HIBERNIAN ORCHESTRA CONCERTO COMPETITION 2026
This is an open competition aimed at aspiring concerto soloists.
Entrants should be Irish or should be normally resident in Ireland. There are no age limits.
To apply for the competition, please submit a recording of yourself (with piano accompaniment) performing one movement from the concerto you wish to play with the Hibernian Orchestra (the “Orchestra”). A good-quality copy of the recording should be submitted (in mp3 or mp4 format) together with your Curriculum Vitae and a letter explaining your choice of concerto. You may list other works in your repertoire that you would be willing to perform. An entry fee of €40 applies, which should be paid at the time of application. Payment may be made by bank transfer, and account details will be made available when the other entry materials are received. At the time of transfer, please remember to include your name plus ‘ConComp’ as otherwise we will not be able to allocate the funds and your application will not be deemed complete.
The deadline for applications is Friday 31st July 2026.
The second (final) round of the competiton will take place on the morning of Sunday 27th September 2026 in the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and will be judged by a panel of assessors comprised of the Artistic Director of the Orchestra, the Leader of the Orchestra, the Competition Administrator, and an external adjudicator. A shortlist of finalists will be invited to perform their concerto in full with piano accompaniment before the panel. The accompanist must be sourced by the candidate at their own expense.
The winner will be chosen from the shortlist by the panel and their decision shall be final. In the event that there is no soloist who, in the opinion of the panel, meets the requisite standard for a solo performance with the Orchestra, the panel may, at their ultimate discretion, decide not to award the prize for that year.
The winner of this stage of the competition will be invited to give a concert performance of their chosen work with the Hibernian Orchestra in the 2026-2027 season, programming allowing.
The final choice of concerto will be made by agreement with the Artistic Director of the Hibernian Orchestra and should be appropriate to the venue and repertoire.
Further information, if required, can be sought by emailing hibsconcomp@gmail.com
Applications to be emailed to Joy Rice at hibsconcomp@gmail.com by 31st July 2026.