Competitions

  • First Prize: $4,000 | Second Prize: $2,000
    Sponsored by Flutes & Flutists

    2023 Winners: David Silva, First Prize and Jessica Scott, Second Prize

    First Round (video) - 3 works required

    Closing date: Friday 23rd June, 2023

    Panel: Geoffrey Collins, James Kortum, Paula Rae, Elizabeth Pring, Margaret Crawford

    8 Semifinalists will be announced on Sunday 30th July, 2023

    Repertoire - First Round (unaccompanied)

    G. Telemann - Any of the 12 Fantasias without repeats

    AND

    R. Meale - Melisande for solo flute

    AND

    S. Karg-Elert - Sonata Appassionata

    Semifinal Round - 2 works required

    Friday 29 September, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

    Panel : Geoffrey Collins, James Kortum, Paula Rae, Elizabeth Pring, Margaret Crawford

    A maximum of 4 finalists will be chosen

    Repertoire - Semifinal Round

    R. Edwards - Nura for Flute and Piano. Prepare: Mvmt 2 - Ocean Idyll

    AND

    F. Schubert - Variations on “Trockne Blumen” Prepare: Introduction, Theme, Variations 1, 3, 5, 7 without repeats

    Final Round - 2 works required to total 20 minutes

    Saturday 30th September, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

    Panel: Geoffrey Collins, James Kortum, Paula Rae, Elizabeth Pring, Margaret Crawford

    Repertoire - Final Round

    S. Ran - East Wind

    AND

    S. Prokofiev - Sonata Op. 94 for flute and piano

    Mvmts 3 and 4

    OR

    E. Schulhoff - Sonata for flute and piano

    Entire work

    For your convenience, all the repertoire for the competitions can be found at Syrinx Music.

  • First Prize: $2,000 | Second Prize: $1,000
    Sponsored by Flutes & Flutists and Altus Flutes

    2023 Winners: Samuel de Kroon, First Prize and Ella Zhang, Second Prize

    First Round (video) - 2 works required

    Closing date: Friday 23rd June, 2023

    Panel: Ewa Kowalski, Mary-Anne Blades, Eliza Shephard

    4 finalists will be announced on Sunday 30th July, 2023.

    Repertoire - First Round

    CPE Bach - Sonata in A minor Wq. 132

    Mvmt 1 only

    AND

    Christine Draeger – Blues Sicilienne for flute and piano

    Final Round - 2 works required

    Sunday 1st October, 2023

    Panel: Ewa Kowalski, Mary-Anne Blades, Eliza Shephard

    Repertoire - Final Round

    Alex Manton – Streets of Spain for solo flute

    AND

    Poulenc - Sonata

    Mvmts 2 and 3

    For your convenience, all the repertoire for the competitions can be found at Syrinx Music.

  • First Prize: $2,000 or a Burkart Legacy Piccolo valued up to $7,295 (prize winner’s choice)
    Second Prize: $1,000 or a Burkart Resona Piccolo valued up to $5,195 (prize winner’s choice)
    Sponsored by Burkart Flutes & Piccolos

    2023 Winners: Adrienne Hanslow, First Prize and Maria Hincapie Duque, Second Prize

    First Round (video) - 3 works required

    Closing date: Friday 23rd June, 2023

    Panel: Michael Waye, Diane Berger, Andrew Macleod

    6 Semifinalists will be announced on Sunday 30th July, 2023

    Repertoire - First Round

    Vivaldi - Piccolo Concerto in C Major RV 443 with piano accompaniment

    Mvmt 1

    AND

    Persichetti - Parable for Solo Piccolo (No. 12)

    AND

    Edwards - Ulpirra for solo piccolo (version in 3 sharps)

    Semifinal Round - 2 works required

    Saturday 30 September, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

    Panel: Michael Waye, Diane Berger, Andrew Macleod

    A maximum of 4 finalists will be chosen

    Repertoire - Semifinal Round

    Vivaldi Piccolo Concerto in C Major RV 443

    Mvmts 2 and 3

    AND

    David Loeb Six Preludes (vol 1) Studies on East Asian Pipes for solo

    Final Round - 3 works required

    Sunday 1st October, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

    Panel: Michael Waye, Diane Berger, Andrew Macleod

    Repertoire - Final Round

    Telemann Fantasie in E Major TWV 40:10 from Twelve Flute Fantasies

    AND

    Amanda Harberg - Hall of Ghosts

    AND

    Liebermann - Concerto for Piccolo Op. 50

    Mvmt 3

    For your convenience, all the repertoire for the competitions can be found at Syrinx Music.

  • First Prize: $1,000 | Second Prize: $500 | Third Prize: $200
    Sponsored by Powell Flutes and the Australian Guild of Music and Speech

    2023 Winners: John Shephard, First Prize, Carlin Hara-Crockford, Second Prize and Cate Ahrendt, Third Prize

    All prizewinners will be given a digital publication through Syrinx Music for online purchase of the digital score.

    In 2023 the theme of the composition competition is "Celebrating Reconnection". After months of division due to the pandemic, we are excited to call the whole Australian flute community together.

    Composers are invited to take inspiration from the idea of "Celebrating Reconnection" as part of the 2023 Festival which has connotations of hope, solidarity and pride in our Australian heritage.

    The set instrumentation for this year's competition is for concert flute and piano or piccolo and piano.

    First Round

    Registration closes 5pm on Wednesday 28th June 2023 (Sydney, Australia time)

    Closing date for submissions: Friday 28th July 2023

    Panel: Julia Grenfell, Johanna Selleck, Peggy Polias

    A maximum of 6 finalists will be announced on: Friday 25th August 2023

    Finalists may arrange for a flute or piccolo player of their choice to perform their work, or the Festival will allocate a performer to perform each work. No performance fee will be paid by the Festival.

    Final Round

    Sunday 1 October, 2023, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

    Panel: Julia Grenfell, Johanna Selleck, Peggy Polias

    Composers should submit a pdf and mp3 of their work to info@flutesandflutists.com

2023 Winners

Open Competition

From Left: James Kortum, Margaret Crawford, Elizabeth Pring, David Silva (First Prize), Jessica Scott (Second Prize), Paula Rae and Geoffrey Collins

Composition Competition

From Left: Cate Ahrendt (Third Prize), Carlin Hara-Crockford (Second Prize), John Shephard (First Prize), Julia Grenfell, Johanna Selleck and Peggy Polias

Young Artist Competition

From Left: Renia Shang, Alina Chen, Ella Zhang (Second Prize), Samuel de Kroon (First Prize), Ewa Kowalski, Mary-Anne Blades and Eliza Shephard

Piccolo Competition

From Left: Michael Waye, Diane Berger, Andrew Macleod, Adrienne Hanslow (First Prize), and Maria Hincapie Duque (Second Prize)

Open Competition Rules

    • The Open Flute Competition is open to all nationalities aged 32 years and under, as at Friday 29th September 2023.

    • Competitors must pay the registration fee for the competition (see Registration page).

    • The competition registration fee is non-refundable.

    • Competitors do not have to register for the entire Festival. Competitors may register for the competition only.

    • If you would like to enter the Competition and attend the Festival, you need to register for the Competition and for the Festival (see Registration page.)

    • The adjudicating panel will consider both the semifinal and the final round performances when deciding the first, second and third place.

    • The jury may not hear the complete program in Round Two.

    • A competitor who fails to be on time may be disqualified.

    • A jury is appointed by the AFF Committee.

    • The decision of the jury is final.

    • Competitors are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.

    • An accompanist will be provided for the semifinals and the finals of the competition. A timetable will be available for rehearsals.

    • A competitor may use their own accompanist at their own cost.

    • No photocopied sheet music may be used.

    • The AFF Competition Committee reserves the right to make changes to the competition.

    • All rights for recording, broadcasting, sales of recordings, etc. of performances presented in and for this competition remain the property of the organiser.

    • Any matters arising over these rules are to be solved based on the English version of these rules and in conformity with the laws of Australia.

  • Complete registration includes the following:

    • Video file sent via Dropbox, Google Drive OneDrive or similar link

    • An official confirmation of the candidate’s age (copy of birth certificate, driver licence or passport)

    • A recent photograph of high quality, of the competitor

    • Competition fee proof of payment

    • Incomplete registrations will not be considered

    • Late entries will not be considered

    First round - Video requirements

    Format: MP4 or MOV, not exceeding 1 GB in size.

    It is recommended that you record with a separate microphone and with high-definition video in 720pHD at 30fps or 1080pHD at 30fps or 60fps

    The works must be recorded in their entirety

    The video MUST be recorded in one continuous take to simulate a live performance. Edited videos will be disqualified.

    It is up to the competitor to ensure the audio is of a high quality, offers suitable representation in terms of proximity to the source and does not clip or distort.

    Consider how your video is presented visually. Ensure your camera is stable when recording use a tripod. Ensure that you are well framed in the screen shot. Clear the area that is in the screen shot of clutter.

Young Artist Competition Rules

    • The Young Artist Competition is open to all nationalities aged 18 years and under, as at Friday 29 September 2023.

    • Competitors must pay the registration fee for the competition (see Registration page).

    • The competition registration fee is non-refundable.

    • Competitors do not have to register for the entire Festival. Competitors may register for the competition only.

    • If you would like to enter the Competition and attend the Festival, you need to register for the Competition first, and then for the Festival (see Registration page).

    • Parents accompanying competition entrants under the age of 16 can use a code to receive a discounted full festival or day pass. This code will be provided automatically on registration for the competition. (See registration page)

    • A competitor who fails to be on time may be disqualified.

    • A jury is appointed by the AFF Committee.

    • The decision of the jury is final.

    • Competitors are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.

    • An accompanist will be provided for the finals of the competition. A timetable will be available for rehearsals.

    • A competitor may use their own accompanist at their own cost.

    • No photocopied sheet music may be used.

    • The AFF Competition Committee reserves the right to make changes to the competition.

    • All rights for recording, broadcasting, sales of recordings, etc. of performances presented in and for this competition remain the property of the organiser.

    • Any matters arising over these rules are to be solved based on the English version of these rules and in conformity with the laws of Australia.

  • Complete registration includes the following:

    • Video files sent via Dropbox, Google Drive OneDrive or similar link

    • An official confirmation of the candidate’s age (copy of birth certificate, driver licence or passport)

    • A recent photograph of high quality, of the competitor

    • Competition fee proof of payment

    • Incomplete registrations will not be considered

    • Late entries will not be considered

    First round - Video requirements

    Format: MP4 or MOV, not exceeding 1 GB in size.

    It is recommended that you record with a separate microphone and with high-definition video in 720pHD at 30fps or 1080pHD at 30fps or 60fps

    The works must be recorded in their entirety.

    The video MUST be recorded in one continuous take to simulate a live performance. Edited videos will be disqualified.

    It is up to the competitor to ensure the audio is of a high quality, offers suitable representation in terms of proximity to the source and does not clip or distort.

    Consider how your video is presented visually. Ensure your camera is stable when recording use a tripod. Ensure that you are well framed in the screen shot. Clear the area that is in the screen shot of clutter.

Piccolo Competition Rules

    • The Piccolo Competition is open to all nationalities aged 32 years and under, as at Friday 29th September 2023.

    • Competitors must pay the registration fee for the competition (see Registration page).

    • The competition registration fee is non-refundable.

    • Competitors do not have to register for the entire Festival. Competitors may register for the competition only.

    • If you would like to enter the Competition and attend the Festival, you need to register for the Competition and for the Festival (see Registration page).

    • The adjudicating panel will consider both the semifinal and the final round performances when deciding the first, second and third place.

    • The jury may not hear the complete program in Round Two.

    • A competitor who fails to be on time may be disqualified.

    • A jury is appointed by the AFF Committee.

    • The decision of the jury is final.

    • Competitors are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.

    • An accompanist will be provided for the semifinals and the finals of the competition. A timetable will be available for rehearsals.

    • A competitor may use their own accompanist at their own cost.

    • No photocopied sheet music may be used.

    • The AFF Competition Committee reserves the right to make changes to the competition.

    • All rights for recording, broadcasting, sales of recordings, etc. of performances presented in and for this competition remain the property of the organiser.

    • Any matters arising over these rules are to be solved based on the English version of these rules and in conformity with the laws of Australia.

  • There is a $120 Registration Fee for the Piccolo Competition.

    Registration closes 5pm on Friday 23rd June, 2023 (Sydney, Australia time)

    Email: info@australianflutefestival.com - please send your video link and documentation mentioned in the checklist in ONE email.

  • Complete registration includes the following:

    • Video files sent via Dropbox, Google Drive OneDrive or similar link

    • An official confirmation of the candidate’s age (copy of birth certificate, driver licence or passport)

    • A recent photograph of high quality, of the competitor

    • Competition fee proof of payment

    • Incomplete registrations will not be considered

    • Late entries will not be considered

    First round - Video requirements

    Format: MP4 or MOV, not exceeding 1 GB in size.

    It is recommended that you record with a separate microphone and with high-definition video in 720pHD at 30fps or 1080pHD at 30fps or 60fps

    The works must be recorded in their entirety

    The video MUST be recorded in one continuous take to simulate a live performance. Edited videos will be disqualified.

    It is up to the competitor to ensure the audio is of a high quality, offers suitable representation in terms of proximity to the source and does not clip or distort.

    Consider how your video is presented visually. Ensure your camera is stable when recording use a tripod. Ensure that you are well framed in the screen shot. Clear the area that is in the screen shot of clutter.

Composition Competition Rules

    • Time Limit: 5 minutes.

    • The composer must be an Australian resident.

    • The composer's name should not appear on the score and parts. The AFF will assign a number to each entry after receiving the scores.

    • There is no age limit.

    • The work must be composed after January 1 2020.

    • Instrumentation: Flute and Piano or Piccolo and Piano.

    • Simple electronics allowable if they can be set up and operated by the performer.

    • Composers need to pay the registration fee for the competition (See Registration Page)

    • Composers do not need to be registered for the Festival

    • The registration fee is non-refundable.

    • Instrumentation: Flute and piano or piccolo and piano.

    • The six finalists will also be required to provide performance parts.

    • A jury is appointed by the AFF Committee.

    • The decision of the jury is final.

    • Judges are not obligated to comment on any adjudication.

    • The AFF Competition Committee reserves the right to make changes to the competition.

    • All rights for recording, broadcasting, sales of recordings, etc. of performances presented in and for this competition remain the property of the organiser.

    • There is a $120 Registration Fee for the Composition Competition.

    • Registration closes 6pm on Friday 28th July 2023 (Sydney, Australia time)

    • Closing date for submissions: Friday 28th July 2023

    • The registration fee is non-refundable

    • Composers should submit their work in 3 formats: One PDF file, one Sibelius file and one MP3 file either of a live recording or MIDI.

    • The composer's name should not appear on the score and parts. The AFF will assign a number to each entry after receiving the scores.

    • The six finalists will also be required to provide performance parts.