The following scholarships and prizes require students to apply to take part in a performance or composition competition. Please see the individual scholarship page for more information about how to apply: competition dates may change as the year progresses.
UQ Concerto competition
The UQ Concerto Competition is administered by the School of Music. It is held prior to the commencement of Semester 1 each year. Applicants can view the page below for more information about eligibility and how to apply.
Performance Prizes
| Semester 1, 2026 | Application due | Heats | Finals | Competition rules |
| Burnett William Wendorff Memorial Prize for Classical Piano | 24 April | 9-11am, 1 May | 6-8pm, 12 May | Heat-10 min max Final- 20 min max Winner will be invited to perform in the prize winners concert |
| Ethel Osborn Prize | 24 April | 12-2pm, 6 May | 6-8pm, 15 May | Heat- 1 song/aria of choice Final- 3 contrasting songs/arias |
| Richard Pollett Prize | 24 April | 11am-1pm, 1 May | 6-8pm, 11 May | Heat-10 min max Final- 20 min max |
| Semester 2, 2026 | ||||
| Isolde Schaupp Memorial Prize for Percussion | TBA | TBA | TBA | Heat-10 min max Final- 20 min max Winner will be invited to perform in the prize winners concert |
| Margaret Nickson Prize for Voice and Piano and Accompanists' Guild of Queensland Piano Accompaniment Prize | TBA | TBA | TBA | Heat- 1 Lied, Mélodie, Russian art song or Handel/Haydn Final- 3 of list above Winner will be invited to perform int he prize winners concert |
| O’Brien Family Prize for Wind and Brass | TBA | TBA | TBA | Heat-10 min max Final- 20 min max Winner will be invited to perform in the prize winners concert |
| Sleath String Performance Prize and Accompanists' Guild of Queensland Piano Accompaniment Prize | TBA | TBA | TBA | Heat-10 min max Final- 20 min max Winner will be invited to perform in the prize winners concert |
| 4MBS Musica Viva Sid Page Memorial Prize in Chamber Music | TBA | TBA | TBA | Heat-10 min max Final- 20 min max Winner will be invited to perform in the prize winners concert |
Composition Prizes
| Semester 1, 2026 | Application due | Composition requirements |
| Percy Brier Memorial Prize in Composition | 5 June, 4pm | Work Type: Chamber opera or operatic scene Duration: 8–12 minutes Forces Available (maximum):
Composers may write for any subset of the above forces, but may not exceed them. Vocal writing may include solo, ensemble, or chorus-style passages within the maximum of 8 singers. Libretto must be either drawn from public domain texts or an original text created by the composer or a collaborating librettist (written permission must be provided). |
| Alumni Friends Reisner Prize for UQ Music Composition | 20 July, 4pm | Work Type: Original composition for Saxophone Ensemble Duration: 4–5 minutes Instrumentation (flexible within the following ranges):
The total ensemble size should fall within these parameters. Works should be concieved for student performers and be practical for rehearsal and performance within an educational setting. |