2027 Competition Rules
1. WHO CAN COMPETE
The 2027 competition is open to instrumental musicians who meet all of the following criteria:
1.1 Age
Applicants must be under 24 years of age as of 1 December 2026.
1.2 Status
Applicants must be New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, or international students studying in Otago or Southland during the 2026 or 2027 academic year.
1.3 Residency
Applicants must:
• currently reside in the Otago or Southland region and have done so for at least one year prior to the preliminary round; or
• be residing in the Otago or Southland region during the year of the competition.
Musicians who have relocated from Dunedin over the summer remain eligible, provided they resided in Otago or Southland for the full 2026 school or university academic year.
Applicants intending to reside in Ōtepoti Dunedin or Southland in 2027 must provide proof of enrolment at a secondary or tertiary institution prior to the preliminary rounds (March 2027).
1.4 Previous winners
Applicants must not have previously won the competition.
1.5 Additional conditions
• Previous finalists who have not won the competition may reapply but must perform a different work, or different movements from the same work.
• Applicants wishing to compete on more than one instrument must submit separate applications for each instrument.
• Duos must apply as a single application.
2. APPLICATION DATES
Applications open on 2 September 2026 and must be received by 2 December 2026.
3. APPLICATION FEE
An entry fee of $100 is payable when an application is lodged.
Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Committee, subject to availability.
4. ELIGIBLE REPERTOIRE
Competitors may nominate:
• a complete concerto or a work for soloist and orchestra (not necessarily titled “concerto”);or
• one or more complete movements from a concerto or work for soloist and orchestra.
4.1 Duration
There is no fixed time limit.
Competitors are encouraged to select repertoire of an appropriate scope and level, taking into account practical considerations of performance and presentation.
While there is no requirement to perform a complete concerto, competitors selecting part of a work should ensure that their chosen movement(s) are of sufficient scope and substance to stand alongside a complete concerto in a final concert setting.
4.2 Suitability of repertoire
The Dunedin Concerto Committee reserves the right to decline any work deemed unsuitable. This includes works with unusual complexity, large or impractical orchestration, or those that incur excessive costs for parts or performance royalties.
If a work is declined, the competitor may select an alternative work or withdraw their application and receive a refund.
4.3 Changes to repertoire
Once an entry has been accepted, competitors may not change their nominated work. However, movements selected for the preliminary round may be changed up to 10 January.
4.4 Submission of music
A scanned PDF copy of the piano reduction must be submitted with the application.
4.5 Advice to applicants
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Competition Administrator in advance with any queries regarding these rules or the suitability of a work.
5. PRELIMINARY ROUND
5.1 Dates and venue
The preliminary sessions will be held from Friday 5 March to Sunday 7 March 2027 at Marama Hall, University of Otago, or at a venue to be confirmed. The number of sessions will depend on the number of entries received.
5.2 Performance requirements
Competitors are required to perform the full version of their chosen work with piano accompaniment. Cuts to orchestral tutti sections may be made at the discretion of the performer and accompanist.
5.3 Copyright requirements
For works under copyright (including specific editions), an original copy must be presented to the Administrator prior to performance. For digital editions, proof of purchase is required.
5.4 Scheduling and attendance
Competitors will be notified of their allocated day and time at least four weeks prior to the preliminary round.
No changes to the order of performance will be permitted, except in unforeseen or exceptional circumstances. In the event of late withdrawals, minor adjustments to performance times may be made within the same day.
Competitors are required to report to the reception area at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled performance time.
5.5 Semifinal recall session
Depending on the number of entries, a semifinal recall session may be held on the Sunday evening.
5.6 Selection of finalists
At the conclusion of the preliminary round, and at the discretion of the adjudicators, three finalists will be selected to perform in the final with orchestra in a public concert.
6. ACCOMPANISTS
6.1 Provision of accompanists
Competitors may provide their own accompanist. Alternatively, an accompanist will be allocated by the Dunedin Concerto Competition.
6.2 Rehearsal arrangements
A 30-minute rehearsal with the assigned accompanist will be scheduled earlier in the week of the preliminary round at Marama Hall, University of Otago, or at a venue to be confirmed.
6.3 Fees
Payment of the accompanist is the responsibility of the competitor.
6.4 Attendance
Competitors are required to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to their allocated rehearsal time to ensure a punctual start.
6.5 List of accompanists
A list of approved accompanists will be provided in due course.
7.FINAL ROUND
7.1 Date and venue
The Finalists’ Concert will be held on Saturday 1 May 2027 at the Dunedin Town Hall.
7.2 Session with conductor
Each finalist will receive a one-hour session with the conductor. This session will include the finalist’s accompanist and may be attended by the finalist’s teacher or one additional person.
7.3 Rehearsals with orchestra
Finalists will be scheduled for:
• one rehearsal with the orchestra in Hanover Hall in the days preceding the concert; and
• a dress rehearsal in the Dunedin Town Hall on the day of the concert.
Exact rehearsal times will be confirmed closer to the event.
7.4 Individual practice
All finalists will be allocated one hour of individual practice time in the Dunedin Town Hall on the day prior to the concert.
On the day of the performance, instrumentalists will be allocated 30 minutes, and pianists one hour, to familiarise themselves with the piano.
Up to two additional people may attend practice sessions, subject to prior notification and venue requirements.
7.5 Observation of rehearsals
Finalists may attend and observe orchestra rehearsals prior to their scheduled rehearsal.
7.6 Order of performance
The order of performance in the Finalists’ Concert will be determined at the discretion of the Concerto Competition Committee and the conductor.
7.7 Audio and video recordings
Audio and video recordings will be provided to each finalist for personal use. The terms governing ownership and permitted use will be communicated to finalists in due course.
8. PRIZES
8.1 Main Prizes
• 1st Prize: $10,000
• 2nd Prize: $5,000
• 3rd Prize: $3,000
8.2 Withdrawal of finalists and eligibility for prizes
Only finalists who perform in the Finalists’ Concert will be eligible for prizes and official placing.
A finalist who withdraws, including due to illness or injury, will retain finalist status but will not be eligible for placing or prize money.
At the discretion of the adjudicators, a special award (not a placing) may be made in such circumstances.
The Dunedin Concerto Competition Committee reserves the right to invite a replacement finalist, where feasible, or to proceed with fewer finalists.
8.3 Additional prizes
Additional prizes will be awarded to competitors not in the final. These awards will be made at the discretion of the adjudicators, based on artistic merit.
Finalists are not eligible for category prizes.
Prize amounts for instrumental categories will be announced in due course.
9. ADJUDICATORS
9.1 Appointment of adjudicators
The selection and number of adjudicators for all stages of the competition are at the sole discretion of the Dunedin Concerto Competition Committee.
9.2 Communication
Competitors must not communicate with the adjudicators at any stage of the competition.
9.3 Decisions
All decisions of the adjudicators are final and not subject to appeal.
9.4 Unavailability of adjudicators
In the event that one or more adjudicators are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to travel disruption or illness, the Dunedin Concerto Competition Committee reserves the right to implement alternative adjudication arrangements.
These may include remote adjudication via video conferencing or the appointment of suitably qualified replacement adjudicators.
If two adjudicators are unavailable, the remaining adjudicator—provided they were involved in the preliminary round and are familiar with the finalists—may serve as the sole adjudicator for the final. Where possible, remote consultation may be used to support the adjudication process.
All decisions made under these circumstances shall be final.
10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
10.1 Liability
The Dunedin Concerto Competition accepts no responsibility for any accident, loss, or injury sustained by any competitor or to their property, whether arising from negligence or otherwise, at any time in relation to the competition.
As a condition of entry, all competitors agree to release the Dunedin Concerto Competition from any and all liability.
10.2 Relationship
Nothing in these rules shall be deemed to create an employer–employee relationship between the Dunedin Concerto Competition and any competitor.
10.3 Competition cancellation
In the event that fewer than 10 entries are received, the Dunedin Concerto Competition reserves the right to cancel the competition.
