This contest is intended for young musicians of a high standard (at least Grade 8 or equivalent), including those aiming towards, or just beginning, a professional career in music.  Any of the prizes awarded should be used for their musical development.   

Contestants should be between the ages of 18 and 24 years inclusive on 31 December 2024 and currently resident in the United Kingdom.  

Contestants should submit a programme of maximum 15 minutes’ duration. This does not include breaks between pieces or any spoken introducations.  Pieces chosen must not be played in any other part of the Huddersfield Mrs Sunderland Festival 2025.  Credit will be given for a balanced and varied selection of pieces.  

The winner will be announced at the end of the Contest and will be required to play part of his or her programme at the Last Night of the Festival Concert in Huddersfield Town Hall on Saturday 22 February 2025 when the prize cheque and trophy will be awarded to the winner  

NB Failure to appear at the Last Night of the Festival Concert on the final Saturday may result in forfeiture of the prize.  

Accompanists  -  Contestants are encouraged to bring their own accompanist.  If they are unable to do so, they may ask to use the services of the Festival’s official Accompanist.  In this case, a fee may be payable for any rehearsal time, though not for the actual performance.  

The Festival’s official Accompanist is Jonathan Fisher.  He works with instrumentalists, singers and chamber groups, covering a huge spectrum of repertoire from the early baroque to the present day.  He is Pianist-in-Residence at the University of Huddersfield, and Staff Pianist at the Royal Northern College of Music.  

Full details concerning music copying can be found in the Huddersfield Mrs Sunderland Festival Syllabus under Festival Rules 6) Copyright Regulations). Photocopies will only be accepted if presented in a fully legible condition, properly attached and labelled. The original piece of music must be brought on the day of the contest.  

Entries for the 2025 Contest are limited to the first 20 eligible applications which must be received by 12 noon on Saturday 9 November 2024  

The acceptance of any entry is at the discretion of the Organisers. Any candidate whose entry is not accepted will be informed as soon as possible after the closing date.    

Entry Fee - entry forms must be accompanied by the entry fee of £31 In the event of a candidate’s withdrawal from the contest the entry fee will not be refunded.  

Fees may be paid by BACS transfer as follows: The account name is “The Mrs Sunderland Music Festival” 

                                                     The Sort Code is 40 08 59 

                                                    The account number is 70022268 

                                                 Please use your Surname as the Reference for the payment 

For any further information, please contact the Young Musician of the Year organiser :  

Richard Buxton, 34 Fir Road, Huddersfield HD1 4JE  (01484 301291 ; [email protected])  

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