Young Singer of Mann 2026

Competition dates:

Saturday 31st January 2pm – Intermediate

Sunday 1st February 2026 2pm – Junior & Senior

Applications for next year’s Young Singer of Mann Competition at Erin Arts Centre are now open, with a closing date of 4pm on Friday 12th December 2025.

Scroll down to read the competition guidelines and complete the application form online (paper copies of the application form are available from the EAC office).

The competition will take place on Saturday 31^st January and Sunday 1^st February 2026 and sees the introduction of a new Intermediate class, alongside the existing Junior and Senior classes.

The classes will now be organised by school year rather than age and we hope that these amendments will add focus to the competition and facilitate management of the event. A new trophy and equivalent prize money will be awarded in the Intermediate class.

We look forward to seeing you all here in the new year!

Please read the application form carefully. The guidelines below are designed to help you but please contact Pip & Lou at EAC with any questions on [email protected] or 01624 835858:

• The competition will take place on Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February 2026 at Erin Arts Centre in front of a live audience.
• The deadline for applications is 4pm Friday 12th December 2025.

Judging:

• Adjudicators: Angela Stewart (Chair), Jane Corkill, TBC
• Official accompanist: Madeline Kelly
• The adjudicators will be looking for the following qualities from competitors: Performance: The ability to interpret and communicate the music with character and feeling. Accuracy: Attention to pitch, rhythm, articulation and dynamics. Musicality: The ability to give an expressive and confident performance, showing a connection to the music and an appropriate sense of style.
• The winners of each category will receive an individual trophy to keep, a larger trophy to hold for 1 year, plus a £150 cash prize. Second place winners in each category will receive a £100 cash prize. Third place winners in each category will receive a £50 cash prize. All performers will receive a certificate.

Audience:

• Competitors can watch the competition without purchasing a ticket.
• All other audience members (including children) must purchase a ticket to attend the competition from the EAC office or online.
• Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
• Please note – audience tickets for this event will be available once all applications have been received.

Performance:

• All genres and styles are welcome, although singers are asked to perform 2 noticeably contrasting pieces (contrasting in date of composition, genre, speed or language).
• Total performance time should not exceed 8 minutes.
• Competitors must perform from memory with no prompts or sheet music.
• Either one or both of the songs must be accompanied by our official accompanist on the piano, no other accompanist or instrument can be included in the performance.
• One of the songs can be sung unaccompanied.
• The adjudicators will decide winners based on performances during the competition and these will be announced on the day.

Rehearsals:

• Competitors will be expected to contact our official accompanist to arrange a rehearsal at their own expense.

Sheet Music:

• Competitors must provide a copy of their sheet music to our official accompanist no later than Friday 12th December 2025.
• Competitors must provide an original copy of their sheet music for the adjudicators’ use on or before the competition date.

Filming / Photography:

• Please note – no filming or photography of any kind is allowed during performances. (There will be opportunities for private photos after the event.)