OPEN ENsemble
of the Year
The Open Ensemble of the Year is open to instruments of all disciplines. After three successful years of running the Ensemble competitions on line, the time was right in our fourth year, to hold a live event. Next year's competition will take place in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on Sunday 1 Mar 2026.
The prizes were awarded in the following categories - Brass Ensemble of the Year and Open Ensemble of the Year. For the first time, The John Wallace Award, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to music education, was awarded to the overall Ensemble of the Year winner.
We are delighted to announce the Brass Ensemble of the Year 2025 prize went to Campbeltown Senior Brass Ensemble from Argyll and Bute and the runner up was Hillfoots Music for Youth Brass Ensemble from Clackmannanshire. The Open Ensemble of the Year 2025 prize went to Perth and Kinross Percussion Ensemble and the runner up was South Ayrshire Chamber Singers.
The Ensemble of the Year 2025 Overall Winner was awarded to the Perth and Kinross Percussion Ensemble who received The John Wallace Trophy.
WHO
can enter?
Ensemble of the Year is open to ensembles of 3 to 20 players of any genre or grouping of instruments. The members of your ensemble must all come from the same local authority and play together regularly in a formal group from a school or recognised music organisation (not an informal group of friends and teachers are not permitted to play in the ensemble).
Your members must be school students in Scotland. There is no minimum age or standard.
HOW
does it work?
The initial round of the Ensemble of the Year is an online competition. You will record a video of your ensemble playing. The video must:
- include a programme of two contrasting pieces
- be no longer than 10 minutes in total
- for wind and percussion ensembles - a maximum of 16 players with no more than 3 players per part , for string ensembles - a maximum of 20 players playing in a minimum of 4 parts and for vocal ensembles - a maximum of 16 singers singing in at least three parts
- be unedited, with all participants playing in one venue at the same time
For the online competition one ensemble should be selected to represent each local authority, recognised music organisation, and Scotland's independent schools. We encourage each local authority and group to have their own competitions to select their final entry. Closing entry date for next year's competition is 31 December 2025. Entries should be submitted using the online booking form (coming soon) where you will find information on how to upload your video and music.
The chosen entries will be submitted for judging by our panel of esteemed adjudicators who will select seven ensembles to go on to compete at the 2026 National Final on Sunday 1 March in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The winning ensemble will be awarded the title of Open Ensemble of the Year and receive a cash prize to further their musical experiences, the Maid of Morven Trophy and an all-expenses paid trip to play a prime slot at the Solo Performer of the Year National Final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
WHY
SHOULD WE ENTER?
Ensemble of the Year is a chance for your ensemble to get experience playing together and push your performance skills to the next level. You’ll be in with a chance of being recognised as some of the brightest young musical talent in Scotland and being awarded a cash prize, trophy and a performance slot at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
HOW
do we enter?
If you are a young musician, speak to your music teacher or enemble conductor to let them know you're interested in entering the competition.
They should contact the following person to get details about entering the competition:
- Local authority schools should contact their Music Service Manager
- Independent schools should email:
[email protected] - Other ensembles should contact Mae Murray on:
[email protected]
