Rules 2027

MAJAOJA PERCUSSION COMPETITION 2027 – RULES

  • Date: 27.–30.10.2027
  • Location: Tampere Conservatory, Pyynikki Hall
  • Official language: The official language of the competition rules is Finnish. The rules are also published in English.
  • Official email address: majaojapercussion2027@gmail.com

I Organizers

Tampere Conservatory and the Majaoja Foundation organize the Majaoja Percussion Competition at the Tampere Conservatory on October 27–30, 2027, in cooperation with Pirkanmaa Music Institute, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, and Palmgren Conservatory.

II Eligibility and Categories

The competition is open to all percussionists regardless of nationality, excluding citizens of Russia and Belarus.

The competition consists of three age categories and an open review category:

  • Category A: Open to all regardless of age.
  • Category B: Born in 2006 or later (maximum 21 years during 2027).
  • Category C: Born in 2011 or later (maximum 16 years during 2027).
  • Review Category: A non-competitive review focusing on chamber music without age limits.

III Prizes

  • Category A:
    • 1st prize: €6,500
    • 2nd prize: €3,500
    • 3rd prize: €1,500
    • The jury reserves the right to divide the prize money as it deems fit. However, the total amount of prizes is always €11,500.
  • Category B:
    • The total amount of prizes is €4,500, which the jury will divide as it deems fit.
  • Category C:
    • The total amount of prizes is €1,000, which the jury will divide as it deems fit.
  • Review Category:
    • No monetary prizes are awarded in this category. After the performance, a jury consisting of members of the competition committee will give the performers brief oral feedback.

IV Registration and Auditions

Registration takes place on the website www.majaojapercussion.fi. The online registration form opens on February 1, 2027.

Category A

  • Registration deadline: May 15, 2027
  • 1st round (Video Audition):
    • A piece of choice for snare drum.
    • A piece of choice by J. S. Bach for marimba.
    • Maximum duration of the video is 10 minutes.
    • The pieces or their movements must be played without cuts or editing. The pieces may be recorded as separate takes, but they must be merged into a single video file.
    • The recording must not contain pieces intended to be performed in the 2nd or 3rd round of the competition.
  • Registration attachments:
    • Short curriculum vitae (CV).
    • YouTube link to the performance video in accordance with the rules.
  • Selection and jury: A panel consisting of members of the competition committee and the jury will select 12-14 participants for the second round based on the videos. Selected participants will be notified by email by May 31, 2027.

Category B

  • Registration deadline: May 15, 2027
  • Video Audition:
    • A piece of choice for snare drum.
    • A piece of choice for marimba.
    • Maximum duration of the video is 10 minutes. The rules for video recording are the same as in Category A. The pieces on the recording cannot be performed in later competition rounds.
  • Registration attachments:
    • Short curriculum vitae (CV).
    • YouTube link to the performance video in accordance with the rules.
  • Selection and audition panel: A panel consisting of the competition committee will select 12–14 participants for the competition based on the videos. Selected participants will be notified by email by May 31, 2027.

Category C

  • Registration deadline: May 15, 2027
  • Registration attachments:
    • Short curriculum vitae (CV).
  • Selection: The competition committee will select 12–16 participants for the competition based on the curriculum vitae (CV). Selected participants will be notified by email by May 31, 2027.

Review Category

  • Registration deadline: September 1, 2027
  • Selection: Approximately 10 ensembles will be selected for the review on a first-come, first-served basis.

V Entry Fees

Entry fees are charged only to those selected to advance/compete:

  • Category A: €120 / competitor (charged to those who pass the 1st round)
  • Category B: €80 / competitor (charged to those who pass the video audition)
  • Category C: €60 / competitor (charged to those who pass the competition committee’s CV audition)
  • Review Category: €40 / group

Competitors as well as guardians of competitors under 18 years of age have free admission to all concerts organized during the competition.

VI General Rules and Conditions

  • Order of Performance: The order of performance will be drawn by October 25, 2027, at the latest, and published at majaojapercussion.fi.
  • Schedule Changes: The competition committee reserves the right to make changes to the schedules if necessary.
  • Travel and Accommodation: Competitors, guardians, and teachers are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and meal expenses.
  • Recording and Publicity: The competition and its side events are public. The organizers reserve the right, without separate compensation, to record, photograph, video, broadcast on radio or television, or livestream performances online. Unauthorized recording of performances by the audience is prohibited.
  • Electronics: Works containing backing tracks or other electronics may not be used in competition performances.
  • Maximum Duration: The jury reserves the right to interrupt a performance if the prescribed maximum duration is exceeded.
  • Interpretation of Rules: The rules have been drawn up by the competition committee, which will resolve any questions regarding compliance with the rules. The jury decides on the winners, prize places, and the division of prize money. Questions regarding competition arrangements should be directed to the competition producer.

REPERTOIRE AND SCHEDULES FOR COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Category A (Pyynikki Hall)

2nd round – Thursday 28.10.2027

  • Snare drum: One piece from the following:
    • Masson: Prim
    • Gautheux: American Suite for snare drum (movements I, II, and IV)
    • Benson: Three Dances for Snare Drum
    • Martynciow: Impressions for Snare Drum (movement I)
    • Martynciow: Tchik
    • Macarez: Etude 15 (from Snare System vol. II)
    • Gerassimez: Asventuras
    • Ono: Clock Speed for Snare Drum
    • Wooton: Rudimental Clave for Snare Drum
    • Cheung: Nian 4
  • Vibraphone: Piece of choice. (No accompanied works, backing tracks, or other electronics.)
  • Maximum duration: Total maximum duration of performance up to 15 min.

3rd round / Final – Saturday 30.10.2027

  • Marimba: Piece of choice. (No accompanied works, backing tracks, or other electronics.)
  • Multipercussion: Commissioned piece by Tampere Conservatory (played on a setup designated by the organizer). Sheet music will be sent to those who pass the first (video) round by May 31, 2027.
  • Maximum duration: Total maximum duration of performance up to 20 min.

Category B (Pyynikki Hall)

1st round –  Wednesday 27.10.2027

  • Snare drum: One piece from the following:
    • Campbell: Symphonic Dances for Solo Snare Drum (movements I and III)
    • Novotney: A Minute of News
    • Markovich: The Winner
    • Kopetzki: Suite for Snare (movements Prelude, Ground I, and Ground II)
    • Delécluse: Test-Claire
    • Gerassimez: Asventuras
    • Beck: Stuart’s System for Success
    • Martynciow: Truc à Trac
    • Ono: Clock Speed for Snare Drum
    • Peters: Hard times, etyde V
  • Vibraphone: Piece of choice for solo vibraphone. (No accompanied works, backing tracks, or other electronics.)
  • Maximum duration: Total maximum duration of performance up to 10 min.

2nd round / Final – Friday 29.10.2027

  • Marimba: Piece of choice for solo marimba. (No accompanied works, backing tracks, or other electronics.)
  • Multipercussion: Commissioned piece by Tampere Conservatory (played on a setup designated by the organizer). Sheet music will be sent to those who pass the audition round (video) by May 31, 2027.
  • Maximum duration: Total maximum duration of performance up to 15 min.

Category C (Pyynikki Hall)

Only competition round – Friday 29.10.2027

  • Repertoire: Three solo pieces of choice on different instruments.
  • Allowed instruments: Marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, snare drum, timpani, or drum set (BD, SD, 2x rack tom, FT, HH, crash, ride).
  • Restrictions:
    • Only one piece may be played per selected instrument.
    • No accompanied works, backing tracks, or other electronics.
  • Maximum duration: Total maximum duration of performance up to 10 min.

Review Category (Pyynikki Hall)

Saturday 30.10.2027

  • Repertoire: A short chamber music performance (no backing tracks or other electronics).