RIAM Competitions
An impressive pool of awards, competitions and scholarship opportunities at the RIAM will see a large body of our talented student population compete for a number of coveted titles generously supported by a number of individuals and organisations in the year ahead. Join us as we journey through the world of competition online and showcase the impressive pool of talent at the Academy.
2021 Lucien and Maura Teissier Scholarship
Saturday 8 May, 2021 at 7.00 pm
One of Ireland’s most substantial music awards, the Lucien and Maura Teissier Scholarship is open to all Irish piano students of the Academy and is generously donated annually by Maura Teissier FRIAM.
Once again, we come to audiences virtually with an exciting stream of this year's event from the magnificent setting of the RIAM's Organ Room. A wonderful opportunity to hear some exceptional pianists from the RIAM's Keyboard Faculty brought to you in the comfort and safety of your home from our own home on Westland Row.
Sponsored by Maura Teissier FRIAM
Watch the event on the embedded YouTube video below.
Previous Competitions on RIAM Live
2021 Ursula Uí Chuinneagáin Bursary for Young Pianists
Thursday, March 25th at 7.00 pm
2021 Prizewinner: Joe O'Grady
Together with the Ó Cuinneagáin family, we we were delighted to present the Finals of the 2021 Ursula Uí Chuinneagáin Bursary for Young Pianists, which we are streaming from the magnificent setting of the RIAM’s Organ Room to homes across Ireland and further afield.
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 winner of this coveted award receives €2000, a perpetual bespoke Waterford Crystal trophy and a solo recital engagement.
Four outstanding pianists, Lucy Byrne, Charlotte Croke, Jinlong John Situ and Joe O’Grady, performed to a distinguished jury, chaired by one of Ireland’s finest musical ambassadors, Barry Douglas CBE.
2021 Maura Dowdall Competition
Saturday, 6 March, 2021 at 7.00 pm
An opportunity for all tertiary students to compete for a coveted performance opportunity with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the Maura Dowdall Award of €600 and the Colin Staveley Memorial Award for Strings.
Winners 2021
- Maura Dowdall Competition: Eunsuh Park (bassoon)
- Colin Stavely Memorial Award for strings: Inana Garis (violin)
Programme:
Megan O'Neill, soprano: Handel, Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Inana Garis, violin: Stravinsky, Violin Concerto in D Major
Eunsuh Park, bassoon: Weber, Bassoon Concerto in F Major Op 75
Kieran Sharkey, trombone: Tomasi, Trombone Concerto
Jisun Min, violin: Prokofiev, Violin Concerto No 1 in D major Op 19
Ben Gannon, oboe: Vaughan Williams, Oboe Concerto
Generously supported by the Dowdall and Staveley Families.
Join us by registering your attendance on Eventbrite.
2020 John Pollard Competition for Young String Players
Thursday, 10 December, 2020 at 7.00 pm
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.
Six wonderful young musicians; violinists Evan Lawrence, Chloë O’Connor and Shane Quinn, and cellists David Blake, Catherine Cotter and Adam Joyce, performed for the John Pollard Award of €2000 for an outstanding violinist or violist and the Stephen Vernon Award of €2000 for an outstanding cellist or double bass player.
The John Pollard Competition for Young String Players is generously sponsored by The John Pollard Foundation
2020 Prize Winners
John Pollard Award of €2000 for an Outstanding Violinist or Violist
Winner: Shane Quinn, violin
Stephen Vernon Award of €2000 for an Outstanding Cellist or Double Bass Player
Winner: Catherine Cotter, cello
2020 Junior Solo Competition (Dublin Philharmonic Prize in memory of Vincent O’Neill)
Monday, 14 December, 2020 at 7.00 pm
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.
We were delighted to join forces with this vibrant organisation to present this exciting event with audiences at home. This afforded the opportunity to hear five bright young artists from the RIAM compete for the prize of €600 and a public recital presented by the Dublin Philharmonic Society in memory of Vincent O’Neill.
Performing in the Final:
Lera O’Connor, flute
Julieanne Forrest, violin
Elizabeth Troup, cello
Leo McNally, piano
Catherine Cotter, cello
2020 Prize Winner
2020 Junior Solo Competition (Dublin Philharmonic Prize in memory of Vincent O’Neill)
Winner: Catherine Cotter, cello
2020 Irené Sandford Award for Singers
Wednesday, 25 November, 2020 at 7.00 pm (Semi-Final)
Thursday, 26 November, 2020 at 7.00 pm (Final)
Commemorating the much-loved singer and former Head of Vocal Studies at the RIAM, Irené Sandford, the annual bursary of €2,000 is generously donated by her husband, Billy Reid, in addition to a number of other prizes supported by her family, friends and donors.
Final: programme (pdf download)
Prizewinners 2020
Winner: €2000 Bursary, a perpetual trophy and an engagement in the Rosemary Street Recital Series
Anna-Helena MacLachlan
Finalists: Prizes of between €500 and €750 presented by Dr Michelle Mulligan and Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz
2nd Megan O’Neill
3rd Ellen Kelly
4th Louise Florence
Most Promising Performer during the Semi-Final Round: €500 Prize in memory of Margaret Quigley
Aimee Banks
Best Performance of an Art Song sung in English during the Semi-Final Round: €300 Prize presented by Chris McLoughlin
Rachael Conaghan
Best performance of an Aria during the Semi-Final Round: The Patricia Eberhart Aria Prize of €300 presented by Ivy and Frank Bannister.
Hannah O’Brien
Singing in the Finals
Finalists
Ellen Kelly (mezzo-soprano)
Louise Florence (soprano)
Megan O'Neill (soprano)
Anna-Helena Maclachlan (mezzo-soprano)
Most Promising Performer during the Semi-Final Round in memory of Margaret Quigley
Aimee Banks (soprano)
Best Performance of an Art Song sung in English during the Semi-Final Round
Rachel Conaghan (mezzo-soprano)
The Patricia Eberhart Aria Prize for the Best Performance of an Aria during the Semi-Final Round
Hannah O'Brien (soprano)
Semi Final: Programme (pdf download)
Singing in the Semi-Final:
Aimee Kearney (soprano)
Ellen Kelly (mezzo-soprano)
Louise Florence (soprano)
Megan O'Neill (soprano)
Madeline Judge (mezzo-soprano)
Aimee Banks (soprano)
Rachel Conaghan (mezzo-soprano)
Anna-Helena Maclachlan (mezzo-soprano)
Aimée-Rose Willett (soprano)
Aebh Kelly (mezzo-soprano)
Cerys MacAllister (soprano)
Hannah O'Brien (soprano)
2020 Lucien and Maura Teissier Competition
Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 at 7.00 pm
One of Ireland’s most substantial music awards, the Lucien and Maura Teissier Scholarship is open to all Irish piano students of the Academy and is generously donated annually by Maura Teissier FRIAM.
2020 Winner: Rowel Friers
Competitor 1: Rowel Friers
Glinka arr Balakirev: The Lark
Liszt: Ballade No 2 in B minor S171
Competitor 2: Brendan Kennedy
Mozart: Adagio in B minor K540
Rachmaninov: Preludes in B Major op 32 no 11, G-sharp Minor op 32 no 12, B-flat Major op 23 no 2
Competitor 3: Dida Condria
Sibelius: Impromptu No 5 in B Minor op 5 no 5
Chopin: I Allegro maestoso and IV Finale: Presto, non tanto from Piano Sonata No 3 in B Minor op 58