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, 4pm | 8-10am, 1 May | 6-8pm, 12 May | Heats 10 minutes maximum Finals 20 minutes maximum |
| Ethel Osborn Prize | 24 April, 4pm | TBA | 6-8pm, 15 May | Heats 1 song/aria of choice Finals 3 contrasting songs/arias |
| Richard Pollett Prize | 24 April, 4pm | 10am-midday, 1 May | 6-8pm, 11 May | Heats 10 minutes maximum Finals 20 minutes maximum |
| Semester 2, 2026 | ||||
| Isolde Schaupp Memorial Prize for Percussion | 5pm 31 August | 1pm - 3pm 7 September | 7pm - 9pm 11 September | Heats 10 minutes maximum Finals 20 minutes maximum |
| Margaret Nickson Prize for Voice and Piano and Accompanists' Guild of Queensland Piano Accompaniment Prize | 5pm 31 August | 3pm - 5pm 8 October | 3pm - 5pm 15 October | Heats 1 Lied, Mélodie, Russian art song or Handel/Purcell Finals 3 of list above |
| O’Brien Family Prize for Wind and Brass | 5pm 31 August | 10am - 12pm 14 September | 3pm - 5pm 17 September | Heats 10 minutes maximum Finals 20 minutes maximum |
| Sleath String Performance Prize and Accompanists' Guild of Queensland Piano Accompaniment Prize | 5pm 31 August | 11am - 1pm 18 September | 3pm - 5pm 25 September | Heats 10 minutes maximum Finals 20 minutes maximum |
| 4MBS Musica Viva Sid Page Memorial Prize in Chamber Music | 5pm 31 August | 4pm - 6pm 25 September | 1pm- 2pm 8 October | Heats 10 minutes maximum Finals 20 minutes maximum |
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. |