NON-professional musicians and instrumentalists across the UK are invited to enter for the BSO Music-Making Competition, which returns for a second year, sponsored by Lark Music, part of Howden. Entry is free and the closing date for applications is 3rd September.

The panel of industry judges includes broadcaster and writer Tom Service, guitarist Dagan Wilkin and presenter Helen Arney. Winners will be announced in the autumn. With a prize pot of £3,000, the process is simple – simply submit one short video from any genre via bsolive.com/create..

There is a £1,000 cash prize for each age category, spanning 18-24, 25-39, and 40 plus. Performances which display confidence and control will impress the judging panel, with notes and rhythms that feel clear and intentional – as will recordings displaying musicians at ease with their instruments.

Winners of the 2025 inaugural event included student Amy Jerman from Wareham and former art teacher Rob Johnston from Southsea. The winners deepened their creativity, aspiring to record projects and experience more live music.

BSO chief executive Dougie Scarfe says: “The BSO Music-Making Competition exists to get people creating music – to pick up a new instrument, or revisit an old one, and simply start playing. If you’re over 18 and music isn’t the day job, then this is for you. Feel free to let your creativity roam, taking any genre or musical instrument as your starting point.”

For full details and to enter, visit bsolive.com/create – entries close on Thursday 3rd September, at 11.59pm.