Bewdley Festival is holding its tenth annual Wyre Forest Young Musician of the Year competition for young musicians
who are in education and who either live in, or attend school, 6th form or college in the Wyre Forest district.
The competition is open to young people with a minimum age of 12 and a maximum age of 18 as of 31 December 2025.
It all takes place during the evening of Saturday 14th March 2026, with Category Winners and the Young Musician of the Year
being chosen on the night (qualifying heats will be held during the afternoon if required).
Tickets
Over the past nine years it has been a privilege to be in the audience for this remarkable event, and we expect our tenth year will be no exception! To join this year's audience, click here
2025 Winners & Judges
Competition Categories
Classical Music
Solo Instrumentalist (non-classical)
Solo Singer (accompanied or unaccompanied)
Group (two or more members, acoustic or amplified)
Competition Prizes
Best Young Musician aged 14 or under (as at 31 December 2025)
Best Original Composition
The Wyre Forest Young Musician of the Year (which includes automatic entry into the 2027 Rotary district competition)
In addition, each entrant will receive a prize of £50 courtesy of Bewdley Rotary Club
Competition Rules & Information
Competitors will perform one piece of their own choice with a maximum performance time of 4 minutes.
Competitors may perform from memory or from sheet music.
Where possible, solo competitors should be accompanied by a single instrument in sympathy with the performance; vocalists may accompany themselves. CD backing tracks may be used if no accompanist is available.
Competitors can enter more than one category.
Competitors performing their own composition will automatically be entered for the Best Original Composition prize.
Acoustic and electronic pianos will be provided for competitors or their accompanists.
A drum kit and amplifiers will be provided for competitors using electric/bass guitars guitars.
Competitors should wherever possible provide their own accompanists (should this prove difficult please contact theorganisers).
The competition will be open to the viewing public, and all competitors are encouraged to bring supporters and to stay and support their fellow competitors.
Entry forms can be downloaded from the link below, and should be sent to the Bewdley Festival Office.
Entries not sent through the school or college attended by the entrant will be verified with the educational establishment
Entry to the Evening event will be £7 for adults and free for those aged under 19 or those currently in education (tickets can be obtained here).
Please send completed entry forms by Monday 16th February 2026 to:
Youth Music Competition
Bewdley Festival, St George’s Hall, Load Street, Bewdley, DY12 2EQ
eMail: admin@bewdleyfestival.org.uk
Thank you to our Bewdley Festival Supporters
