THE BROMSGROVE FESTIVAL

INTERNATIONAL YOUNG MUSICIANS PLATFORM
The 2009 Bromsgrove Festival is delighted to announce the twenty ninth Young Musicians’ Platform which will take place in Bromsgrove from Thursday 30th April to Sunday 3rd May.  Generous sponsorship enables the Festival to award cash prizes to the finalists. Entries are invited from all instrumentalists, pianists and singers. Prizes will be awarded as follows:
First Prize    £3,000; Second Prize    £1,500; Third Prize    £1,000
Entrants are asked to read this  most carefully, paying especial attention to the regulations.
The First Round will be held on Thursday 30th April & Friday 1st May
The Second Round will be held on Saturday 2nd May
The Semi-Final will be held on Sunday 3rd May
Three finalists (who will be required to wear ‘Black Tie’) will then compete in the Final Concert on the evening of Sunday 3rd May at 7.00 p.m.
The competition will be held in the New Guesten Hall at the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings (off the A38 on the southern edge of Bromsgrove).  Fuller details will be notified to successful entrants after the official closing date, Friday 28th March.
Applicants are required to submit a programme suitable for performance at the Final Concert, lasting no longer than 30 minutes. The first, second and semi-final rounds should consist of works from your choice of programme as follows:
    First round: 15 minutes
    Second round: 15 minutes
    Semi-final: 20 minutes.
(Round one and two make up the entire 30 minute programme)
It is imperative for competitors to comply with these time limits.
ACCOMMODATION:
The organisers may be able to offer a limited amount of free accommodation, but competitors should be prepared to find their own if necessary. Competitors may also have to arrange their own transport to and from the competition venue.

Regulations:
1.    Entries are invited from all instrumentalists, pianists and singers, except for organists who are at least 17, and not older than 25 (28 for singers) on 1st May 2009. The organisers may accept or reject applications at their entire discretion.
2.    Competitors should provide their own accompanist, but if this is not possible an accompanist may be available – please give advance notification. A fee will be payable.
3.     Entrants must have reached, by December 2009, an advanced standard at least equivalent to Conservatoire entrance level.  A professional music teacher should sign your application form verifying that the required standard has been reached. You should also send a detailed resumé or c.v. together with brief report from your teacher. (Note: If applying on line, you need not send a verification form, but you must be of the requisite standard. Please enter a brief c.v. in the space provided in the on-line form).
4.    Competitors must provide the Adjudicators on the day (not before) with a proper copy of each piece of music to be performed (photocopies not accepted without prior permission from organiser).
5.    Details of music to be performed must be entered on the entry form.  However, competitors will be permitted to alter items if the Organiser is informed by 16.00 hours on Friday 18th April 2008, at the very latest.
6.    Submitted programmes must include pieces of contrasting styles and periods. Music performed in the first round must not be repeated in the second round.
7.    There is an entry fee of £25 – cheques payable to Bromsgrove Festival Ltd. This will be refunded if your entry is not accepted, but once you have been notified of acceptance it will be non-refundable.

You may use the on-line form to apply, in which case please post your entry fee (see above) and your CV (see note below Entry Form) at the same time to:
Dianne Smith
Bromsgrove Festival YMP,
c/o L G Harris & Co Ltd
Stoke Prior,
Bromsgrove B60 4AE
and make sure the name and address of the applicant accompanies your cheque.

ADJUDICATORS FOR 2009:

Sir Philip Ledger (Chairman), others tba