Meet the winners of the BSO Music Making Competition 2026

By Lark Music

BSO Music Making Competition 2026 winners

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The winners of the 2026 BSO Music Making Competition have been announced, following a record year that attracted more than 100 entries from talented musicians across the UK. Sponsored by Lark Music and organised in partnership with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), the competition celebrates the passion, creativity and commitment non-professional musicians bring to their music.

Each winner receives a £1,000 cash prize, funded by Lark Music, while all competition entrants will have the opportunity to enjoy one of 18 livestreamed performances from the BSO’s Digital Concert Series; which gives musicians and music lovers the opportunity to enjoy world class performance from the comfort of their own home.

The judges were faced with an exceptionally high standard of entries this year, with performances showcasing a wide variety of genres, instruments and musical styles. Entries featured an impressive range of performances, from original compositions and loop-based performances to interpretations of established repertoire on instruments including the flute, saxophone, piano and even the hurdy-gurdy. After careful deliberation by the judges, we’re delighted to introduce you to this year’s winners!

18-24 Category Winner: Charlie Ashworth-Jerem with his performance of Pulcinella by Eugène Bozza

A postgraduate student at the Royal College of Music, Charlie won the 18-24 category with a performance that judges described as full of confidence, character and joy. Speaking about the piece, Charlie said he enjoys performing Eugène Bozza’s Pulcinella, which he described as: “a mythical and cheeky gremlin-like creature. It’s a fun piece to play”.

The judges commented:
“This performance captured a real sense of fun and joy, and made every challenge of the piece look easy. Bravo!”

Charlie grew up in an arts-loving household and began his musical journey as a pianist and boy chorister at Lincoln Cathedral before studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. He’s currently studying at the Royal College of Music where he won their Concerto Competition. He is set to perform Henri Tomasi’s Saxophone Concerto next year.

25-39 Category Winner: Brandon Roku Ali with his performance of Walking on Water (original composition)

Brandon won the 25-39 category with his own composition, Walking on Water. The piece was inspired by time spent practising piano in a hospital chapel while studying at Cardiff University, where he found peace and solitude. Brandon explained: “The work unites two experiences: the intimate, bodily sensation of floating and finding relief in water; and, inspired by the biblical story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea, the collective experience of crossing through water towards freedom.”

The judges commented:
“The relationship between you and your composition, performance and instrument is seamless. You take your audiences with you to a place of communion and reflection, and it’s wonderful to be there with you.”

Brandon plans to use his prize to help fund a Beethoven-inspired concert project in 2027.

40+ Category: Jen Townsend with her performance of Stardrift by Edwin Roxburgh

Jen Townsend won the 40+ category with a performance that judges described as extraordinary and virtuosic. After stepping away from music for more than twenty years while focusing on her work as a midwife and carer, Jen returned to playing in 2024 and is now studying at the Royal Northern College of Music. She chose Stardrift after being introduced to the work by her teacher, Dr Carla Rees and hopes that her experience will encourage others to rediscover music later in life: “I hope my story inspires other people to return to making music.”

The judges commented:
“An extraordinary performance that explored all the colours and sounds of the flute and conveyed every emotion with clarity and skill. Bravo!”

Jen plans to use her winnings towards her postgraduate studies.

Lark Music and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

The BSO Music Making Competition forms part of Lark Music’s long-standing partnership with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. While Lark Music helps musicians protect the instruments they value most, the competition provides an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, dedication and passion of the people who play them. Alongside the competition, Lark Music also sponsors the BSO Digital Concert Series, featuring 18 livestreamed performances from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and making world-class orchestral performances accessible to audiences across the UK through livestreamed and on-demand concerts.

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