A message from Christopher Trotter, 2021 Oundle Young Musician and Singer. After graduating from King’s College London with First-Class Honours in Music, Christopher is currently a scholarship student pursuing a Master of Music in Performance at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
2025 Winner
I first entered the Oundle Festival of Music and Drama in 2016, quietly competing against my brother – him on trombone and violin and me on piano and violin. At that point it was all about the certificates, who had the highest mark and who had the most medals – and between us we have accumulated quite a lot!
As time has moved on and we have grown up – it does not go unnoticed just how important it is that we had this opportunity with the Oundle festival.
When I was eight years old, I would never have believed that I would be fortunate to be awarded Young Musician of the Year 2025, albeit on the French horn – but that is the power of a local, friendly, encouraging festival, it entices you back year after year.
It is so important to cherish and celebrate what we have in this festival and to keep its legacy alive. Please do support it if you can.
Nelly Palmer, winner in 2023, wrote
Hello! My name is Nelly Palmer, and I am in year 11 at Mark Rutherford school in Bedford. In the Gala concert in March, I had the privilege of becoming Oundle Young Musician of the Year. In the festival, I won both the U18 Piano class and U18 Strings class (playing cello). It was my second year performing at Oundle, last year I won the U15 Piano class.
I entered the Festival because I wanted to communicate music. And I cannot express how grateful I am to have found a space that is so outstanding in its commitment to that communication. Throughout, the atmosphere was safe, and supportive: glowing with the primal joy of celebrating sound. The adjudication struck the perfect balance between encouragement and constructive criticism, nurturing all participants into confident, expressive, and powerful performers.
A message from Christopher Trotter, 2021 Oundle Young Musician and Singer. After graduating from King’s College London with First-Class Honours in Music, Christopher is currently a scholarship student pursuing a Master of Music in Performance at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Previous Winners
The first 10 years of the award were made possible by a generous bequest from the late Tony Hounsome’s estate in 2007. Tony was associated with the Festival as teacher and bandmaster, committee member and then Vice Chairman. He taught many of the young instrumentalists who were our past competitors and it seemed fitting that this award be made in his memory.
We are delighted that The Arts Society Oundle has now become the sponsor of the Award.
The competition has been a success from the beginning, providing performance opportunities for local young musicians. The award increased in significance from 2009 when the winners were invited to give a lunchtime recital at the Oundle International Festival the following year.
The Arts Society Oundle Award ~ £125
Competitors qualify by winning an 18 years and under Instrumental Solo class a mark of at least 87.
Entrants for these qualifying classes should bear in mind that the winner of the overall competition may be invited to give a 45 minute recital at the Oundle International Festival the following year. Their performance should make full use of the time allowed.
Entrants are strongly advised to bring their own accompanist or, if this is not possible, should arrange a rehearsal with the Official Accompanist. This can be arranged with the Music Secretary and will be charged at the current BIFF rates for Accompanists.
YOUNG MUSICIAN FINAL RULES
1. The competition takes place at the Festival Concert.
2. Competitors must perform their qualifying programme.
Exceeding the time limit of 8 minutes will lead to disqualification.
3. A competitor may only perform once in the final competition.