BIRDSONG has been an inspiration to composers and musicians for centuries, from the trills of Vivaldi’s Goldfinch Concerto to Beyonce’s cover of the Beatles’ Blackbird. Now, the Lark Music-Making Competition, launched this week in association with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, encourages today’s amateur instrumentalists to take flight with their own interpretations.

Open to anyone over 18, this new national competition invites amateur musicians of any genre, instrument or ability to submit a solo performance of music that is connected to birds, whether through its title, mood or theme. Performers can interpret existing pieces or submit original compositions, as long as entries are their own personal performance.

The prizes, of £1,000 across each of three age categories,18-24, 25-39 and 40 plus, can support amateur musicians in taking their creativity further, whatever that means to them. The closing date for entries is Wednesday 25th June.

All finalists will receive a free subscription to the BSO’s 2025/26 digital concert series, offering the chance to watch world-class performances, with 19 broadcasts available live and online for 30 days. The series provides a window into professional music-making for anyone looking to deepen their own practice, try new ideas or just enjoy great music from home.

A panel of musicians and broadcasters has been assembled to hear recordings. They are looking for creativity, expression and musicality. Whether recorded on a smartphone or in a home studio, judges are keen to see originality and personality in the playing.

They are: classical music broadcaster Tom Service, musician Tania Davis from the electro quartet Bond and renowned sound engineer and producer Chris Caton who has shone the spotlight on stars spanning all genres, from the BSO’s live-streamed digital concerts to the Paris fashion shows of the late Alexander McQueen. They will be joined by Lark Music’s Brian Hillstead and Gordana Jevic, along with the BSO’s principal cello, Jesper Svedberg, the BSO’s Calleva assistant conductor Enyi Okpara and joint head of BSO Participate, Lucy Warren, who connects the orchestra’s community-based music-making with thousands of people each year.

The competition is launched by the BSO – one of the UK’s leading ensembles – in association with Lark Music Insurance, a specialist music insurer committed to supporting musicians at all levels, and the generous sponsor of the competition’s prizes.

BSO chief executive Dougie Scarfe says: “We’re proud to launch the Lark Music-Making Competition with our partners at Lark Music, which will celebrate the millions of people who make music in homes, sheds, churches and community halls across the UK. We see the transformative impact of music every day — this competition is our way of shining a spotlight on that remarkable passion and talent.”

For full details and to enter, visit bsolive.com/Lark

Pictured: Tom Service and Chris Caton, © BSO; Enyi Okpara © Frances Marshall.