John and Sue Thompson Vocal Accompaniment Scholarship
The John and Sue Thompson Vocal Accompaniment Scholarship promotes the art of collaboration between singers and pianists.
As part of the competition, third-year undergraduates or higher pianists and singers are required to present two pieces of vocal art song repertoire. The pianist will also play one solo piece. See application form for rules.
The prize is $3,000 to be divided equally between winning pianists and singers. The donor is Mr Sidney Cliffe.
Applications close Thursday 2 April 2026 at 4pm.
Apply for the John and Sue Thompson Vocal Accompaniment Scholarship
Any QCGU keyboard student undertaking third-year undergraduate study or higher is eligible to apply.
Any QCGU singer undertaking third-year undergraduate study or higher is eligible to apply as the collaborative partner of a pianist.
Applicants must submit an application by the date as indicated on the application form, in order to present to the judging panel on the date as advertised of the intended scholarship year.
An adjudication panel will comprise the Head of Keyboard and the Head of Vocal Studies and/or their nominees. No adjudicator shall be the teacher of any applicant.
The applicants, pianist and singer will be required to present two pieces of vocal art song repertoire (other languages acceptable e.g. German lieder, French melodie etc) but no operatic aria. The pianist will also play one solo piece of piano repertoire of their choice of between five-and eight-minutes' duration.
The pianists and singers will be interviewed by the panel.
At the discretion of the panel, the scholarship may be awarded to one or two partnerships.
Competition date: Wednesday 15 April 2026
Time: 7pm
Venue: Ian Hanger Recital Hall
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