Berkshire Young Musician of the Year 2027 – Brass and Woodwind

The Berkshire Young Musician of the Year competition is back for 2027. Berkshire Music Trust, in partnership with Windsor Festival and Bradfield College, is this year running a competition for woodwind and brass players to showcase their talent and win prizes alongside others of a similar age.

Instruments accepted:

Brass = Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, French Horn, Tenor Horn, Baritone, Euphonium

Woodwind = Clarinet, Flute, Bassoon, Oboe, Saxophone, Recorder

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.

Deadline for video entries – 5pm, Friday 27th November 2026

Semi final – Sunday 7th February 2027 (at Bradfield College)

Final – Sunday 21st March 2027 (at The Old Court in Windsor)

APPLY HERE

Please apply via the link above and send your video entry to bymadmin@berksmusictrust.org.uk

Entry to the competition is open to any student aged 18 or under on 21 March 2027 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

CATEGORIES & COST:

• Junior – Ages 11 and under = £16.00

• Intermediate – Ages 12 – 15 = £18.00

• Senior – Ages 16 – 18 = £20.00
(The age of the competitor on Sunday 21st March 2027)

PIECE TIMINGS:

1^st round – One piece performed via a video entry (accompanied or not):

• Junior – Ages 11 and under = 1 piece lasting no longer than 4 minutes

• Intermediate – Ages 12 – 15 = 1 piece lasting no longer than 5 minutes

• Senior – Ages 16 – 18 = 1 piece lasting no longer than 6 minutes

Semi-final and final

If successful, students will be contacted regarding piece requirements for the next rounds.

TITLES AND PRIZES:

• All entries will receive feedback from a panel of judges.

• All semi finalists will receive feedback and a certificate.

• All finalists will receive feedback from a panel of judges.

• Trophy/plaque for the category winners (6 winners).

• Judges highly commended will receive a certificate (2 winners).

• The overall winner will receive the Berkshire Young Musician of the Year trophy plus a certificate and high-profile performance opportunity.

ACCOMPANISTS:

• All participants must arrange their own accompanists for the semi-final and final. For the first round students can be accompanied in their video entries or not. It is up to them and will not affect their marking.

Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details of entry requirements.

Financial support is available if you would find it difficult to meet the cost of the registration fee. If you are already in receipt of Income Support, Job Seeker’s Allowance (income based only), Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits or Universal Credit, you can request funding support by providing us with proof of the benefit you are receiving. If your child is entitled to Pupil Premium you can request help along with your child’s school submitting confirmation to us of the entitlement.

We would also like to thank Bradfield College for their partnership in this competition and for them providing us with a venue to hold the semi finals.