Classical Singing will be held on Saturday 22 March 2025 at All Saints Church, The Drive, Hove BN3 3PB. Classes will be adjudicated by James Oldfield.
Entries are now open. CLICK HERE to access the online entry system. If you have not entered before you will need to register on the system. Booking deadline 26 January 2025.
Download the 2025 syllabus HERE.
We are grateful to All Saints Church for providing us with a venue. If you are interested in discovering more about the musical opportunities offered by their Vaughan Williams School of Music, please get in touch with the Director of Music, David Stevens.
Every level, from beginner to accomplished performer, is catered for in the Classical Singing section. Younger performers enter according to their school year. There is an adult section for those aged 18 and over. (See also our Musical Theatre section.)
Marks are awarded in some classes, but in others only feedback is given to ensure that players can participate in whatever environment they feel most comfortable. In addition to solo classes, there are opportunities for duets, trios and quartets, and for a family group.
Genres and periods covered include Folk song, Baroque, Classical Italian, Oratorio, Sacred Song, Operetta, Gilbert & Sullivan, Romantic, Contemporary, Musical Theatre (adults).
Recital classes, including the Dame Felicity Lott Recital class, provide an opportunity to give a sustained performance of contrasting pieces.
The 2024 winner of the Dame Felicity Lott Recital, Kitty Casey, joined last year’s winner, Gigi Casey in a Springboard Centenary Celebration Concert on 24 May 2024 as part of the Unitarian Church lunchtime series.
2024 Award Winners
Coaching awards:
- Kitty Casey
- Daria Robertson
- Claire Campbell
- Pamela Cross
Trophies
- Madame H Palgrave Turner: Dolly Vann
- The Laura Eaton Cup: Ella Wong
- The Donna Roberti Cup: Ella Wong
- Vaughan Williams Cup: Ella Wong
- Rose Rohowsky Cup: Iris Dempsey
Awards
Dame Felicity Lott Recital Competition
The class is generously sponsored by Dame Felicity Lott. An award of £150 to the winner has been kindly donated by Martin Knott, alongside £50 for the runner-up, donated by Sue Goodacre. Coaching sessions with Lesley Anne Sammons, Lucinda Houghton and Dame Felicity Lott herself are awarded at the discretion of the adjudicator.
Singing Rules
1 Performing songs from memory is encouraged but not compulsory. Marks are awarded for both
performance and communication, and as singing from music may have a negative impact on
communication it could affect the final mark.
2 Please note that musical theatre, show/film songs etc are only permitted where specified in this
syllabus. You may also like to consider the opportunities offered in the Musical Theatre syllabus, but
note that the same musical theatre, show/film song must not be sung in any other class in the 2024
festival. No pop songs are permitted in any classes.
3 Where accompaniment is needed, pupils must provide their own accompanist. Recommended
accompanists are listed on the Springboard website. Backing tracks and amplification are not
permitted.
4 Performers are asked to pay close attention to the time limit for each class, as a performance that
is over the limit may not be adjudicated fully or the performer may be asked to stop. Timing begins
when the singer introduces the performance, or if no introduction is provided, begins to sing.
5 Copies of music or scores are required for the Adjudicator for all classes. (See Music Rules below
regarding the copying of copyright works.)
6 A piece may be sung in only one class in the Festival.
7 In classes for under-18s, teachers and performers should be aware that the music chosen needs
to be appropriate to the performer’s age and ability.
8 Intermediate and adult performers are asked to sing in the original language wherever possible if
the original language is English, French, German, Italian or Latin.
9 PLEASE NOTE that Springboard reserves the right NOT to refund entry fees if an entrant
withdraws.
Music and General Rules
Copies of own-choice works for the adjudicator
The Music Publishers Association has recently issued a revised Code of Practice on copying copyright works and the following concession is made for copying Own Choice pieces from volumes only for the adjudicator. Other items must not be photocopied without permission of the copyright holder in each case.
“When an Own Choice work is selected from a publication containing several different works and which is not published separately, one copy may be made for the use of an adjudicator at a competition or festival provided that the competitor has already purchased his/her own copy and that the copy made is retained and destroyed by the administrator of the Competition or Festival immediately after the event. This permission specifically does not apply to set works.”
Performers are advised that this permission applies only to copyright holders who are members of The Music Publishers Association, listed at the back of the Code of Practice leaflet, obtainable from the Association at 6th Floor, British Music House, 26 Berners Street, London W1T 3LR. Tel. 020 7580 0126020 7580 0126
It is performers’ own responsibility to ensure that they seek permission to copy direct from any copyright holder whose name does not appear in the MPA list. Single copies of items may not be photocopied without prior permission of the copyright holder. The permission does not apply to making copies for the Accompanist, who should always be given a printed copy from which to work.
Photocopies for the Adjudicator must be totally legible or they may be refused.
Copyright guidance regarding internet downloads
Where music is downloaded from the internet, the performer must also print off and submit the permission statement accompanying the music. Please click here to see copyright guidance concerning internet downloads.