Festival launches search to find talented young Kentish musicians to compete for the Festival’s £2,000 bursary prize

Do you have what it takes to become the winner of the Canterbury Festival’s Young Musicians’ Bursary Competition 2017? This popular annual competition supports the next generation of young musicians across Kent, providing not only a high-profile performance opportunity during the Canterbury Festival, but also a cash bursary to aid musical development.

The competition was founded in 2011 by the Festival Foundation, to nurture and support young musicians. The Junior category offers professional performance experience for musicians aged 12-14 and the Senior category is for musicians aged 15-18 competing for the cash bursary. The winner is announced at the annual Bursary Concert, one of the hottest tickets during the Canterbury Festival, where the 9 finalists perform to a packed house and three highly esteemed judges.

The Senior winner receives a cash bursary of £2,000 and becomes the Festival’s Ambassador for the Arts, developing skills in leading workshops alongside performing in various Festival events throughout the year. All Finalists will be given the opportunity to work with the Festival towards their Arts Award Bronze, a nationally-recognised qualification documenting their experience and progression within the arts.

2016 winner, vocalist Ellen Pearson, is a student at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Faversham. Ellen has been singing since she was six and the judges admired her ability to embody every character she was playing and her vocal range stood her apart from the other constants. She will be working closely with the Festival throughout the year, and using the Bursary Prize to further her vocal tuition and experience.

The 2017 competition is now open to applicants. Simply download the form via the Festival website (www.canterburyfestival.co.uk) and return a hard copy to the Festival office.

• entry deadline for all applications is Friday 26 May
• short-listing auditions will take place on Thursday 22 June
• final will be held on Monday 30 October 2017

For further details, contact Rachel at the Festival Office on 01227 452 853 or email [email protected].