JAMES CARSON MEMORIAL PRIZE ( James Carson flute competition

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The James Carson Memorial Flute Prize (also known as the James Carson Flute Competition) is a scholarship with advanced flutists competing for a cash prize and their name engraved on the prestigious Carson Trophy! The event is held in two rounds, a preliminary round, and then a final concert. This esteemed flute event is held in memory of the Flute Guild's founder, James Carson, who was principal flutist of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra for 23 years, and lecturer in flute at the Conservatorium from 1957 until 1979. 

The set works will be announced at the end of 2025

1. All competitors in the James Carson Memorial Competition must be current financial members of the QLD Flute Guild. 

2. The competition is open to advanced students of flute, aged up to and including 31 years as of March 31, 2026. It is not open to professional players, ie. persons who earn a significant proportion of their income from performing as a flautist. 

3. Entrants in the Carson Memorial Competition are responsible for obtaining their own original music for the set works and all other pieces performed in the course of the competition. 

4. Finalists are responsible for providing their own accompanist in the final round of the competition. 

1979 John McGrath 

1980 Jo Ann Pitman 

1981 Craig Wright 

1982 Susan Barker 

1983 Susan Barker 

1984 Craig Wright 

1985 Lisa Maree Amos 

1986 Margaret Wrench 

1987 Gerard Dutton 

1988 Gerard Dutton 

1989 Karen Lonsdale 

1990 Karen Lonsdale 

1991 Heather Michael 

1992 Sonia Croucher 

1993 Janet McKay 

1994 Jean Burgess 

1995 Jean Burgess 

1996 Andrew McLeod 

1997 Bryony MacGillvray 

1998 Timothy Munro 

1999 Timothy Munro 

2000 George Plunkett 

2001 Alexis Kenny 

2002 Roxy Kavanagh 

2003 Roxy Kavanagh 

2004 Roxy Kavanagh 

2005 Sarah Swann 

2006 Catherine Gregory  

2007 Catherine Gregory

2008 Maxine Byrne  

2009 Jonathan Henderson 

2010 Hannah Reardon-Smith 

2011 Brijette Tubb 

2012 Simone Maurer 

2013 Latham Horn  

2014 Emily Smith 

2015 Anna Coe 

2016 Rachel Lau 

2017 Rachel Lau 

2018 Rachel Lau 

2019 Jemima Drews 

2020 Jemima Drews

2021             Laura Cliff

2025             Nathan Smith

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