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Berkshire Young Musician of the Year – Brass, Percussion & Guitar Competition 2025
The Berkshire Young Musician of the Year competition is back for 2025. Berkshire Music Trust, in partnership with Windsor Festival and Bradfield College, is this year running a competition for all BRASS, PERCUSSION and GUITAR players to showcase their talent and win prizes alongside others of a similar age.
This competition is open to young players of:
BRASS:
- Brass – Trumpet
- Brass – Trombone
- Brass – Tuba
- Brass – French Horn
- Brass – Baritone
- Brass – Cornet
- Brass – Flugel Horn
- Brass – Tenor Horn
- Brass – Euphonium
PERCUSSION
- Percussion – Drum Kit
- Percussion – Orchestral Percussion
GUITAR:
- Guitar – Classical/Acoustic Guitar
- Guitar – Electric Guitar
- Guitar – Bass Guitar
Competitors will follow a three stage process of round one, semi-final and final. The live concert final will take place at The Old Court in Windsor.
First round – Video entries submitted by Monday 2 December 2024 – 5pm
Semi Final – LIVE Sunday 19th January 2025 – Bradfield College
Final – LIVE Sunday 30th March 2025 – The Old Court, Windsor
Send your video entries by 5:00pm Monday 2 December 2024
HOW TO APPLY:
Entry to the competition is open to any student aged 18 or under on 30th March 2025 who can tick at least one of the following criteria:
– A permanent resident of Berkshire
– Attending a school within Berkshire
– Currently receiving instrumental tuition within the county of Berkshire
AGE CATEGORIES :
Junior – Ages 11 & under – Entry fee for this category is £18.50
Intermediate – Ages 12 to 15 – Entry fee for this category is £21.50
Senior – Ages 16 to 18 –Entry fee for this category is £23.50
Booking fees apply
PIECE TIMINGS:
BRASS:
- Juniors (Ages 11 & under) = 1 piece lasting no longer than 4 minutes
- Intermediate (Ages 12 – 15) = 1 piece lasting no longer than 5 minutes 30 seconds
- Senior (Ages 16 – 18) = 1 piece lasting no longer than 7 minutes
PERCUSSION:
- Juniors (Ages 11 & under) = 1 piece lasting no longer than 4 minutes
- Intermediate (Ages 12 – 15) = 1 piece lasting no longer than 5 minutes 30 seconds
- Senior (Ages 16 – 18) = 1 piece lasting no longer than 7 minutes
GUITAR:
- Juniors (Ages 11 & under) = 1 piece lasting no longer than 3 minutes
- Intermediate (Ages 12 – 15) = 1 piece lasting no longer than 4 minutes
- Senior (Ages 16 – 18) = 1 piece lasting no longer than 5 minutes
APPLY here for the Berkshire Young Musician Competition
and PAY your entry fee here
After you have completed the form and paid your entry fees please submit your video entry (see the guidelines below) and send an email containing the video link AND a copy/scan of the piece you are playing to bymadmin@berksmusictrust.org.uk by 5:00pm Monday 2 December 2024
Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details of entry requirements.
Video guidelines
We have made the first round of entry as easy as possible through a video entry system so please see our advice below on how to record and upload your video. Please read the information carefully before submitting your video to us, should you have any further questions, please contact us via email on bymadmin@berkshiremaestros.org.uk
When do I submit my entry?
Links to video entries must be submitted via email by 5:00pm Monday 2 December 2024. You should not exceed the time limits specified for your entered age category.
What if I don’t have access to a video camera?
Most smart phones and tablets now have good video recording capabilities should you not have access to a video camera. However, should you have any particular difficulties then please do contact us and we can try to assist as much as possible.
Does my video entry need to be performed with an accompanist?
No it doesn’t. We would always encourage entries with piano or backing track where appropriate, however the judging panel will not penalise video entries without accompaniment. Do see our Terms and conditions for guidelines on accompaniment in the later rounds.
How do I upload my entry?
Depending on how you recorded your video the upload process will be different. If you would like some guidance on how to upload your video, have a look at this video here.
Do I have to use YouTube?
There are various other websites now available to upload and view videos such as Vimeo. However, if it is your first time using one of these services then we would suggest YouTube as most information on how to post and share a video is based around that. You will need an account with whichever service you choose to upload your video entry with.
I don’t want my entry viewable to the public – how do I prevent this?
YouTube has multiple privacy options available. For us to be able to view your video you will need to set your recording to either ‘Public’ or ‘Unlisted’. ‘Public’ means the video will be able to be found and viewed by anyone online via a YouTube or internet search. ‘Unlisted’ however will not be able to be found via search options but can be viewed by those you have shared the video with via the link provided to you by YouTube, meaning you can share your entry with us without anyone else being able to search for it.
I’ve uploaded my video, now what?
Please email the sharable link of your video to bymadmin@berkshiremaestros.org.uk .
In the subject line please include the words “Video Entry” followed by the candidate’s name and age as of 30th March 2025. For example:
Video Entry: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Age 10
Don’t forget to attach a scanned copy of the music being performed in the video along with the video link.
Videos must be submitted by 5:00pm Sunday 2 December 2024.
Prizes and feedback:
– All first round entrants will receive written feedback on their performance from the panel of judges.
– Semi-final participants will receive feedback and a certificate.
– Category winners in brass, percussion and guitar will receive feedback, a certificate and a plaque.
– Judges Highly Commended for Brass, Percussion and Guitar will receive a certificate
– The overall winner will receive the title of Berkshire Young Musician of the Year 2025, the Berkshire Young Musician Trophy, along with feedback, a certificate and a future performance opportunity.
We are grateful for the support from Windsor Festival in running the competition. Windsor Festival invites the world’s finest musicians, writers, artists, and local performers to entertain and delight festival audiences, to celebrate Windsor’s special place as a Royal town, and to inspire the next generation of artistic talent and creativity.
Also we would like to thank Bradfield College for their partnership in this competition and for them providing us with a venue to hold the semi finals.
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