 1991 Lesley Mctavish, Regina (Performance)
Deborah Buck, Saskatoon (Pedagogy)
William Richards, Saskatoon (Composition) - 1990 Cherith James, Moose Jaw (Performance)
Carol Haugrud, (Pedagogy) - 1989 Grant Wenaus, Regina (Performance)
Heather Ulrich, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 1988 Performance winner not awarded
Rodney Epp, Saskatoon (Pedagogy)
Sherry Gregor, Regina (Pedagogy) - 1987 Carol Bartel, Saskatoon (Performance)
Cheryl Acton, Saskatoon (Pedagogy)
Alanna Schuster, Southey (Pedagogy)
Malcolm Bell, Regina (Composition)
Albert Wong, Regina (Composition) - 1986 Daphne Leong, Saskatoon (Performance)
Bernadette Lang, Sasaktoon (Pedagogy)
Steven Wiesbrod, Regina (Composition) - 1985 Angeline Nostbakken, Saskatoon (Performance)
Lana Matity, Regina ( Pedagogy) - 1984 Marla Perkins, Regina (Performance)
Janice Elliott-Denike, Regina (Pedagogy) - 1983 Colette Forer, Regina (Performance)
Mary Jane Kliewer, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 1982 Audrey Andrist, Regina (Performance)
Lynn Ewing, Saskatoon (Pedagogy) - 1981 Guy Few, Saskatoon (Performance)
Christine Kachur, Saskatoon (Pedagogy)