Oxfordshire Junior Concerto Festival
An opportunity to perform a concerto movement with the Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra.
The Oxfordshire Junior Concerto Festival is held in conjunction with Oxfordshire County Music Service and is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians to gain invaluable performance experience as soloists.
Applications for the 2026/27 Junior Concerto Festival are now open!
Your time to shine
About the Junior Concerto Festival
The Oxfordshire Junior Concerto Festival offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring young soloists to showcase their talent and hardwork!
Secondary school students are invited to audition for the chance to perform a short recital to our panel of musicians. Three students will then be selected to perform a movement from a concerto of their choice with the Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra. These three musicians will also receive an award of £250 and be invited to perform at an Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra Young Artists’ Platform during the 2027/28 season.
Following each round, young musicians will receive written feedback from OPO players.
The Recital Round will be held on Friday 27 November 2026, 19:00 at St Anne’s College, and the Festival Concert will take place on Saturday 6 February 2027, 18:30 at the Centre for Music, Headington.
How to apply
Applicants to the Oxfordshire Junior Concerto Festival must be at least Grade 8 standard and living, or studying, in Oxfordshire, in full-time secondary education. For the 2026/27 festival, applicants must be aged 18 or under on 31 August 2027.
Please note that those previously selected to perform a concerto movement at the festival may not enter again.
Application deadline: 9am on 26 October 2026
Please contact OPO Education Officer, Lydia Bennett, opoeducation@oxfordphil.com, with any questions about applying for the festival.
Information for Applicants
Auditions for the Oxford Junior Concerto Festival will be held on the 7 November 2026 at the Centre for Music, Bayswater Rd, Oxford OX3 9FF
- Candidates applying for the festival must prepare two contrasting pieces lasting no longer than 10 minutes in total (movements and excerpts of longer works may be performed).
Up to eight competitors will then be selected to perform a short recital at St Anne’s College, Oxford on the 27 November 2026.
- Recital programmes must be between 8 and 12 minutes in duration.
- Repertoire may be the same as that performed in the audition.
Three musicians will be selected to perform a movement of a concerto in the Festival Concert, taking place on the 6 February 2027.
To apply to audition please complete the application form at the bottom of this page.