2024 entries are now closed…

see you on October 5 & 6!

2024 Competition Section Information

Please read through this information carefully – QCASS has made a few changes to this year’s competition! When participants are ready to put in their competition registration, they can do so via the Official Entry Form here


Entries close Friday September 13th, 2024

  • Late entries will not be accepted, so please note the registration deadline carefully.

  • A refund of paid competition fees will only be given if cancellation occurs before Friday September 13th.

Competition sections are categorised by similar playing ability, rather than by age.  For example, section 1 is for clarinettists of beginner to Grade 2 level. The Grades indicated refer to AMEB or Trinity examination grades.

  • Please ensure that the piece selected for the competition is included in the syllabus for the section’s Grade as indicated.

  • On the competition registration form, competitors will be asked to write down the name and composer of the piece(s) they will be performing. QCASS will double-check whether they have registered for the correct section, and pass the repertoire selections on to the piano accompanists.

Contestants are required to supply photocopies of their performance piece upon arrival at the competition – for accompanied works, two (2) photocopies of the piano part are required - one copy will be for the accompanist, and one for the adjudicators.

If the performance piece is a solo work, one (1) photocopy of the music is sufficient.

Photocopied material will not be returned. Performers are encouraged to use original music to perform.

 

An official accompanist is provided on the day of the competition.

The fee for this is:

$15.00 per competitor for all Grades up to and including Grade 4 (competition sections 1-4)

$20.00 per competitor for Grades 5 and above (competition sections 5 and above)

  • If you require the service of the official accompanist, please indicate this clearly on the official entry form.

  • Please note that it is not possible to engage the service of the official QCASS accompanist on the day if this has not been pre-booked via the registration form.

  • Competitors wishing to rehearse with the official accompanist prior to the competition can organize this by emailing the accompanist directly. Details of the accompanist will be supplied after the competition’s closing date.. Rehearsals will be at the competitor’s own expense.

  • Entrants may bring their own accompanist instead of using the official accompanist, at their own expense.

  • Performing with recorded backing is acceptable. Please indicate this on the entry form, under accompanist, and ensure to bring the backing track on the day.

  

Solo Categories 2024

For the solo sections, QCASS recommends competitors perform one (1) piece, or one movement of a larger work only.

It is strongly encouraged that competitors not only enter a piece in their applicable section, but also register to perform an Australian Work in the “Australian Work” section, to give them another performance opportunity.

Baritone saxophonists and Bass Clarinettists are encouraged to enter in their applicable section, and also register to compete for The Paul Kopetz Baritone Saxophone/Bass Clarinet Prize.

Competitors participating in more than one section should perform a different work in each of these sections.

In each section, a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize will be awarded, dependent on sufficient numbers of competitors in the section. If a section has a very small number of participants, QCASS reserves the right to award fewer prizes, and/or to combine two sections.

 

Please select the correct section from the 12 available solo categories below:

Section 1: Clarinet solo, beginner up to Grade 2
Time Limit: 5 Minutes
Entry Fee: $15

Section 2: Saxophone solo, beginner up to Grade 2
Time Limit: 5 Minutes
Entry Fee: $15

Section 3: Clarinet solo, Grade 3-4
Time Limit: 5 Minutes
Entry Fee: $15

Section 4: Saxophone solo, Grade 3-4
Time Limit: 5 Minutes
Entry Fee: $15

Section 5: Clarinet solo, Grade 5-6
Time Limit: 8 Minutes
Entry Fee: $20

Section 6: Saxophone solo, Grade 5-6
Time Limit: 8 Minutes
Entry Fee: $20

Section 7: Clarinet solo, Grade 7 and above

Primary and secondary school students only

Time Limit: 10 Minutes
Entry Fee: $25

Section 8: Saxophone solo, Grade 7 and above

Primary and secondary school students only

Time Limit: 10 Minutes
Entry Fee: $25

Section 9: Clarinet solo, Open

Tertiary and mature-aged students

Time Limit: 12 Minutes
Entry Fee: $25

Section 10: Saxophone solo, Open

Tertiary and mature-aged students

Time Limit: 12 Minutes
Entry Fee: $25

Section 11: Australian Work / Own work

Open to students of all ages and playing levels

Time Limit: 12 Minutes
Entry Fee: $25

Section 12: The Paul Kopetz Bass Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone Prize

Open to students of all ages and playing levels, prize(s) will be awarded to the competitor(s) who best demonstrate(s) excellence in bass clarinet or baritone saxophone playing at their level.

Time Limit: 10 Minutes
Entry Fee: $25


Ensemble Categories 2024 

Ensembles should consist of two or more performers, and made up predominantly of clarinet and/or saxophone players.

For the ensemble sections, groups are allowed to perform several works, provided the whole performance does not exceed the time limit indicated for their section.

In each Ensemble section, a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize will be awarded, dependent on the number of competitors.

If a section has a very small number of participants, QCASS reserves the right to award fewer prizes, and/or to combine two sections.

On the registration form, please select the correct section from the seven (7) available Ensemble categories below. Please note that participants in the Ensemble categories 13-18 should all be school-student age, and students are not allowed to be accompanied by professional players/teachers.

 

Section 13: Small Ensemble, up to three players

Primary and secondary school students of any age, any combination of clarinets and saxophones only

Time Limit: 10 Minutes
Entry Fee: $30

Section 14: Junior Ensemble

Primary school students only

Time Limit: 5 Minutes
Entry Fee: $30

Section 15: Intermediate Ensemble

Secondary school students, majority of ensemble members in years 7-9

Time Limit: 10 Minutes
Entry Fee: $30

Section 16: Secondary School Quartet

Secondary school students, only one player per part

Time Limit: 15 Minutes
Entry Fee: $40

Section 17: Senior Large Ensemble – Clarinet or Saxophone Choir

Secondary school students, majority of ensemble members in years 10-12

These ensembles can have multiple players per part

Time Limit: 15 Minutes
Entry Fee: $40

Section 18: Mixed Ensemble

Secondary school students only. At least one clarinet or saxophone player, plus other instruments.

Time Limit: 15 Minutes
Entry Fee: $40

Section 19: Open Ensemble

Tertiary students and community musicians, aged 18 and over

Time Limit: 15 Minutes
Entry Fee: $40