These competitions are for larger instrumental ensembles and smaller chamber music groups, consisting of any combination of instruments, including strings, wind, brass, and piano.  This section will be held in the Free Church, Hampstead Garden Suburb.   Please see the syllabus (via link on right or below) for more details of the 2024 classes.

A £50 voucher from Stringers of London will be awarded to each player in the most outstanding string ensemble of up to eight players.

A £50 cash prize, donated by Hilary Sturt, will be awarded to the viola player who makes the most outstanding contribution to their group’s performance.

A £50 cash prize, in memory of David Angel, will be awarded to the second violinist who makes the most outstanding contribution to their group’s performance.

Competition Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to all the Festival’s chamber music, ensemble, and folk music competitions, unless otherwise noted.

These competitions should be entered online via the Festival’s website.   The Closing Date is Friday 1st March.

For each entry depending on age, age is the age on 1st September in the year prior to the Festival so that all the entrants in a class are in the same school year.

Entrants are reminded to introduce themselves and the piece(s) they are playing and to wear dress appropriate for a performance.

Except for folk music and world music, entrants must provide the Adjudicator with a clean copy of the music for each work to be performed.

Pieces may not be repeated in different competitions.

If an entrant has been a pupil of the Adjudicator in the year prior to the Festival or is well-known to the Adjudicator, they should contact the Section Head before entering.

For full details of these classes,  read the Large Ensembles and Chamber Music Syllabus via the link to the right or below.

Please click on the “How to Apply” link below for help on entering and for hints on creating an effective video performance. The first time that you use the new entry system, you will need to register.  Entrants must also upload copies of the music.

If an entrant has been a pupil of the Adjudicator in the year prior to the Festival or is well-known to the Adjudicator, they should contact the Section Administrator before entering.