Welcome to Southport Young Musicians Competition! 2026
Everything you need to know about Southport Young Musicans Competition 2026:
What was our Inspiration for producing this Competition?
With the closure of the ‘Southport Music Festival’, we felt it was time to create something new - a modern, inclusive music competition for young people in our area. The Southport Young Musicians Competition is here to offer exactly that: a platform to perform, receive feedback, gain confidence, and be inspired.
We believe in celebrating the incredible young talent across Southport and beyond. Whether you’re here to compete, perform, or just take part for the experience, this is a welcoming and accessible opportunity for local children and teens to shine.
This competition is designed for musicians and singers up to the age of 21. Open to all local children and teenagers, the competition will take place every two years and is aimed at giving young performers a chance to:
• Showcase their talent in a public performance.
• Receive constructive and encouraging feedback from qualified judges in a private audition- style setting
• Earn certificates and potentially trophies
• Gain valuable performance experience
The highest scorers in each category of each age group have the chance to go through to 'The Southport Young Musicians Final ' on Saturday the 11th of July 2026, where trophies will be awarded and it will also be a showcase of our brightest talented youngsters in Southport!
This event is to be held at The Grand, attended by the Mayor of Sefton, Southport's MP and opened by the Southport Town Crier. Tickets will be available for this final nearer the time!
This year, we are proud to announce that all proceeds will be donated to Elsie’s Story - a truly meaningful cause. We are also honoured to be supported by our sponsor, EFT Group.
Details:
Audition Dates:
1. Sunday 31st May (10-6pm)
2. Sunday 14th June (10-6pm)
Auditions all held at the Waterfront Hotel, Southport
Bootcamp - for finalists : Sunday 28th of June at the Temperance Institute, Southport.
How to Enter:
Simply tick your available date or dates and choose morning or when afternoon when filling out the Google entry form (link below).
You’ll be notified of your audition date and time via email.
Entry Period:
Wednesday 1st April – Sunday 13th of June 2026
If you’re unable to attend either of the set dates, please email us and we’ll do our best to arrange an alternative :
southportyoungmusicians@gmail.com
Age Categories:
All categories are open to the following age groups:
. 8 and under
. 9 - 12
. 13- 16
. 17-20
Please Note - All Entrants much be still under 21 on the date of their audition.
Audition Categories:
Piano:
• Classical
• Alternative piano ( all styles other than classical )
Singing:
• Musical Theatre
• Pop
• Opera
• Jazz & Alternative Styles
Guitar:
• Classical
• Electric
• Bass
Instrumentalists:
• Brass
• Strings
• Woodwind
Young Bands:
Any style — as long as all members are under 21!
Drumming - must bring your own drum kit
Alternative Styles:
• Beatboxing
• Rapping
• Composition (on any instrument)
• Ensemble (singing or any combination of instruments)
Important Note for Singers and instrumentalists:
Please bring your own backing track or accompanist.
Expect a fantastic competition complete with certificates, marking & feedback on the day , plenty of press coverage, culminating in an awards evening with amazing performances, trophies and a fantastic prize for the overall winner.
Finalists Of the Young Musicians may be offered the opportunity to perform in the annual “Mayor’s Charity Arts Gala” at The Prince of Wales Hotel Ballroom in October.
Meet the Judges:
We are extremely proud and honoured to have a diverse and highly qualified panel of 12 judges from Southport’s music and theatre community: There will be no more than 3-4 judges for each audition, all marking using the same strict criteria.
*Julie Ann Carr - Organist, Pianist, Singer, teacher & musical theatre coach.
*Dan Mansfield - Director of Music at Holy Trinity, Southport, organist, choir master & piano tutor.
*Sue Dexter - Ex Southport Music Festival Chair, High School Performing Arts Teacher, Current Chair of 'Sing For Sefton' & Southport Young Arts Secretary.
*Claire Williams - 'Singing For Lung Health' Leader,Piano & singing teacher & accompanist.
*Claire Kelly - Founder of Southport Young Musicians, Southport Piano Academy, Birkdale’s Got Talent, The Mayors Charity Arts Gala, piano teacher, theatre critic, events host & news writer.
*Jon Taylor - Former Resident pianist at 'The Grand', Southport,DJ, singer, teacher, accompanist and 'The King of improv!'
*Deborah Bloom - Founder of Ignite Drama, head of drama at Greenbank High School, director, actor & singer.
*Karen Finch Edge - Owner of ACT Children’s Theatre Company, dancer and director, including for SONG shows.
*Sarah Louise Wearden - Principal of Pauline Quirke Academy, piano, singing & drama teacher in secondary school.
*Jacqui Lewis - Founder of So Talented, musical director, singer & radio host.
*Jenny Wren - Jenny Wren - Consultant for Sefton Music Service, primary teacher, vocal coach, original artist, performer, song writer & multi- instrumentalist. (Vocalist, clarinet, piano, saxophone, guitar.)
*Caroline Derbeyshire - Founder of Carousel Music & Movement, and the Atkinson/ Southport wellbeing choir, songwriter, piano/singing teacher & founder of CD Music.)
How to Enter:
1. Complete the Google Entry Form here! No need for a printer!
2. Select the category (or categories - you can enter more than one!) that you would like to enter.
3. Choose your available audition dates.
4. Email your completed form to:
southportyoungmusicians@gmail.com
• Please bring a spare copy of any sheet music you are playing or singing for the judging panel on the day of your audition.
• Please bring your backing track music on a device (if you are singing or playing along) that can be linked via Bluetooth to a speaker (which we will provide in the audition room.)
Let’s Shine a Spotlight on Southport’s Young Talent!
Let’s encourage the next generation of Southport musicians to let their light shine. Whether you’re a singer, pianist, instrumentalist, rapper, or composer - we want to hear from you.
Again - if you have any questions, please email us at southportyoungmusicians@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to hear you perform!
