Terms & Conditions for the 2024 Competition (Please note: updated terms will be developed for 2026)

The Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition is held every two years as part of the Mayfield Festival of Music and the Arts to help and encourage advanced students and young professional musicians on the threshold of their careers. The Competition aims to support its winners in the early period of their careers; to this end, cash prizes, recital opportunities and performance subsidies are awarded.

Competition Dates

The Competition will take place as part of the Mayfield Festival beginning Wednesday 1 May 2024, the Semi-Finals will be held on Saturday 4 May 2024 and the Finals will be held on Sunday 5 May 2024:

  • The Entry form will open on 1 January at 12 noon and close at 12 noon on 12 February 2024; all entries have to be checked to ensure they meet the entry criteria.
  • The Notification of Acceptance will be sent with a target date of 26 February.
  • The Administration Notification will be sent with a target date of 25 March.
  • The cut-off date for changes to repertoires and replacement competitors from the waiting list will be 15 April.
  • Mayfield Festival of Music and the Arts begins on Sunday 28 April and continues until Sunday 12 May 2024.
  • The Competition will take place during the week beginning Monday 29 April 2024.
    • Round One will begin on Wednesday 1 May
    • The Semi-Finals will be held on Saturday 4 May
    • The Finals will be held on Sunday 5 May.

Competition Sections

There will be three sections: Piano, Strings (excluding plucked strings such as harps and guitars or similar) and Wind (both wood and brass). Pianos used at the Competition will be tuned to A=440Hz.

The Prizes

The overall winner will be selected from one of the three section First Prize winners competing at the Finals and will receive:

  • The TWIMC crystal trophy.
  • The Overall Winner's prize of £2,000 (the Hans and Mary Romney Prize).
  • A performance opportunity at the Mayfield Festival in 2026.
  • The First Prize winner of the Strings section will receive a recital opportunity with the Tonbridge Philharmonic Orchestra.
  • The First Prize winner of the Piano section will receive a recital opportunity with the Haywards Heath Music Society.
  • The First Prize winner of the Wind or section will receive a recital opportunity in Tunbridge Wells.

The First Prize winner of each section will receive a cash prize of £1,500 and a recital opportunity at St James’s Piccadilly in London. The dates for these recitals are to be finalised but they are expected to be in the autumn of 2024. The section winners must be available to play on one of the dates offered.

The Second Prize winner in each section will receive a cash prize of £1,000.

The Third Prize winner in each section will receive £500.

There will also be an Audience Prize.

One of the Finalists will be invited to give a Master Class presentation at Mayfield School.

The First, Second and Third Prize section winners will be given the opportunity to perform a recital in October 2024 at St Dunstan's Church, Mayfield.

Other performance opportunities will be offered in the two years after the Competition.

In addition, the three First Prize section winners will receive support from the Tunbridge Wells Competition Grant Scheme to assist them in getting performance opportunities in the two years following their win. Subject to certain conditions, the Grant Scheme will pay half of the performer’s fees to concert promoters for up to four concerts per winner in each subsidised year.

The Tunbridge Wells Competition Grant Scheme is generously sponsored by The Friends of Music in Mayfield.

Details of the 2024 Competition

1. Competition Stages and outline schedule

Round One

  • Round One will be held from Wednesday 1 May to Friday 3 May 2024.
  • Competitors will perform a recital programme of up to 15 minutes to include at least two pieces of contrasting periods or styles.
  • Competitors will be required to register at least 25 minutes before their allotted practice time.
  • The first competitors will be scheduled to register at 09:00, practise at 09:25 and perform their recitals at 10:05.
  • The last competitors will be scheduled to register at 16:05, practise at 16:30 and perform their recitals at 17:10.
  • Competitors will be adjudicated by the two Judges of their instrumental section.
  • Up to eight competitors from each section will be selected to go forward to Round Two – the Semi-Finals.
  • The names of the Semi-Finalists will be announced after the end of the last Round One session on Friday afternoon at the Competition venue for those present and by email to all competitors.

Entrants must ensure that they will be available to compete in the Semi-Finals and the Final if they are selected.

Round Two - The Semi-Finals

  • The Semi-Finals will be held on Saturday 4 May 2024 in three venues.
  • Up to 8 Competitors in each section will perform a recital programme of up to 20 minutes, to include at least two pieces of contrasting periods or styles.
  • Competitors will be required to register at least 25 minutes before their allotted practice time.
  • The first competitors will be scheduled to arrive at 09:00, practice at 09:25 and perform their recitals at 10:05.
  • The last competitors will be scheduled to arrive at 16:30, practice at 16:55 and perform their recitals at 17:35.
  • Music already performed in Round One must not be included.
  • Competitors will be adjudicated by the two Judges of their instrumental section.
  • First, Second and Third Prizes for each section will be awarded in a ceremony at the end of Round Two.
  • The names of Prize winners will be announced by email to all competitors.
  • The First Prize winner from each section will go forward to play in Round Three, the Finals, on Sunday 5 May 2024.

Round Three - The Finals

  • The First Prize winner of each section will compete in the Finals which will be held on Sunday 5 May 2024 with recitals starting at 14:30.
  • Each Finalist will perform a 25-minute recital of at least two items, to reflect a balanced and selective range of musical styles appropriate to the performer.
  • Music already performed in Rounds One and Two must not be included.
  • Strict time keeping will be enforced in all rounds and competitors who are not ready to perform at their appointed time may be disqualified.
  • Competitors must ensure that their timed programmes do not overrun.
  • Competitors will perform before all six Judges who will select the Overall Winner.
  • One Finalist will be awarded the Audience Prize.

Competitors are strongly advised to make the maximum use of the recital slot in all rounds.

Outline schedule

  • Competitors must arrive and register at the Competitor Reception Desk at least 25 minutes before their scheduled practice time.
  • Round One competitors will practise their recital programmes of up to 15 minutes in a scheduled 25 minute slot; recitals will be held 15 minutes afterwards.
  • Semi-Finalists will practise their recital programme of up to 20 minutes in a scheduled 30 minute slot; recitals will be held 30 minutes afterwards.
  • The Finalists will practise their recital programme of up to 25 minutes in a scheduled 35 minute slot; recitals will be held 35 minutes afterwards.

The Competition reserves the right to cancel, postpone or otherwise reschedule any part or all of the Competition.

2. Judging

Judges

There will be an international panel of six Judges who will take into account choice, variety and balance of programme items across all rounds. A very high standard of performance will be expected.

The Judges for the 2024 Competition will be:

Piano: Martin Roscoe, Susan Tomes

Wind/brass: Juliette Bausor (Flute), Richard Watkins (Horn)

Strings: Raphaël Pidoux (Cello), Louise Williams (Violin/Viola)

Adjudication

  • Current students of Judges are not allowed to enter the Competition.
  • Competitors will be judged on displaying an understanding of a range of different musical languages, periods and styles and should present a varied and balanced programme in all stages of the Competition.
  • Competitors are not required to play from memory but if they do so it will be noted in their favour.
  • Page turners for competitors will not be provided (see below for page turning arrangements for accompanists).
  • Competitors should bring their own electronic page-turning equipment or should be prepared to turn pages themselves.
  • The decision of the Judges will be final and not open to discussion or correspondence.
  • Certificates of participation will be issued for those Semi-Finalists not proceeding to the Finals.
  • Certificates will be issued to all section winners, the Overall Winner, and the Audience Prize Winner.
  • The Judges might exceptionally award additional certificates for highly commended competitors.
  • The Competition Management reserves the right to appoint other Judges if this is found to be necessary.

3. Sheet music

  1. Competitors must provide the Judges with one (printed or digital) copy of all music played. Digital copies must be sent to Mary Anderson, TWIMC Chair at chair@twimc.org.uk by 12 noon Friday 26 April.
  2. When an item in copyright is selected from a publication containing several different works, and is not published separately, competitors may scan the relevant pages to create an electronic copy (in pdf form) for the use of the Judges.
  3. No facilities for photocopying will be available at the Competition.
  4. The Competition Management will destroy all copies of copyright material after the event.

4. Practice time, Accompanists, Page turners and Hosts

Practice time

  • All competitors will be given a scheduled practice slot; more practice time will be allowed on an ad hoc basis if extra practice rooms are available.
  • The Competition Management reserves the right to appoint other Judges if this is found to be necessary.

Accompanists

  • At all stages of the Competition, Strings and Wind & Brass competitors may perform unaccompanied or with piano accompaniment at the competitor's choice.
  • Strings and Wind & Brass entrants are strongly advised to travel to the Competition with their regular accompanist to ensure the best performance conditions.
  • Competitors without their own accompanists can request an Official Accompanist as part of the entry process. They will be allocated to one of the Official Accompanists by the Competition.
  • A fee of £25.00 (£ sterling) will be charged for Strings and Wind competitors wishing to use an Official Accompanist during Round One.
  • Performance and rehearsal fees for Official Accompanists for the Semi-Finals and the Finals will be covered by the Competition.
  • Competitors are responsible for agreeing and paying the fee with their Official Accompanist for any practice and rehearsal sessions prior to their registration for Round One of the Competition at Mayfield.
  • Competitors resident in the Greater London area using an Official Accompanist must make their own rehearsal arrangements with their Official Accompanist before the start of Competition at their own expense.
  • Competitors from overseas and from outside the London area using an Official Accompanist must make their own rehearsal arrangements with their Official Accompanist in Mayfield between Wednesday 1 May and Friday 3 May.

Page turners

Subject to availability, page turners will be provided for all accompanists in all Rounds of the Competition. However, priority will be given to the Official Accompanists in the first instance.

Hosts

The Competition aims to provide volunteer host families offering accommodation to competitors and their own accompanists. The number of places is limited and will be provided on a first come, first served basis to those who have requested a host on the Entry Form and are unable to travel to and from Mayfield in one day.

5. Application process for all entrants

Eligibility

  1. The Competition is open to professional musicians and advanced students.
  2. Competitors must be of concert performance standard and already in or ready to make a professional career.
  3. Competitors must be aged 16 years or over and not more than 27 years old on 1 May 2024.
  4. Current students of the 2024 Judges may not enter the Competition.
  5. Past Section First Prize and Overall winners may not enter the Competition.
  6. Entries will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis, subject to meeting the entry requirements.
  7. The Competition Management reserves the right to impose a limit on the number of entries in any section.
  8. Excess numbers of entrants will be placed on a reserve list.

Please note that we do not require video submissions as part of the entry process.

Entry Form

The Entry Form for the 2024 Competition has now closed.

Click here to register your interest in the 2026 Competition.

Referees

  1. Referees must not be one of the Competition Judges.
  2. All competitors must provide the names and email addresses of two referees who may be contacted by the Competition.
  3. The names of the referees and their email addresses must be inserted into the appropriate boxes in the application form. Should any problems arise, please mention this in the comments box.
  4. If there any queries about referees, please contact info@twimc.org.uk.

Entry Fee

An entry fee of £105.00 (£ sterling) is required from each competitor.

As stated above an additional fee of £25.00 (£ sterling) will be charged for Strings and Wind competitors wishing to use an Official Accompanist during Round One.

Payment is to be made by bank transfer to the following account:

  • Account Name - Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition Ltd.
  • Account number - 70496928 - Bank Sort Code - 20-88-13.
  • Bank Name - Barclays Bank.
  • Bank Address - 8 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells. Kent, TN1 2TB, England.
  • IBAN GB09 BUKB 2088 1370 4969 28
  • SWIFTBlC BUKBGB22

The entry fee must be paid at the same time as the entry form is submitted and must include the competitor’s name in the Reference field.

Remittances from outside the United Kingdom must be payable in £ sterling, with the fee net of any banking or other expenses.

Administration

Notification of Acceptance

Competitors will be sent a Notification of Acceptance by email during February 2024 confirming their status either as a competitor or on the reserve list. Competitors may not be aware of their commitments when filling out the Entry Form so, at this stage, we will ask for their availability for Round One of the Competition to ensure that we do not schedule them on dates and times when they are unavailable.

Note: This information is important to enable us to construct the schedule and allocate accompanists and hosts where required.

Administration Notification

As soon as the schedule has been constructed, an Administration Notification will be sent to competitors in March 2024 giving:

  • The date and time of their Round One registration, practice session and recitals.
  • Contact details for their accompanists and hosts where applicable.

It is the responsibility of each competitor to contact their accompanist and host, where applicable.

Withdrawals, refunds, reserve list and change of repertoire

  • Competitors offered a place in Round One of the Competition, and those accepting a Round One place from the reserve list, will not be eligible for a refund of their entry fee and Official Accompanist fee (if applicable) if they withdraw from the Competition.
  • Competitors on the reserve list may be offered the opportunity to enter Round One of the Competition to replace withdrawals up to and including 15 April. This will be carried out on a first come first served basis for each section, subject to the reserve competitor’s ability to accept the time slot and other arrangements offered.
  • Competitors from the reserve list can only be slotted into the vacancy in the schedule, if feasible, at the time and date and place caused by the withdrawal.
  • 'Reserve list' competitors will only be offered an Official Accompanist if one is available for their slot.
  • 'Reserve list' competitors (and their own accompanists) will only be offered a host if a suitable host is available.
  • If the vacant slot is unacceptable for any reason then it will be offered to the next competitor on the reserve list who is able to accept the place on the terms and conditions offered.
  • Entrants on the reserve list can withdraw at any time and will be eligible for a full refund.
  • Entrants still on the reserve list at the start of Round One will be eligible for a full refund.
  • Applications for repertoire changes will not be accepted after 15 April.
  • Applications for repertoire changes where Official Accompanists are assigned will be permitted at the discretion of the Competition Management.

Photographic, audio or video recordings or livestreaming

  • Any recordings photographic, audio, video or livestreaming made during the Competition final will remain the copyright of the Competition Management.
  • No fees will be payable to, or consent required from, competitors either for making recordings or for any subsequent use of them.

Enquiries and website

The closing date for entries is 12 noon on Monday 12 February 2024.