1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions:

Competition means the BSO Music-Making Competition 2026 delivered by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and sponsored by Lark Music.

Promoter means Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (“BSO”), a registered charity (Charity No. 208520) whose registered office is at 2 Seldown Lane, Poole, Dorset BH15 1UF.

Competition and Prize Sponsor means Lark Music, a trading name of Howden UK Brokers Limited (Company No. 02831010), registered office One Creechurch Place, London EC3A 5AF.

Entrant means the individual named on the Competition entry form who submits an Entry.

Entry means a video submission uploaded via the official Competition Website.

Competition Website means the official Competition webpage hosted by BSO www.bsolive.com/create

Opening Date and Closing Date mean the dates published on the Competition Website.

Principal Performer means the individual whose instrumental performance forms the main subject of the Entry.

 

2. Acceptance of Terms

2.1. By entering the Competition, Entrants agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

2.2. The Promoter reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to refuse, reject or disqualify any Entry that does not comply with these Terms and Conditions.

 

3. Eligibility

3.1. The Competition is open to individuals who:

  • are aged 18 or over at the time of entry;
  • are resident in the United Kingdom; and
  • are non-professional musicians.

3.2. For the purposes of this Competition, a “non-professional musician” means an individual who does not derive their primary source of income from musical performance, composition, recording, or otherwise creating music.

3.3. Entrants may include individuals who:

  • engage in music as a hobby or personal creative practice;
  • undertake music alongside another primary profession; or
  • receive occasional or part-time income from music which is not their primary source of income.

 

4. Ineligible Entrants

4.1. The following individuals are not eligible to enter:

  • those who derive their primary income from music performance or composition;
  • full-time professional or contracted performing artists;
  • employees of the Promoter or the Competition and Prize Sponsor;
  • immediate family members of such employees.

4.2. The exclusion relating to the Competition and Prize Sponsor applies only to employees directly employed by Lark Music..

 

5. Entry Requirements

5.1. To enter the Competition, Entrants must:

  • complete the official registration form on the Competition Website;
  • upload an Entry using the official upload facility on the Competition Website;
  • use the same email address for registration and submission.

5.2. Only one (1) Entry per person is permitted.

5.3. No purchase is necessary to enter the Competition

5.4. Entries must be received no later than 23:59 on the published Closing Date.

5.5. Entries submitted by any method other than the official Competition Website will not be accepted.

 

6. Submission Criteria

6.1. Each Entry must:

  • feature a live instrumental performance by the Entrant;
  • be recorded in a single continuous take;
  • be no longer than three (3) minutes in duration;
  • be submitted in an accepted digital video format (including MP4 or MOV).

6.2. Entries may feature any instrument and musical genre including acoustic, electronic or digital instruments.

6.3. The Competition is open to:

  • original compositions;
  • faithful interpretations;
  • creative reinterpretations or re-imaginings of existing music.

6.4. The named Entrant must:

  • be the Principal Performer featured in the Entry; and
  • perform the principal instrumental part heard and seen within the submission.

6.5. Composers, arrangers, producers or third parties may not submit performances by another performer without the express knowledge and consent of the performer featured in the Entry.

6.6. The Promoter reserves the right to request evidence confirming:

  • the Entrant’s role as Principal Performer; and/or
  • the performer’s consent to submission and participation.

6.7. Accompaniment is permitted provided that:

  • the principal performance is clearly that of the Entrant;
  • any accompaniment is either performed live, created by the Entrant, or both; and
  • the overall performance is genuinely recorded live in real time.
  • only one named Entrant is judged;

6.8. Accompaniment may be:

  • performed live;
  • self-created by the Entrant; or
  • pre-recorded by the Entrant for use within the Entry.

6.9. The following are strictly prohibited:

  • Any form of vocal performance, including singing or spoken word;
  • AI-generated performances presented as human performances;
  • Performances containing unlawful, offensive or defamatory material.

6.10. Entrants are solely responsible for securing any permissions, licences or consents required in connection with their Entry.

 

7. Disqualification

7.1. The Promoter reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any Entry which:

  • is submitted after the Closing Date;
  • is incomplete, corrupted, or invalid;
  • breaches these Terms and Conditions;
  • contains offensive, inappropriate or unlawful material;
  • is suspected of manipulation or tampering with the entry process.

7.2. The Promoter reserves the right to request proof of age, identity and residency to verify eligibility.

 

8. Judging and Winner Selection

8.1. Entries will be judged by a panel appointed by the Promoter, which may include representatives of BSO, the Sponsor, guest artists and industry professionals.

8.2. Entries will be judged within the following age categories:

  • 18–24 years
  • 25–39 years
  • 40+ years

 

8.3. Entries will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • Control – How confidently and effectively the Entrant performs on their instrument.
  • Creativity and Musicality – How the Entrant brings the music to life through interpretation, expression, personality or creative approach.
  • Communication – How clearly and engagingly the performance connects with the viewer through video presentation.

8.4. The Competition welcomes all musical genres and styles. Judges will assess Entries against the published criteria rather than genre-specific conventions.

8.5. The judges’ decision is final, and binding and no correspondence will be entered into.

 

9. Prizes

9.1. One winner will be selected from each age category.

9.2. Each winner will receive:

  • a cash prize of £1,000.

9.3. Additional finalists may receive further prizes or recognition at the Promoter’s discretion.

9.4. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered except at the Promoter’s sole discretion.

9.5. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value where necessary.

 

10. Winner Notification

10.1. Winners will be contacted using the details supplied at entry.

10.2. If a winner:

  • cannot be contacted; or
  • fails to respond within 15 days,

the Promoter reserves the right to award the prize to another eligible Entrant.

10.3. Prizes may not be claimed by third parties on behalf of a winner

 

11. Named Entrant and Collaboration

11.1. Each Entry must be submitted in the name of a single individual Entrant.

11.2. Where additional musicians contribute to an Entry:

  • they may be credited;
  • however, the Entry remains that of the named Entrant.

11.3. The named Entrant must be the performer of the principal instrumental part.

11.4. Any prize will be awarded solely to the named Entrant.

11.5. Entrants are solely responsible for any agreements with collaborators, including any sharing of prizes. The Promoter and the Competition and Prize Sponsor accept no responsibility for such arrangements.

 

12. Intellectual Property and Usage Rights

12.1. Entrants retain ownership of their original recordings and compositions.

12.2. By entering the Competition, Entrants grant the Promoter and Sponsor a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide licence to:

  • use;
  • reproduce;
  • publish;
  • edit;
  • communicate; and
  • share

their Entry for Competition-related promotional, publicity and marketing purposes.

12.3. This may include:

  • social media;
  • press and media activity;
  • website content;
  • future Competition promotion;
  • digital marketing and advertising.

12.4. The Promoter will use reasonable endeavours to credit Entrants where practicable.

12.5. Entrants warrant that:

  • they own or control all necessary rights in the Entry;
  • the Entry does not infringe third-party rights;
  • all individuals appearing in the Entry have consented to participation.

 

13. Publicity

13.1. Winners may be required to participate in reasonable publicity connected with the Competition.

13.2. The Promoter may publish:

  • winners’ names;
  • counties;
  • photographs;
  • video excerpts; and
  • Entry titles.

13.3. Entrants may object to publication by contacting the Promoter, although the Promoter may still disclose winner information where legally required.

 

14. Data Protection

14.1. Personal data will be processed solely for:

  • administering the Competition;
  • contacting Entrants;
  • awarding prizes;
  • Competition-related publicity where consent or legitimate interests apply.

14.2. Entrants may opt in to receive marketing communications and may withdraw consent at any time.

14.3. Personal data will be processed in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation and BSO’s Privacy Policy.

 

15. Disqualification

15.1. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any Entry which:

  • breaches these Terms and Conditions;
  • contains false or misleading information;
  • is suspected of plagiarism, manipulation or fraud;
  • undermines the fairness or integrity of the Competition.

15.2 The Promoter reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any Entry that contains material which it considers to be offensive, inappropriate, discriminatory, defamatory, or otherwise contrary to the spirit and values of the Competition.

 

16. Liability

16.1. The Promoter and Sponsor accept no responsibility for:

  • technical failures;
  • corrupted uploads;
  • lost Entries;
  • inability to receive prizes.

16.2. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Promoter and Sponsor exclude liability for loss, damage or injury arising from participation in the Competition.

16.3. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot legally be excluded.

 

17. Amendments and Cancellation

17.1. The Promoter reserves the right to:

  • amend these Terms and Conditions;
  • suspend;
  • cancel;
  • modify; or
  • withdraw the Competition

where reasonably necessary.

17.2. Any updates will be published on the Competition Website.

 

18. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the Entrant and the Promoter in relation to the Competition.