The following competitions are open to Junior RIAM students:
For more information about competitions open to Junior RIAM students, please contact riamjunior@riam.ie
Junior Solo Competition (28th November 2025)
(Dublin Philharmonic Prize in memory of Vincent O’Neill)
The Dublin Philharmonic Society is a voluntary non-profit making society established in 1985 by Vincent O'Neill and a group of like-minded, music-loving friends to give talented young musicians the valuable opportunity to perform to a live audience and to develop their presentation skills.
Prize: €600, a public recital presented by the Dublin Philharmonic Society in memory of Vincent O’Neill.
Eligibility: Junior RIAM Students 18 and under (or under 20 for singers) on 31 October 2025. Previous winners are not eligible to compete.
Application Deadline: Friday, 31 October 2025
Preliminary Round: Monday, 24th November 2025
Final: Friday, 28th November 2025
Preliminary Round Requirements: Competitors are required to perform a movement from a concerto/work written for solo instrument/voice and orchestra. A RIAM accompanist is available for Preliminary Round and Final for applicable instruments (piano entrants performing a piano concerto with accompaniment, must arrange their own accompanist for the competition, in consultation with their teacher).
Final: A shortlisted group of competitors will perform the same movement from a concerto/work written for solo instrument/voice and orchestra with piano accompaniment in the Final (piano entrants performing a piano concerto with accompaniment, must arrange their own accompanist for the competition, in consultation with their teacher).
You can apply using the application form link below. You must have your teacher's approval before making an application.
Dr. Marie McCormack Competition for Wind, Brass and Percussion (10 December 2025)
The Dr Marie McCormack Competition for Wind, Brass and Percussion provides a platform to identify, assist, and further develop young wind, brass and percussion players who demonstrate exceptional performance potential and innate musicality. Two prize winners will each receive a bursary of €1,000 to help with their studies.
Dr. Marie McCormack B.Sc., DipHE, Ph.D., is an alumna of University College Dublin, the University of California, San Francisco and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr McCormack worked as an early pioneer in the use of Electron Microscopy to identify cellular carcinogenic and human immunodeficiency virus infections. The competition is generously sponsored by Helen and Christopher McCormack, both former RIAM students, in their mother’s
name in recognition of her passion for music and support of young people.
Prizes: Two separate bursaries of €1,000 awarded at the discretion of the jury to exceptional performances from Junior RIAM wind, brass or percussion students.
Eligibility: Open to all Junior RIAM wind, brass and percussion students. Previous winners are not eligible to compete.
Application Deadline: Friday, 31 October 2025, 5.00 pm.
Preliminary Round: Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Final: Wednesday 10 December 2025
Preliminary Round Requirements: Competitors should prepare a 5-10 minute contrasting programme. A RIAM accompanist is available for the Preliminary Round and Final.
Final: Finalists selected from the Preliminary Round will be required to perform a free-choice contrasting 8-15 minute programme in the Final. Repertoire performed in the Preliminary Round can be repeated in the Final.
Ursula Uí Chuinneagain Bursary for Pianists - 16 December 2025
Sponsored by her son, Luke Ó Cuinneagáin, this exciting bursary for aspiring young pianists recognises Ursula Uí Chuinneagáin’s contribution to the music world in Ireland and her long-standing association with the RIAM. The bursary recognises that unswerving encouragement, support and sponsorship are critical factors when nurturing key young talent in pursuit of excellence.
Prize: €2,000 and a perpetual trophy.
Eligibility: Open to all secondary school piano students attending Junior RIAM. Previous winners are not eligible to compete.
Application Deadline: Friday, 31 October 2025, 5.00 pm
Semi-Final- and Final: Tuesday 16 December 2024
All applicants will be required to perform a minimum of two own-choice pieces, of contrasting style up to a maximum of 12 minutes for the Semi-Final Round.
Finalists will be required to perform a 15-minute programme to include the pieces performed in the Semi-Final Round. The choice of programme will be taken into consideration by the adjudication panel. It is also recommended that the performance for both rounds should be from memory.
Applicant will be required to submit a proposal on how he/she will spend the bursary fund if successful in advance of the Semi-Final Round.
You can apply using the application form link below. You must have your teacher's approval before making an application.
John Pollard Competition for Young String Players (4 March 2026)
The John Pollard Competition for Young String Players is designed to identify, assist, and further develop young string players who demonstrate exceptional performance potential and innate musicianship. Prize winners receive a bursary of €2,000 to afford them the opportunity of world-class specialist support, both at home and abroad.
Prizes:
John Pollard Award: Awarded to an outstanding violinist or violist
€2,000 bursary
Stephen Vernon Award : Awarded to an outstanding cellist or double bass player
€2,000 bursary
Eligibility: Junior RIAM violinists, violists, cellists and double bass players currently studying at secondary school. Previous winners are not eligible to compete.
Application Deadline: Friday, 30 January 2026
Preliminary Round: Monday, 2 March 2026
Final: Wednesday, 4 March 2026
Preliminary Round Requirements: Competitors should prepare 13-15 minute programme. A RIAM accompanist is available for Preliminary Round and Final.
Final: Finalists selected from the Preliminary Round will be required to perform the same 13-15 minute programme in the Final.
You can apply using the application form link below. You must have your teacher's approval before making an application.
RIAM PianoFest (16-20 February 2026)
A week-long feast of piano playing at the RIAM as students compete in numerous competitions across all ages and repertoire.
Closing date for registrations: Applications close on Monday 5 January 2026 at 5pm and the link to apply will be available here when registration opens
Parents / Teachers
Please note that you must provide the name and age of the student / competitor when registering.
SENIOR COMPETITIONS
Margaret O’Hea Recital Cup (17 years and over on 1 January 2026)
Own choice recital of not more than 20 minutes duration.
Audrey Chisholm Sonata Cup (17 years and over on 1 January 2026)
Own choice sonata of not more than 25 minutes duration. If preliminary rounds are required, maximum playing time will be 8 minutes per competitor.
INTERMEDIATE COMPETITIONS
Dorothy Stokes Rosebowl (14 to under 17 years on 1 January 2026)
One own choice piece of not more than 6 minutes duration from one of the following stylistic periods: Baroque; Classical; Romantic; Impressionist; Twentieth Century; Contemporary. Rosebowl and runner-up prizes will be awarded to the competitors with the overall highest marks. Within each stylistic category, a First Prize will be awarded to the competitor with the highest mark.
Gillian Smith Recital Cup (14 to under 17 years on 1 January 2026)
Own choice recital of not more than 15 minutes duration.
JUNIOR COMPETITIONS
Margaret Furlong Recital Cup (11 to under 14 years on 1 January 2026)
Own choice recital of not more than 12 minutes duration.
Valerie Walker Rosebowl (11 to under 14 years on 1 January 2026)
One own choice piece of not more than 4 minutes duration from one of the following stylistic periods: Baroque; Classical; Romantic; Impressionist; Twentieth Century; Contemporary. Rosebowl and runner-up prizes will be awarded to the competitors with the overall highest marks. Within each stylistic category, a First Prize will be awarded to the competitor with the highest mark.
MINOR COMPETITIONS
Joe Byrne Cup (9 to under 11 years 1 January 2026)
Own choice recital of not more than 9 minutes duration.
Sheila Rumbold Cup (under 9 years on 1 January 2026)
Two contrasting pieces of own choice totalling no more than 5 minutes duration.