Every two years, orchestra@uwaterloo holds a Concerto and Aria Competition that is open to University of Waterloo students and recent graduates, and is judged by a panel of professional musicians. Winners perform as soloists with the orchestra in a public concert.
The next Concerto and Aria Competition will be held on February 1, 2025 (tentative date) at Conrad Grebel University College. Both singers and Instrumentalists are welcome to enter. Further details will be posted in January of 2024.
Eligibility
- The competition is open to instrumentalists and singers registered as full-time students at the University of Waterloo
- Recent graduates may also apply - see application form for details
- Joint applications with repertoire for multiple soloists are encouraged
- Previous winners are not eligible
- A refundable deposit is required
- If you have questions, please email Angelica Allen from the Music Office.
Prizes
- The winner of the competition will perform their complete repertoire submission as guest soloist in a public concert with the orchestra
- In the case of a tie, both winners will be awarded a concert appearance as guest soloist
- Second-place winners may be chosen at the discretion of the jury and also be awarded a solo opportunity
Application Form
Listen to previous winners
2023 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by Dr. David Taylor
Winner: Catherine He, Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, by Frederic Chopin
2nd Place: Ryan Yang, Mozart's clarinet concerto in A minor
3rd Place: Julian Dominguez-Schatz, with Griegg's Piano Concerto in A minor
Videos will be available soon.
2020 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by Dr. David Taylor
Winner: Ashley Yip, violin
Ashley performed Wieniawski Violin concerto no. 2 in D minor.
Finalist: Robert Choi, cello
Robert performed Dvorak Cello Concerto Op. 104.
Finalist runner up: Garnet Zhao, piano
Garnet performed Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor.
2018 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by Dr. David Taylor
Winner: Eric Xi Xin Liang, piano
Eric performed the Brahm's 2nd piano concerto on April 4, 2019 in the orchestra concert. Recording link
Second Place tie: Joanna Chu, piano Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
Omer Strumpf, cello Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor
Omer Strumpf performed the Elgar Cello concerto at the Fall 2018 concert. Recording link
Joanna Chu's performance schedule will be posted at a later date.
2016 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by Phyllis and James Forsyth
Winner: Sojung Park, piano
Sojung will perform Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto with orchestra@uwaterloo on Thursday March 31, 2016.
Second Prize: Fred Xu, violin
Fred will perform Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with orchestra@uwaterloo on Thursday December 1, 2016.
Second Prize: George Fan, saxophone
George will perform Glazunov's Saxophone Concerto with orchestra@uwaterloo on Thursday March 30, 2017.
2014 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by David Taylor
Winner: Jennifer Roloff, oboe
Jennifer performed Richard Strauss’ Oboe Concerto with orchestra@uwaterloo on April 3, 2014
2012 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by Phyllis and Jim Forsyth
Winner: Andrew Song, violin
Andrew performed Wieniawski's Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor with orchestra@uwaterloo on March 29, 2012.
Winner: Nat Leung, piano
Nat will perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor with orchestra@uwaterloo on November 29, 2012
2010 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by Professor David Taylor
Winner: Taylor Cao, piano
Taylor performed Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor with orchestra@uwaterloo on April 1, 2010.
Second Prize: Edward Cho, piano and cello
On December 2, 2010, Edward performed excerpts from two concerti with orchestra@uwaterloo:
- Edvard Grieg, Piano Concerto (1st movement)
- Edward Elgar, Cello Concerto (third and fourth movements)
2008 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by Phyllis and Jim Forsyth
Winner: Taylor Wang, piano
Taylor performed Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 (I. Maestoso) with orchestra@uwaterloo on April 3, 2008.
Winner: Martin Walker, flute
Martin performed Mozart's Flute Concert in G, K. 313 with orchestra@uwaterloo in Fall 2008.
2006 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by Professor David Taylor
First Prize: Alan Li, piano
Alan performed Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 with orchestra@uwaterloo on March 23, 2006.
Second Prize: Jeffrey Quilliam, clarinet
Jeffrey performed Mozart's Clarinet Concerto with orchestra@uwaterloo on November 30, 2006.
Second Prize: Wallace Wu, violin
Wallace performed Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with orchestra@uwaterloo on March 22, 2007.
Finalists: Jonathan Au, Amanda Kind, Dane Wendell, Sarah Widmeyer