Music Competitions
2026 Music Competitions
Welcome to the
Music Competitions
Competition entries are now closed for our 2026
Taunton Young Musician
The Trustees of the Festival have established a fund, designated to provide prizes for young musicians who have demonstrated outstanding musical ability. Run on competitive lines, the competition aims to assist and encourage musical excellence amongst students living in the Taunton area.
22nd March 2026
Taunton Junior Young Musician
TJYM began as an addition to TYM, but it was felt it should have its own identity as a separate competition.
22nd March 2026
Taunton Young Singer
This competition for young singers has been set up by the festival in response to the ever-growing number of entries in the Music Festival. It was also felt that singers should have their own competition and not be judged alongside their instrumental contemporaries as in past Taunton Young Musicians competitions.
21st March 2026
Taunton Junior Young Singer
The Taunton Junior Young Singer of the Year competition has been created following the success of Taunton Junior Young Musician in 2014/15 and the ever-growing interest in the Taunton Young Singer competitions.
21st March 2026
Taunton Young Music Theatre Singer
Competitors are invited to perform a programme from different periods and genres, up to a maximum of twelve minutes. Movement will be permitted, if appropriate, but not costumes or props.
21st March 2026
Somerset Song Prize (18-26)
The Somerset Song Prize is a prestigious competition promoted by the Festival, Somerset Opera, and the Ronald Tickner Educational Trust, first run in May 2013 and is a biennial event. Learn more on the Song Prize website.
2026 Winners
TAUNTON JUNIOR YOUNG MUSICIAN
1st Charlotte Zhang
2nd Dee Dee Redford
3rd Anton Vilichko and River Peryer
TAUNTON YOUNG MUSICIAN
1st Sophie Sze
2nd Hannah Yap
3rd Anton Piggot
TAUNTON YOUNG SINGER
1st Ginevra Dobson
2nd Belinda Gifford Guy
3rd Betsy Chow
TAUNTON YOUNG MUSICAL THEATRE SINGER
1st Ellie Swinburn
2nd Imogen Bale
TAUNTON JUNIOR YOUNG SINGER
1st Hannah Datoo
2nd James Sercombe
3rd Tessa Ferguson