Concerto and Aria Competition

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.

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

Listen to previous winners

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2020 Concerto and Aria Competition
Sponsored by Dr. David Taylor

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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.
 

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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.

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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

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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

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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)

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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.

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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