Definitions

Competition:The Lark Music-Making Competition launched by Bournemouth Symphony in association with Lark Music.

Promoter: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), a registered charity (Charity Registered No.208520) with registered address 2, Seldown Lane BH15 1UF.

Prize Sponsor: Lark Music, a trading name of Howden UK Brokers Limited (company number 02831010), with registered office at One Creechurch Place, London EC3A 5AF – and Corporate Partner of the BSO.

Entrant(s): Those individuals submitting videos of their own solo instrumental performances as a part of the Competition.

Entry or Entries: Uploaded videos of solo instrumental performances on the official BSO Competition website page.

Competition website page – www.bsolive.com/lark

Competition Opening Date: 10:00 on Wednesday 21 May 2025

Competition Closing Date: 23:59 on Wednesday 25 June 2025

 

1. Eligibility

1.1. The Competition is open to amateur musicians aged 18 years or over on 25 June 2025 who reside in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).

1.2. Employees and immediate family members of the Promoter (Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra) or of Lark Music (the Prize Sponsor) are not eligible to enter the Competition. For the avoidance of doubt, this exclusion applies only to employees directly employed by Lark Music, and does not extend to employees of other entities within the Howden Group..

1.3. Only one (1) entry to the Competition per person is permitted.

1.4. Only instrumental performances are eligible for entry. Entries that include vocals or singing — either solo or accompanied — will not be considered.

1.5. Entries sent to the Promoter by any other channel other than through the official Competition website page will not be considered.

 

2. How to Enter

2.1. To enter the Competition, participants must:

    • Go to the official BSO Competition webpage bsolive.com/lark
    • Complete the Competition registration form.
    • Submit a video of a solo music instrumental performance inspired by birds or birdsong. using the upload facility on the Competition website page.
    • Entrants must use the same email address for the required registration form and music entries.

2.2. Entries must be:

    • A solo instrumental performance performed by the Entrant.
    • Inspired by birds or birdsong.
    • No longer than 3 minutes in duration.
    • In an accepted video format (e.g. MP4, MOV).
    • Be an original performance by the Entrant.

2.3. Entries may feature any instrument — including acoustic, electronic, or digital instruments and any genre of music.

2.4. Vocal performances (including singing, spoken word, or any use of the voice) are not permitted and will be disqualified.

2.5. The Promoter must receive all Competition Entries through the specified method by no later than 23.59 on the Closing Date.

2.6. All Competition Entries received after the Closing Date are automatically disqualified.

2.7. Late, incomplete, corrupted, forged or tampered entries will be disqualified.

2.8. No purchase is necessary to enter the Competition.

2.9. The Promoter will not accept responsibility for Competition Entries that are lost, mislaid, damaged or delayed. regardless of cause, including, for example, as a result of any equipment failure, technical malfunction, systems, satellite, network, server, computer hardware or software failure of any kind.

 

3. Judging and Selection of Winners

3.1. Entries will be judged by a panel selected by BSO, including BSO affiliates and representatives from the Prize Sponsor.

3.2. There are three age categories: 18–24 years, 25–39 years and 40+ years

3.3. Entries from each age category will be judged based on:

3.3.1. Musical Enjoyment: We’re not looking for perfection—just music that’s enjoyable and leaves an impression.
3.3.2. Connection & Expression: We’ll be looking for performances that feel expressive, engaging, and show your personality.
3.3.3. Your Unique Take: Whether it’s a fresh twist on a classic, an unusual instrument, or a creative setting, we love originality, that’s what we’re looking for.

3.4. The decision of the judges is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

3.5. For any questions or complaints regarding this Competition, please email lark@bsorchestra.co.uk

 

4. Distribution of Prizes

4.1. There will be three winners (one per age category), each receiving the following Prizes:

4.1.1. £1,000 cash prize
4.1.2. A free subscription to BSO’s 25/26 Digital Concert Series

4.2. Up to 9 additional finalists from each age category will also win a free subscription to BSO’s 25/26 Digital Concert Series.

4.3. The Prizes are not negotiable, refundable or transferable. The winner shall comply with any additional terms and conditions and/or exclusions which may apply to the Prizes.

4.4. The Promoter will contact the winners via the contact information provided in the Competition registration form, completion of which, is required in order to successfully submit Entries.

4.5. The Entrant will not amend contact information after submitting the Competition registration form and Entry.

4.6. Winners will be contacted via the contact details provided on the Competition registration form within 30 working days of the Closing Date.

4.7. The Promoter will make all reasonable efforts to contact the winner. If the winner cannot be contacted or has not claimed their Prize within 15 (fifteen) days of being notified, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant selected from the correct entries received before the Closing Date. The Promoter accepts no responsibility if you cannot take up the Prize. The Prize may not be claimed by a third party on your behalf.

4.8. If you object to any or all of your surname, county and winning entry being published, please contact the Promoter. In such circumstances, in accordance with the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code), the Promoter may still provide the information to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on request.

 

5. Rights & Permissions

5.1. By entering the Competition, Entrants grant The Promoter and Prize Sponsor a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use their Entries for promotional and publicity purposes related to the Competition. This includes, but is not limited to:

    • Promoting the Competition (current or future editions).
    • Showcasing shortlisted finalists and final winners across all age categories.
    • Social media posts and digital announcements.
    • Press releases and media outreach.
    • Features on The Promoter and Prize Sponsor websites and other digital platforms.

5.2. Any such use will credit the Entrant wherever reasonably possible.

5.3. Entrants confirm that they hold the necessary rights to their performance and any original composition included, and that their submission does not infringe the rights of any third party.

5.4. Entrants retain full ownership of their original recordings and compositions.

 

6. Data Protection & Privacy

6.1. The Promoter will collect and process personal data (e.g., name, email address, phone number) solely for the purposes of administering the Competition, contacting Entrants and winners and distribution of prizes.

6.2. For prize fulfilment only, necessary payment details of winners will be securely shared with the Promoter. Financial information will not be stored by The Promoter once prizes have been distributed.

6.3. Entrants will also have the option to receive occasional updates from The Promoter about future competitions, events or opportunities. Entrants who provide this consent may be contacted via email.

6.4. Entrants will have the option to opt in to receive future marketing communications from The Promoter. Those who opt in may withdraw their consent at any time.

6.5 For more information, please see BSO’s Privacy Policy

6.6. Entrants can withdraw their consent or unsubscribe from communications at any time by following the instructions in the message or by contacting the Promoter directly.

 

7. Disqualification

7.1. The Promoter reserves the right to, at its sole discretion, exclude or disqualify any Entrant whose conduct is contrary to the spirit or intention of the Competition, who is in breach of these terms and conditions, who submits offensive or inappropriate material or attempts to manipulate or tamper with the Entry process.

7.2. The Promoter reserves the right to request proof of age and residency to confirm eligibility.

 

8. Liability

8.1 The Promoter accepts no responsibility for:

    • Technical issues affecting entry submission
    • Lost or corrupted files
    • Inability of a winner to accept or receive a prize

8.2. By entering, participants release The Promoter, its affiliates and Prize Sponsor from any liability arising from the Competition, except where liability cannot be excluded by law.

8.3. Insofar as is permitted by law, the Promoter, its affiliates or Prize Sponsor will not in any circumstances be responsible or liable to compensate any entrant to the Competition or accept any liability for any direct or indirect loss and/or damage occurring as a result of participating in the Competition, including but not limited to, taking up the Prizes. Your statutory rights are not affected.

 

9. Amendments & Cancellation

9.1. The Promoter reserves the right to hold, void, suspend, cancel, or amend the Competition where necessary. Any changes will be announced on the official Competition webpage.

9.2. In the event of a discrepancy between these terms and conditions and the provisions of any promotional material relating to the Competition, the provisions in these terms and conditions will prevail.

9.3. If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

 

10. Governing Law

These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales, and the parties will submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

 

11. Entire Agreement

These terms and conditions constitute the entire agreement between the Promoter and the Entrant and supersede any prior agreements, communications, or understandings, whether oral or written.