WMC McLellan Competition for Solo Performance

WMC McLellan Competition provides career funding and performance opportunities for advanced Manitoba musicians who are pursuing performance careers.

The funds available for the WMC McLellan Competition for Solo Performance with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (the Competition) are monies accumulated from the interest through an investment with the Winnipeg Foundation. Awards totaling $20,000 are disbursed among the three finalists and presented following the Final Round Concert.

To meet all the eligibility requirements for the Competition, applicants must:

* Be raised/educated in Manitoba or have completed/are currently enrolled in a Degree Program (Undergraduate or Masters) in Manitoba. (Unique circumstances can be discussed.)

* Be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status in Canada. Documentation must be provided.

* Meet age requirements as of April 30th of the competition year as follows:

Vocalists: 20 to 35 years

Instrumentalists: 18 to 30 years

* Be performing at an advanced level, aiming toward a music performance career.

* Not have been a previous first place winner of the WMC McLellan Competition.

Previous 2nd and 3rd place finalists who meet the age requirements may reapply in four years’ time. (For example: a 2nd or 3rd place finalist in 2020 is eligible to apply for the 2024 competition but not for the 2022 competition). Otherwise, applicants may apply numerous times as long as age requirements are met.

* Be available for the Semi-Final Round on February 26, 2022.

* Be available the day prior to the Final Round concert in order to meet and confer with the conductor regarding performance details.

* Be available to rehearse with the WSO the day of the Final Round, April 20, 2022.

* Be prepared to pay their own expenses for travel, accommodation and collaborative pianist.

All applicants will submit audio files (MP3/WAV) by November 12, 2021, to be heard and ranked by jurors, who will choose the best performances. Based on these rankings, twelve applicants will be chosen for the Semi-Final Round live auditions. Semi-Finalists will be notified by the beginning of January 2022.

Instrumentalists are encouraged to play selections from different historical periods.

Vocalists are encouraged to include a variety of languages.

A non-refundable fee of $125 is payable if the application is received by 5 pm CST, Nov. 5, 2021.

A non-refundable fee of $200 is payable from the above date/time to 5 pm CST, Nov. 12, 2021.

Reference letters need not be included with the application, but must arrive on or before the deadline by mail or email.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Application Deadline is 5:00 pm CST, November 12, 2021.