University Music Competitions and Scholarships

The University of Birmingham offers a number of University Music Scholarships to new undergraduates every September. Scholarship applications must be received by May each year, prior to a course offer being made.

University Music Scholarships

Soloist Competition

Each November we hold our Soloist Competition which is open to any instrument, including voice.

Information on how to enter is announced by email on an annual basis.

The piece of your choice can last up to 20 minutes, and you must prepare it in its entirety, including cadenzas. Please also be mindful of the difficulty of your piece.

All entries must be accompanied (including works for piano) which you are responsible for organising. If you are struggling to find an accompanist, then get in touch with the University Music & Concerts Team.

Previous winners

2023 – Jessie Lewis (Bruch – Violin Concerto No. 1)
2022 - Charley Schofield (Glazunov - Saxophone Concerto)
2021 – Joint Winners
Ioannis Emmanouilidis (Elgar - Cello Concerto in E minor)
Eloise Yates (Arutiunian - Trumpet Concerto)
2019 – Emma Brown (Mozart - Flute Concerto No. 1)
2018 – Joshua Rapley (Saint-Saens - Cello Concerto)
2017 – Joint Winners
Luke Riedlinger (Glazunov - Saxophone Concerto)
Meg Diamond (Doppler - Hungarian Fantasy)
2016 – George Ireland (Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor)
2015 – Steve Teo (Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1)

Composition Competition

Each April we hold our Composition Competition.

Compositions can be in any style for any University Music ensemble. Please be mindful of our ensemble capacities and rehearsal times when you enter.

Entries to the competition are announced by email, and the competition is usually judged by a panel of Composition lecturers from the University.

Previous winners

2024 – William Roberts
(“Ave maris stella – Chamber Choir)
2023 – Oliver Beck
(“Heroica” – Symphony Orchestra)
2022 – Michael Triggs
("Earth" – Symphony Orchestra)
2021 – Reuben Tozer-Loft
("La Victoria" – Chamber Choir)
2019 – Chris Allen
("The Sirens" – Brass Band)
2018 – Jess Bowen
("Boleo Furia" – Wind Band)
2017 – Peter Leavy
("Pentimento" – Philharmonic Orchestra)
2016 – Oliver Frost
("Drawn Onward" – Philharmonic Orchestra)
2015 – William Tuckwell
("Action Plan for Life inside a Window" – Symphony Orchestra)