The competition is open to non-professional instrumentalists to share the music they love to play. Music entered can be of any style or genre and will be judged by a panel of music experts. Quite simply, we want to hear your music, your way!
There are three age categories spanning 18-24, 25-39, and 40 plus, and the competition is free to enter. Thanks to sponsor Lark Music it also boasts an impressive £1000 prize for each category, allowing winners to further fund their creativity. Entrants are simply required to submit one short video of three minutes long.
The line up of judges this year includes broadcaster and writer Tom Service, guitarist Dagan Wilkin, and presenter Helen Arney, amongst others. They’ll be looking for performances that move them – with performances which display confidence and control, notes and rhythms that feel clear and intentional, and musicians at ease with their instruments.
The BSO’s Chief Executive, Dougie Scarfe OBE says the competition exists “to get people creating music – to pick up a new instrument, or revisit an old one, and simply start playing.”
Lark Music Insurance’s Partnership Account Executive, Brian Hillstead, says, “At Lark Music, we believe that musicians should be able to focus on what they love – making music […] Whether you’re playing for discovery, connection, or joy — this is your moment to be heard and celebrated.”
Who won the BSO Music-Making Competition last year?
Pianist Amy Jerman won the 18-24 category with a performance of a composition for solo piano. The Starling was described by judges as “cinematic” and “incredibly well written”. A student from Wareham, Amy is a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose love of music began aged 14 on receiving a saxophone. Jerman’s compositions have been awarded prizes by Bloomington Symphony (Indiana, US), Gonville & Caius, and MuseScore.
Harpist Llewella White, from London, won the 25-39 category with her work for solo harp, Murmuration. Judges commented that it was “beautiful to listen to” and was performed with “poise and confidence”. White, who works as a counsellor and a manager, began to learn the harp as a student and has recently been working on a solo album.
Guitarist Rob Johnston won the 40+ category. Judges described his piece as “engaging” and a “joyful controlled explosion of creativity and virtuosity”. Johnston, a former art teacher from Southsea, Hampshire, has enjoyed a long and varied journey with music and plays guitar, piano, accordion and percussion. He has played in folk clubs, music venues and at various festivals and events around the South of England and told us he planned to use his prize money to fund a recording.
To hear the winning entries from last year click here
To find out more about the competition and to apply click here