Instrumental Chamber Music, Ensemble and Folk Music Competitions

This section will be held in the Free Church, Hampstead Garden Suburb

Download the section syllabus 2023 Syllabus – Chamber Music & Ensembles

Large Groups, Ensembles and Chamber Music Competitions – 2pm, Saturday 4 May 2024

These competitions are for larger instrumental ensembles and smaller chamber music groups, consisting of any combination of instruments, including strings, wind, brass, and piano.

  • Classes 500 to 502 are for Chamber Ensembles with 8 or fewer players, one per part, no conductor
  • Classes 503 to 506 are for Duets,Trios or Quartets – one or more movements from a work with one player per part, no conductor
  • Classes 507 to 510 are for Chamber Ensembles with 5 or more players, with one or more per part. One or two pieces. These classes may include an adult piano accompanist and/or conductor.
  • Class 511 – Any age and up to 50 players. Time limit 15 minutes. This is non-competitive and to celebrate music making. All participants will receive a North London Festival medal.  The group may include an adult piano accompanist and/or a conductor. Two or more pieces should be played.
  • Classes 512 and 513 are for orchestras and large ensembles of up to 30 players. A shield may be awarded to the highest marked ensemble from either these classes or the Folk Music class 515.  The group may include an adult piano accompanist and/or a conductor. Two or more pieces should be played.
  • The maximum number of players is 50 for 511 and 30 for 512 and 513. If you wish to enter a larger group than these limits, please first contact the section head.
  • Class 514 – Any age. A solo performance of one or more pieces of folk music or world music. Time limit 8 minutes.
  • Class 515 – Any age. A performance by a group of up to six players of one or more pieces of folk music. Any combination of instruments. Time limit 15 minutes.

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 tbc

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.

Sign-up to our newsletter to receive the latest news about the festival

Section
Class
First Competitor's Name
(as it will appear in programme)
Date of birth (if under 18)
(please use DD/MM/YYYY format) *

I am over 18.

Instrument / voice
(not required for speech and drama entries)
Second Competitor's Name
(where applicable)
Date of birth (if under 18)
(please use DD/MM/YYYY format) *

I am over 18.

Instrument / voice
(not required for speech and drama entries)
Third Competitor's Name
(where applicable)
Date of birth (if under 18)
(please use DD/MM/YYYY format) *

I am over 18.

Instrument / voice
(not required for speech and drama entries)
Fourth Competitor's Name
(where applicable)
Date of birth (if under 18)
(please use DD/MM/YYYY format) *

I am over 18.

Instrument / voice
(not required for speech and drama entries)
Add more competitors
Remove Competitor
Group/Choir Size (if applicable)
Title and Composer of piece to be performed
(if applicable)
Time to perform (if applicable)
Teacher's name
Teacher's Contact phone number
Teacher's Email
Conservatoires/universities attended
Entry date
Graduation date
If you studied at more than one conservatoire/university, please enter details for the last one at which you studied.

Class fee