In memory of Laura Searle, her daughter, Victoria Reeve, has given a foundation gift to fund the Laura Searle Prize for Piano Concerto Playing. This prize is awarded annually by the South African College of Music to a piano student of exceptional ability. Join Victoria and the SA College of Music in supporting this prize.
Donations (marked The Laura Searle Prize) can be made by EFT to:
UCT Donations Account
Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Branch code: 025009
Account number: 07 152 2387
Type of account: Current
Swift address: SBZAZAJJ
Please e-mail proof of payment to Fiona Grayer (concerts@uct.ac.za).
You will receive a letter of acknowledgement which can be used to obtain a tax rebate.
PRELIMINARY ROUND: Monday 27 October 2025, Baxter Concert Hall, from 10am onwards
FINAL ROUND: Friday 31 October 2025, Baxter Concert Hall, 7pm
The South African College of Music hereby invites applications for the 22nd Laura Searle Prize for Piano Concerto Playing. This competition is open to any full-time classical piano students at the SACM.
Students may win this competition twice, but not in consecutive years.
Both Rounds: You must prepare one full piano concerto.
2024 Dané van Graan
2023 Gerhard Joubert
2022 Simon Wu
2021 Gerhard Joubert
2020 No cxompetition held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019 Simon Wu
2018 Estelle Roux
2017 Alice Clegg
2016 Yohan Chun
2015 Emma Luyendijk
2014 Pieter Rooi
2013 Reese Barkhuizen
2012 Coila-Leah Enderstein
2011 Jessamie Jardim
2010 Olga Rademan
2009 Clinton Claasen
2008 Reese Barkhuizen
2007 Olga Rademan
2006 Bradley Burgess
2005 Maria Spies
2004 James Baillieu
1st Prize R10 000 & opportunity to perform with the UCT Symphony Orchestra
Runners up R2 500 each
The competition is adjudicated by a panel of widely recognised and experienced professional musicians. Previous adjudicators have included: Prof James May, Prof Hendrik Hofmeyr, Sandra Kettle, Simone Kirsch.
