The Cape Town Woodwind Competition aims to provide a nurturing environment for young musicians while striving to be recognised as a platform that promotes excellence in woodwind performance.
Established in 2025, the competition is presented by the Rainbow Exchange NPC in partnership with the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town. Made possible through the generous support of the Rupert Music Foundation, the competition celebrates and showcases the talents of outstanding young woodwind musicians from across South Africa.
The competition features two categories: a Junior category for high school students and a Senior category for musicians up to the age of 28. By providing meaningful performance opportunities, expert adjudication, and national exposure, the competition seeks to support the artistic development of emerging performers at a pivotal stage in their musical journeys.
Alternating biennially with the UCT Strings Competition, the Cape Town Woodwind Competition forms part of a broader commitment to nurturing the next generation of South African classical musicians. Together, these competitions create a national platform that encourages excellence, inspires artistic growth, and fosters connections between young performers, educators and audiences.
The Cape Town Woodwind Competition aims to bring together audiences and communities to experience inspiring performances by gifted young artists at the beginning of their professional careers. Finalists will present a public recital showcasing their artistry, technical accomplishment and musical individuality.
CLOSING DATE: Please complete the online entry form, pay the entry fee and submit a link to your prelim round recording before Monday 14 June 2027.
(You will be informed by 1 July if you are selected to take part in the 2027 Competition.)
FIRST ROUND SENIOR CATEGORY: Monday 23 August 2027, Baxter Concert Hall, from 10am onwards (aged 18 - 28 years)
FIRST ROUND JUNIOR CATEGORY: Wednesday 25 August 2027, Baxter Concert Hall, from 2pm onwards (below 18 years)
FINAL ROUND: Friday 27 August 2027, Baxter Concert Hall, 6pm (Both Categories)
The competition is adjudicated by a panel of widely recognised and experienced professional musicians.
The Rainbow Exchange NPC in partnership with the South African College of Music hereby invites applications for the 2nd Cape Town Woodwind Competition.
Students must be below the age of 28 on the date of the competition.
HOW TO ENTER:
Step 1 - Record your Recorded Round
Step 2 - Complete the online entry form (below)
Step 3 - Pay the R100 entry fee (details below) before Monday 14 June 2027.
ENTRY FEE:
R100 is payable in cash or via EFT to Fiona Grayer before Monday 14 June 2027.
Banking details:
The Rainbow Exchange NPC
ABSA Cheque Account: 4098558534
Branch code: 542510
Reference: Your initials and surname
Please email proof of payment to info@the-rainbow-exchange.co.za
GENERAL
To be eligible for the Senior Category of the Cape Town Woodwind Competition, candidates must be 18 - 28 years of age on the date of the Competition Finals.
Accompanists: Competitors are kindly asked to provide their own accompanist. If you do not have an accompanist in Cape Town, the competition organisers will be happy to recommend two pianists from whom you may choose. Please note that any accompanist fees are the responsibility of the competitor.
The jury’s decision is final.
By entering, competitors agree that their performances may be recorded and that their images, names, and recordings may be used for promotional purposes.
The overall winner from the previous year’s competition may not enter in the following year.
Accommodation and travel at the expense of the competitor. However, where needed host families can be provided to out of town participants.
RECORDED ROUND
Total duration 5 – 8 minutes;
Competitors are required to record two contrasting movements/pieces;
Works may be recorded with or without piano;
Hands and face must be clearly visible at all times;
Each recording must be recorded from beginning to end without cuts or edits as one take;
Recordings must be submitted via an unlisted Youtube link;
Clearly mark recordings with your name, instrument, title of the work(s) and composer; Youtube Links should be added to the online entry form.
FIRST ROUND
Total duration 15 – 20 minutes
A prescribed solo South African work of 2 minutes in duration, commissioned by the competition. This work will be e-mailed to candidates 2 months before the start of the competition.
One or more movements from a Concerto or Solo work with Orchestra (will be performed with piano accompaniment)
Any additional contrasting work/works
Candidates may use works from the audition round in this round.
FINAL ROUND
The final round takes the form of a public concert in the Baxter Concert Hall The final round will be recorded for future broadcasts.
Total duration 25 – 30 minutes;
A recital programme consisting of:
At least one movement from a Sonata which wasn’t performed in any previous round;
One UNACCOMPANIED PIECE or movements of an unaccompanied piece which wasn’t performed in any previous round;
Any other contrasting work/works (which could be a work/works performed in a previous round including the audition round).
REPERTOIRE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
Repeats are permitted but not mandatory.
Competitors may play with or without music, regardless of the repertoire.
In the first round, orchestral tuttis may be cut.
Competitors are free to decide their performance order for each round, but those who do not abide by the time limits may be stopped by the jury.
Copies of sheet music (electronic pdfs) must be provided for the panel and should be emailed to the Competition Organiser, Fiona Grayer on concerts@uct.ac.za before 10 August 2027.
Participants may repeat a work presented in the Pre-Screening Round in either the First or the Final Round. However, no single piece may be performed more than twice throughout the competition.
For further enquiries, please contact the Competition Organiser, Fiona Grayer, on concerts@uct.ac.za
GENERAL
Applicants for the Junior Category must have attained a minimum performance standard equivalent to Grade 7 or higher.
Accompanists: Competitors are kindly asked to provide their own accompanist. If you do not have an accompanist in Cape Town, the competition organisers will be happy to recommend two pianists from whom you may choose. Please note that any accompanist fees are the responsibility of the competitor.
The jury’s decision is final.
By entering, competitors agree that their performances may be recorded and that their images, names, and recordings may be used for promotional purposes.
Accommodation and travel at the expense of the competitor.
Under 18s are to be accompanied by a parent / guardian.
RECORDED ROUND
Total duration 5 – 8 minutes;
Competitors are required to record two contrasting movements/pieces;
Works may be recorded with or without piano;
Hands and face must be clearly visible at all times;
Each recording must be recorded from beginning to end without cuts or edits as one take;
Recordings must be submitted via an unlisted Youtube link;
Clearly mark recordings with your name, instrument, title of the work(s) and composer; Youtube Links should be added to the online entry form.
FIRST ROUND
Total duration 8 – 10 minutes
A prescribed solo South African work of 2 minutes in duration, commissioned by the competition. This work will be e-mailed to candidates 2 months before the start of the competition.
One or more movements from a Concerto or Solo work with Orchestra (will be performed with piano accompaniment)
Any additional contrasting work/works
Candidates may use works from the audition round in this round.
FINAL ROUND
The final round takes the form of a public concert in the Baxter Concert Hall The final round will be recorded for future broadcasts.
Total duration 15 – 20 minutes;
A recital programme consisting of:
At least one movement from a Sonata which wasn’t performed in any previous round;
One UNACCOMPANIED PIECE or movements of an unaccompanied piece which wasn’t performed in any previous round;
Any other contrasting work/works (which could be a work/works performed in a previous round including the audition round).
REPERTOIRE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
Repeats are permitted but not mandatory.
Competitors may play with or without music, regardless of the repertoire.
In the first round, orchestral tuttis may be cut.
Competitors are free to decide their performance order for each round, but those who do not abide by the time limits may be stopped by the jury.
Copies of sheet music (electronic pdfs) must be provided for the panel and should be emailed to the Competition Organiser, Fiona Grayer on concerts@uct.ac.za before 10 August 2027.
Participants may repeat a work presented in the Pre-Screening Round in either the First or the Final Round. However, no single piece may be performed more than twice throughout the competition.
For further enquiries, please contact the Competition Organiser, Fiona Grayer, on concerts@uct.ac.za
2025
Senior Category
1st prize: Lisa van Wyk, flute
Runners up: Lily van der Merwe, flute & Kate Watson, flute
Junior Category
1st prize: Kian Goliath, saxophone
Runners up: Quinn Goliath, saxophone & Matthew Lamprecht, flute
Prizes totalling R60 000 include:
SENIOR CATEGORY PRIZES
R 20 000 Overall Winner
R 10 000 Runner Up
R 5 000 Third Prize
R 2 500 Best Performance of a South African Work
JUNIOR CATEGORY PRIZES
R 10 000 Overall Winner
R 5 000 Runner Up
R 3 000 Third Prize
R 1 250 Best Performance of a South African Work
* Additional prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the adjudicators
The competition is adjudicated by a panel of widely recognised and experienced professional musicians. Previous adjudicators have included: Prof John Hinch, John Rojas, Prof Danré Strydom and Dr Liesl Stoltz (non-voting chair).
