The DAN School of Drama and Music’s 2023-24 Concerto Aria Competition features some of our top student performers. Vocalists compete by performing a selection of arias, and instrumentalists perform a movement from a concerto. This competition is held over two days: the first round of the competition will be held on Saturday, January 20 and is closed to the public. The top students then perform in the Finalist’s Concert on Sunday, January at 2:00 pm, which is free for anyone to attend. At the end of the competition, the Scholarship Committee meets immediately and returns to announce the winners. We hope you can join us for the Finalist’s Concert and enjoy performances by our talented students!
Application Information
Open to all Queen's University students currently enrolled in Applied Music (MUSC x20, x21, x24). Students must audition on their instrument of applied study. Please note that organists cannot apply. All graduating students entering this competition must be willing to return to Kingston to perform during the 2024/2025 academic year.
Prize: A performance with the Queen's Symphony Orchestra or Queen's Wind Ensemble
Regulations:
- It is preferable that the winning student take instrumental/voice lessons in the year that they perform with the Orchestra.
-
Normally, the performance piece is the same as the auditioning piece, unless determined otherwise by the artistic director of the orchestra in consultation with the student's instructor.
-
Students are encouraged to perform from memory, but this is not mandatory.
Repertoire:
Students must perform a maximum of 12 minutes. All music must be written for one soloist and orchestra; the orchestral reduction must be performed by a collaborative pianist for the audition (duets, double concertos, etc. are not allowed). There will be two pianos provided for the realization of works for piano and orchestra. It is the student's responsibility to arrange for a collaborative pianist.
Students may perform movements or arias from different works but it is generally assumed that instrumentalists perform one or more movements from the same work. Students may not repeat repertoire that they have performed in previous Concerto Aria competitions.
Dates:
- Elimination Rounds - The Rehearsal Hall at the Isabel
- Friday, January 19, 2024 - 7:30 - 9:00pm
- Saturday, January 20, 2024 - 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Finals - The Rehearsal Hall at the Isabel - Open to the Public
- Sunday, January 21, 2024 - 2:00pm
In the first round, students will perform for the Scholarship Committee. This round is closed to the public. Immediately following the first rounds, a list of finalists will be sent to the competitors. The Finals will be open to the public.
Do not hesitate to contact Dr. Pegley (pegleyk@queensu.ca) if you have any questions.
Application forms are available here. Students must list the works to be performed and the name of their collaborative pianist. The forms must be signed by the student's Applied Instructor and the appropriate Area Coordinator. Incomplete forms will not be accepted. The deadline for submission is 4:00 pm, Friday, December 1, 2023. Please return completed application forms to programs.danschool@queensu.ca or the main office in room 204 at Harrison-LeCaine Hall.