Berkshire Young Musician of the Year – Singing Competition 2026

The Berkshire Young Singer of the Year competition is back for 2026. Berkshire Music Trust, in partnership with Windsor Festival and Bradfield College, is this year running a competition for singers to showcase their talent and win prizes alongside others of a similar age. This competition is open to young singers in a range of categories and ages.

Competitors will follow a three stage process of round one, semi-final and final. The live concert final for will take place at The Old Court in Windsor.

Semi Final – LIVE Sunday 8 February 2026 – Bradfield College

Final – LIVE Sunday 29 March 2026 – The Old Court, Windsor

Entry is open to any student aged 18 or under on 22 March 2026 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:

Categories:

– Classical – Year group 3-6

– Classical – Year group 7-9

– Classical – Year group 10-11

– Classical – Year group 12-13

– Musical Theatre – Year group 3-6

– Musical Theatre – Year group 7-9

– Musical Theatre – Year group 10-11

– Musical Theatre – Year group 12-13

– Pop & Rock – Year group 3-6

– Pop & Rock – Year group 7-9

– Pop & Rock – Year group 10-11

– Pop & Rock – Year group 12-13

– Folk – Year group 3-6

– Folk – Year group 7-9

– Folk – Year group 10-11

– Folk – Year group 12-13

Costings:

– 1 category – £15

– 2 categories – £20

– 3 categories – £30

– 4 categories – £40

TITLES AND PRIZES:

Titles:

– Berkshire Young Singer of the Year 2026

– 3 x age category winners (any genre) (folk, MT, Rock/Pop and Classical)

– Judges Highly Commended

Prizes:

– In every round every pupil will get one piece of written feedback from a judge

– Semi-final participants will get a certificate & written feedback

– Final – Certificates & written feedback for category winners, highly commended and overall winner

– Final – Plaques for the age category winners x 3

– Final – The overall winner will receive the title of Berkshire Young Singer of the Year 2026, the Berkshire Young Singer Trophy, along with feedback, a certificate and a future performance opportunity

ACCOMPANISTS:

For the 1st round video entry:

– You may perform unaccompanied, accompanied or with a backing track for any category. (Folk must be unaccompanied)

For the semi final and final:

– Classical and musical theatre categories will be required to have an accompanist play for you. We will be in contact with you with more information on this soon.

– Folk category must be unaccompanied

– For the Pop & Rock category you may use a backing track

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.

Windsor Festival is grateful for support from Content Guru.

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.