Brent Young Musician 2026

Brent Young Musician of the Year is open to all students aged between 13 and 18 on 31st August 2026 and of MINIMUM Grade 4 standard or equivalent.

All entrants must fulfill at least one of the following criteria:

-        Be a current resident of Brent

-        Attend a school or college in Brent

-        Attend a BMS Ensemble

All vocalists, instrumentalists, genres and musical traditions are welcome.

Round 1 - Submit A Short Recording

Please complete the application at Brent Young Musician of the Year 2026

after uploading a recording of yourself to youtube (as an unlisted item), performing one piece of music no less than 2.5 minutes and no more than 6 minutes in length by 6pm on Friday 28th November 2025.

• You will need a Google account to submit your entry.

• You can submit either an audio only or a video performance.

• You may perform to a backing track or with an accompanist if the piece requires it and if an accompanist is available to you. If the piece has large gaps where the soloist is not playing, these sections should be omitted.

• You will also need to upload a copy of the score. 

If your music is from a tradition which does not use notation, a written explanation of the piece should be given in lieu of a score. Please ask for more information or guidance if this applies to you before submission.

• Please clearly label all your files with your name and the title of the music.

• A panel of BMS staff will select entrants to progress to Round 2 of the competition.

Round 2 - Workshop/Masterclass 

The workshop/masterclass will be held on Sunday 8th February 2026. This will be led by professional musicians/educators and attended by a member of BMS staff.

• You should be prepared to play two contrasting pieces totaling no more than 8 minutes of music. 

• You will be allowed to use different instruments from the same family (e.g. alto and tenor sax, electric guitar and acoustic guitar, B flat trumpet and piccolo trumpet) but not two completely different instruments.

• BMS will provide a piano accompanist for the workshop if required. You may opt to bring your own accompanist should you wish, or if your accompaniment is not suitable for piano and you require an alternative instrument. 

• The workshop/masterclass is designed to be a supportive, educational experience which will allow young musicians to learn from their peers and refine performance skills.

• Entrants will be selected to progress to the final based on performance and engagement in the workshop/masterclass.

Round 3 - Final Performance

There will be a final performance event with an audience held at St Claudine's Harlesden on Wednesday 25th March 2026.

• You will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces of your choice. 

• You must perform the same pieces of music submitted in Round 2 for the workshop/masterclass or pieces of an equivalent standard agreed in advance

• The music must be accompanied if the piece requires it.  If you are unable to find or pay for your own accompanist, we can help you. 

• There will be rehearsal time available on the day. More details will follow nearer the time.

• The final will be adjudicated by at least one guest judge from outside BMS and a member of BMS staff.

• All recordings submitted in Round 1 must be unedited.

• The quality of the technology used to create your audio or video recordings will not be taken into consideration.

• The decision of the judges is final.

• All entries must be made using the entry application form by 6pm on Friday 28 November 2025. NO ENTRIES CAN BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS TIME.

• Receipt of a completed entry form implies acceptance of the rules. The organisers reserve the right to legislate on any point arising which is not provided for in these rules.

• If it is not possible to hold the final or workshop/masterclass in person, we will hold them remotely.

• The prize money can only be used for the further musical education of the prize winners. Allowable use of the prize money includes assistance with the purchase of an instrument, attendance at residential courses or to purchase a series of extra lessons. Money will only be made payable to a recognised teacher, course organiser or instrument retailer. Money cannot be paid directly to the competitor or the competitor’s family.

• We would expect that performers on instrument or voice should be approximately MINIMUM Grade 4 or above standard or equivalent.

• Please watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeruPtOF-oY&feature=youtu.be for guidelines on how to video yourself.