Bach International Music Competition UK — 2026 Season 4 (online)

The Bach International Music Competition UK runs entirely online, which makes its Season 4 (19th edition) open to performers and creators anywhere, with no age or nationality limit. It covers an unusually wide range: all instruments and voice, composition and film music, conducting, chamber music, music video, and music writing, spread across 27 categories reflecting different ages, experience levels and styles. Entry is priced by how many categories you enter rather than per category, £65 for one, rising to £220 for four, and you register online with your details, instrument or specialism, and a video link, which the competition says can be sent by email after you've registered, as long as it arrives before the deadline. You'll also submit the piece and composer name and a photo for a potential winner's poster. The deadline is 26 November 2026, with results announced 18 December 2026. What winners actually get is certificates and exposure through the competition's own media and website rather than published cash prizes, so this suits performers after recognition and a credential more than funding. The competition doesn't publish its judging process on the main pages, so anyone weighing whether to enter should check the separate jury and categories pages for how submissions are actually assessed before paying the entry fee.