Brentwood Launches International Music Competition

A life-changing opportunity awaits talented student musicians. For those who can demonstrate incredible musical talent at the third annual Brentwood International Music Competition, a full boarding bursary worth up to £60,000 awaits. Cash prizes will be awarded to the runners-up and further bursaries, scholarships and other prizes will be awarded to talented young musicians at the prestigious competition. 

Applications for the competition are now open to students from around the world. String, piano, wind and brass, and percussion instrumentalists as well as classical voice performers are eligible. First round applicants can upload video performances via the competition website. Interviews follow before selected candidates are invited to attend the live grand final at Brentwood School on Friday 26th February. Travel expenses will be subsidised for those in need.

This year’s judging panel consists of Brentwood School’s Artistic Director of the Specialist Music Programme, Grig Cuciuc; Vanessa Latarache, Head of Keyboard and Associate Director of Partnerships in Asia at the Royal College of Music; Professor Colin Lawson CBE, a world-class clarinettist and Chair of Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music; Gerard Le Feuvre, award-winning cellist, composer and Director of the King’s Chamber Orchestra; and Rosie Whitfield, Head of Junior Guildhall at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

All finalists who enrol at Brentwood School will automatically be given a place in the school’s unique Specialist Music Programme where students will have access to some of the most sought-after music educators in the world. The school stages over 30 recitals a year, giving young musicians ample live performance experience. Academic studies are carefully balanced with musicians’ practice demands, enabling them to pursue professional musical careers if they wish while also keeping their options open to other career opportunities.

Since its launch in 2024, the competition has helped aspiring musicians further their career aspirations. Violinist Kate was awarded the Grand Prize in the inaugural competition. Originally from Hong Kong, she has flourished at Brentwood as both a musician and student and looks forward to attending a prestigious music academy once she completes her schooling. That year, judges awarded an additional full bursary to Bolivian violinist Gabriela in recognition of her exceptional musical abilities and academic record. In 2026, Sofia from Moldova saw her life transformed after winning the grand prize with her virtuosic performances. She began her studies at the start of this school year and is already thriving at Brentwood.

Florian Cooper, Head of Brentwood School of Music comments,

“This competition isn’t just a demonstration of incredible musical talent; it will also transform a young musician’s life. The bursary offers the chance to live and study at Brentwood, providing an education and music instruction that the winner may not have been able to realise otherwise.”

For more information on Brentwood School and its music programme, please contact Jude Bailey, Head of Marketing & Communications

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