Welcome
Welcome to the website of the Bromley (Kent) Festival of Music and Speech. The 2026 Festival Syllabus is now available.
You can download the new syllabus here: Download Syllabus 2026 (pdf).
The 2026 Festival Syllabus
Copies are available from Public Libraries and Music Shops or directly from the Festival Secretary.
The full Syllabus for 2026 in PDF format may be downloaded here: Download Syllabus 2026 (pdf).
The entry forms are available below.
Dates and Venues
PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE
(All venues will be confirmed at a later date)
Dates for 2026: Returns by Tuesday 20th January 2026
SINGING
Date: 14th March
Venue: Farringtons School
CHOIRS
Dates: 13th March & 20th March
Venue: TBC
PIANO
Dates: 27th & 28th February, 1st, 6th, 7th & 8th March
Venue: Bromley Parish Church
WIND/BRASS, ENSEMBLES & STRINGS
Dates: 28th February & 1st March (provisional date 8th March)
Venue: Bromley High School
GUITAR (with Brass/Strings/Wind)
Date: 1st March
Venue: Bromley High School
HARP
Date: 8th March
Venue: Bromley Parish Church
SPEECH & DRAMA
Dates: 14th & 21st March
Venue: Farringtons School
STAR AWARDS
Date: 22nd March
Venue: Bromley Parish Church
Prizewinners’ Concert
Selected prizewinners will be invited to perform on 9th May 2026 at 6.30pm at St. George’s Church, Bickley.
VENUES AND ADDRESSES
Bromley Parish Church: Church Road, Bromley, BR2 0EG
St George’s Church: Bickley Park Road, Bromley, BR1 2BE
Farringtons School: Perry Street, Chislehurst, BR7 6LR
Bromley High School: Blackbrook Lane, Bickley, BR1 2TW
The Festival is most grateful to those responsible for the use of these premises.
Music Classes
Music Classes include:
- Singing
- Choirs
- Piano
- Strings
- Woodwind
- Brass
- Ensembles
- Guitar
- Ukulele
- Harp
Please see the Festival Syllabus for full details of all classes.
Speech and Drama Classes
Speech and Drama classes include:
- Verse Speaking
- Prepared Reading
- Acted Scenes - solo, duologue and group work
- Bible Reading
- Choral Speaking
- Mime
Please see the Festival Syllabus for full details of all classes.
Special Awards
Star Performer Music Awards
A trophy and a cheque for £200 will be presented to the overall winner from the Music Section at the final competitive session on Sunday 22nd March 2026 at 2:30pm at Bromley Parish Church. The Star Music Performer will be selected by a special Adjudicator. Those performing at that session will have been recommended by the appropriate Music Adjudicators. All the finalists will receive cash prizes. Admission to this session is FREE and the public is warmly invited to attend.
Jennifer Molyneux Star Speech Award
The Senior Star Speech Performer will be selected over the course of the festival. He/She must be between Year 10 and Year 13 and have entered at least TWO solo classes, one of which must be either Public Speaking or Shakespeare Solo and attained Honours/Distinction marks. They will be presented with £200 and the Jennifer Molyneux Prize at the Prizewinners Concert.
Jean Lines Star Speech Award (JM)
The Junior Star Speech Performer will be selected over the course of the festival. He/She must be between Year 7 and Year 9 and have entered at least TWO solo classes, one of which must be either Public Speaking or Shakespeare Solo and attained Honours/Distinction marks. They will be presented with £100 and the Jean Lines Star Speech Award at the Prizewinners Concert.
Celia Yeo Memorial Award
Will be awarded to the most promising young performer in Year 6 & below.
Concert Invitation
Selected prize winners will be offered the opportunity to perform in a prizewinners concert.
Festival Rules
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Eligibility of Competitors
Except where marked 'Open', the competitions are intended for amateurs. Professionals are however allowed to take part:
- As Conductors
- As Accompanists
- In Open Classes
- In Senior Orchestras
An amateur is someone who does not derive, or has not derived, his/her livelihood from the branch of performance, defined by the class title, in which he/she seeks to enter the Festival. In any amateur ensemble all members must adhere to this definition
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Entry Forms
Entries must be made on the official forms in the centre of the Syllabus obtainable online or from the Hon. Secretary, Committee members, libraries and music shops. Competitors who enter for more than one class in the same Section should use a single entry form. Entries for classes in different Sections must be made on separate forms. Multiple entry forms should be used by teachers when entering a number of pupils in the same Section. Entry forms may be photocopied
Entry forms should be sent to the address shown in the Syllabus at the head of the appropriate section. Competitors will be notified by email
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Age Limits
SCHOOL YEARS WILL APPLY FOR ALL PERFORMERS 18 AND UNDER. See Choirs for additional rules
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Entry Fees
Entry fees are as stated for each Class in the Syllabus. They must be sent with Entry Forms and cannot be returned. If a receipt is required, a stamped addressed envelope should be supplied. Cheques should be made payable to "Bromley (Kent) Festival of Music and Speech" or by online payment. Class and child's name required as reference
- Closing date for entries is 20th January 2026. Late entries WILL NOT be accepted
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Photocopying and Own Choice Items
- Photocopying: In all 'Own Choice' classes a copy of the test piece must be provided for the Adjudicator on the day. This does not apply to Set Test pieces. Competitors are reminded that it is against the law to reproduce copyright materials withoutpermission. The Festival will not accept the use of reproduced copies unless accompanied by written permission from the copyright owner. However, when an 'Own Choice' item is selected from a publication containing several different works and is not published separately, one copy may be made for the specific use of the Adjudicator provided that the competitor has already purchased his/her own printed copy. The Adjudicator's copy will be retained and destroyed by a Festival official immediately after the event
- Own Choice Items: In all 'Own Choice' Classes (except where specified), the title and composer/author of the piece MUST be stated on the entry form. Entries will not be accepted without this information and the subsequent change of a piece is NOT permitted
- Time Limits: Time limits must be strictly observed. Competitors who exceed the time limit may be stopped and/or penalised
- Standard of Music: Any competitor entering a piece of a higher grade than stated in the syllabus will be penalised
- Prompting: No prompting is permitted unless authorised by the Adjudicator
- Repetition of Items: A competitor may not perform the same item more than once, with the exception of the Star Performer Competition. No competitor may present an item for which they have been awarded a medal in the Bromley Festival in the previous 3 years
- Infringements: In the event of an infringement of the Rules, the competitor will receive an oral and written adjudication and a 'Performer' certificate and no numerical grade
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Accompanists
No recorded accompaniments are permitted. Competitors may provide their own accompanists, but an Official Accompanist is available for Solo Singing, Choral, String and Wind Classes. If this service is required, it should be stated on the Entry Form, and the appropriate fee for each Class enclosed. A copy of 'Own Choice' music must be sent to the Official Accompanist by 1st February. As there will be no time for rehearsal on the day, competitors wishing to rehearse must make their own arrangements with the Official Accompanist in advance and an additional fee may be charged
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Programmes
The Programme of the competitions will be arranged immediately after the entry list is closed. The order of performance will be determined by ballot and competitors will be informed of the date, place and approximate time of their Classes
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Attendance
Competitors should answer to their names when called to perform, otherwise they forfeit their right to compete
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Adjudicators' Decisions
Adjudicators may stop a performance when their judgements have been formed. Their decisions are final. Competitors, their relatives and friends, are not allowed to speak or write to an Adjudicator before, during or after a competition, except at the express invitation of the Adjudicator. Enquiries or complaints should be made to the Hon. Secretary in writing as soon as possible after the Festival
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Alterations
The Committee reserves the right to cancel, amalgamate or divide Classes, to alter dates, and to appoint other Adjudicators, if unforeseen circumstances render it necessary. If Classes are cancelled, the entry fees will be refunded. The right is also reserved of refusing an entry without assigning a reason
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Pupils of an Adjudicator
Pupils of an Adjudicator may not compete in any Class which is judged by that Adjudicator
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Certificates, Marks and Awards
Certificates will be awarded for Distinction, Honours, Merit, and Performer levels based on marks. Medallions (Gold, Silver, Bronze) will be awarded where stated, provided at least Honours standard (85 marks) has been achieved in Junior classes. Cups and trophies will also only be awarded to competitors if they have achieved at least Honours standard
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Mark Sheets & Certificates
Adjudicators' Remark Sheets, Awards and Certificates should be collected by the competitors concerned at the conclusion of each Class
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Cups & Trophies
Winners of trophies may have them engraved at their own expense. Trophies must be returned by 1st February 2027, undamaged and clean. Trophies are not covered by Festival insurance; winners should arrange their own cover
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Recording
THE USE OF AUDIO OR VIDEO RECORDERS, CAMERAS AND MOBILE PHONE RECORDINGS BY MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN AT ANY SESSION OF THE FESTIVAL
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Behaviour of Children
The Committee cannot be held responsible for unsupervised children. Parents and teachers must take full responsibility for all their children and pupils while on Festival premises
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Safety of Performers
It is necessary for teachers and parents to be aware of their responsibilities in entering any performers with limited physical capabilities or special needs. The teacher or parent should pass on to the adjudicator in writing, via the organiser, any such information that would impact on the adjudicator's work
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Injury & Damage
The Committee does not hold itself responsible for any injuries sustained by any performer or member of the public whilst on Festival premises, nor for loss or damage to property
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Data Protection
Personal data from the Entry Forms will be held for the sole purpose of running the Festival
Additional Rules for Speech Classes
Copyright and Indemnity:
- Competitors performing 'Own choice' poetry, prose or solo dramatic items do not need to seek copyright permission, as the Festival has an agreement with the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society. To qualify, competitors must announce the title and author, and the text must not be changed
- Duologues and group dramatic activities are not covered by this agreement. Competitors in these classes must obtain permission from authors/publishers and pay any royalty fees
- NO ALTERATION MAY BE MADE TO PUBLISHED TEXTS
- All items must be performed from memory, except in Reading Classes
- Teachers should select age-appropriate material
- Simple costumes and hand-held props may be used for duologues and acted scenes. The stage must be set and cleared by the performers within the given time limit
- Photocopies of poems and extracts are no longer covered by the Festival Licence. If you wish the adjudicator to have a copy, you must provide a handwritten copy or a physical book
Note to Teachers: The Committee asks teachers to ensure that the parents of competitors are aware of Rules 16 and 17 in particular.
Safeguarding Policy
BROMLEY (KENT) FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AND SPEECH - CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
The British and International Federation of Festivals for Music, Dance and Speech work for amateur festivals everywhere to help create thousands of educational performance opportunities for children and young people each year. The Federation, and our member Festivals, are committed to ensuring safe environments for children and young people and believe that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to recommend best practice which protects them.
This policy applies to our Board of Trustees, paid staff, Adjudicator members, volunteers, students or anyone working on behalf of the Federation and our member Festivals.
We recognise that:
- The welfare of the child/young person is paramount
- All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
- Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
The purpose of the policy:
- To provide protection for the children and young people who participate in our festivals, including the children of festival members
- To provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, of harm
We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:
- Valuing them, listening to and respecting them
- Adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and safe working practice for staff and volunteers
- Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
- Sharing information about child protection and safe working practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
- Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
- Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training
CREATING SAFER FESTIVALS FOR EVERYONE
The Federation and its member Festivals use the following policies and procedures to create Safer Festivals for everyone:
- A single, definitive Child Protection Policy adopted by all Federation Festivals
- One or more designated Festival Safeguarding Officers (FSO) appointed for each Federation Festival:
Name: Geraldine McBain Phone: 01689 820322 - Best practice advice in the form of Safe Working Practice and Festival Child Protection leaflets, with support and training for all Festival staff and volunteers, including clear reporting procedures for anyone with a concern about a child
- Appropriate recruitment and induction procedures for all new Festival staff and volunteers responsible for providing safe environments for everyone attending / performing at a Federation Festival
- All Festival personnel will be clearly identified. All teachers/parents/guardians/carers are asked to report all incidents of any nature to the Festival. All reported incidents will be handled in accordance with the Safe Working Practice and Festival Child Protection best practice advice. In addition we will ensure the availability of a quiet area / room where concerns can be expressed in private
- For the duration of a Festival all teachers/parents/guard-ians/carers are responsible for the continuous care and supervision of their own children/pupils. If they are unable to attend personally, they must delegate their responsibilities to an identified adult and ensure that their children/pupils are aware of the identity and name of the person responsible for their care. This includes supervision throughout all Festival venues, practice and changing areas that may be provided. The Festival cannot take responsibility for any property left unattended
- No unauthorised photography, audio or video recording of children and young people is allowed in the performance areas at our Festivals. Where parents/guardians/carers do not wish photos to be taken at all, then the responsible adult attending should ensure that their child is not included in official photos
- Some children and vulnerable adults may have specific needs in order to take part. If this is the case we ask the responsible teachers/parents/guardians/carers to contact the Festival Section Secretaries prior to arrival. The Festival actively seeks wherever possible to meet these needs, but must know beforehand in order to prepare support – or to advise that help cannot be provided on this occasion
- The Festival’s Child Protection Policy and approach to Creating Safer Festivals for Everyone is published explicitly in our Syllabus, Programme and Website. By completing and signing the entry form all parents / guardians / carers and teachers of competitors under 18 (or vulnerable adults of any age) confirm that they give (or have obtained) the necessary consents for the competitors to take part in the Festival. Without consent the entry to the Festival cannot be accepted
The Federation will review this policy each year in November in line with Safe Network guidance or sooner in light of any changes in legislation or guidance. All changes will be communicated to our member Festivals in time for the start of the new Festival year.
Privacy Notice
The Bromley (Kent) Festival of Music and Speech (Registered Charity No. 286229) is a competitive Music, Speech and Drama festival, run by volunteers and registered with the Charity Commission. It is a member of the British and International Federation of Festivals.
This privacy policy explains how we use any personal information we collect about you. We collect information about you when you register to perform in the Festival, volunteer as a steward or we engage you as an adjudicator. We will only ask for such information as is necessary for the efficient administration of the festival. We do not collect 'sensitive personal data' unless there is a legitimate reason for this where an entrant may need support to participate in a class.
Access to this data will be restricted to those personnel who administer the Festival.
We want to make sure your personal information is accurate and up to date and all reasonable efforts will be made to ensure this is the case. You may ask us to correct or remove information you think is inaccurate.
The Festival will not pass collected data to any third party unless the law requires us to do so or if it is to enable the Festival to fulfil its constitutional purpose. It should be noted that only the names, year groups and schools of competitors will appear in the Festival Programme.
This privacy policy only applies to our website, so when you link to other websites from it, you should read their privacy policies.
You have the right to request a copy of the information that we hold about you. This can be obtained, without charge, by application to the Data Protection Officer.
Our Privacy Promise
We promise:
- To keep your data safe and private
- Not to sell your data
- Not to share with third parties without your specific permission
Collecting your personal information
We can get your personal information when you:
- Register an entry to the Festival
- Volunteer at the Festival
- Are engaged as an Adjudicator at the Festival
- Ask us for more information about the Festival, or contact us with a question or complaint
- Pay for an advert in the programme
- Give us bank details to enable us to transfer money to your bank account (eg. for a payment or refund)
The personal information we collect
It includes (but isn't limited to) the following:
- Your name, address, phone number, date of birth and email address
- Your bank account number and sort code
- Your contact with us such as a note of a call you make to us, an email or letter you send to us or other records of any contact you have with us
Using your personal information
Names and ages will be published in the Festival Programme. We may also include a list of cup/prize winners.
Sharing your personal information
Apart from the published programme, we will not share your personal information with a third party without your specific permission.
Keeping your personal information secure
Access to your personal information will be restricted to those personnel who administer the Festival. We'll store your information for as long as we have to by law. If there's no legal requirement, we'll only store it for as long as we need it. We'll also keep some personal information for a reasonable period, for example, to send a syllabus for the following year's Festival.
You should be aware that communications over the internet (such as emails) aren't secure unless they've been encrypted. We can't accept responsibility for any unauthorised access or loss of personal information that's beyond our control.
Your privacy rights
You can write to us at any time to get a copy of the personal information we hold about you. The request, in writing, should be addressed to the Data Protection Officer.
Prizewinners' Concert
Selected winners from a range of sections are invited to perform in the annual concert which will be held on 9th May 2026 at 6:30pm at St George’s Church, Bickley.
Festival History
Bromley Festival was inaugurated at a public meeting in October 1928. The then Mayor of Bromley, Alderman E.Ford Duncanson, was the first Chairman and expressed the hope that it would be a ‘Festival for Bromley people run by Bromley people’. To raise funds, a Grand Inaugural Concert was held in May 1929 at the Methodist Central Hall, London Road, and several distinguished local musicians including the Misses Marjorie and Dorothy Whyte of Ripley fame, were involved. The first competitions were held in November 1929 with classes for Pianoforte, Strings, Solo Singing, Choirs and Elocution. Many of the trophies date from that time.
The Festival was held each November until 1939 when, on the outbreak of World War II, the Committee decided to postpone activities until further notice. The next Council Meeting took place in July 1945 and it was decided to re-establish the Festival in March 1946 at Stratford House School. Since then the Festival has been held annually in various halls and churches in the Borough. The present name – the Bromley (Kent) Festival of Music and Speech – was adopted in 1978 and the Festival received charitable status in 1983.
The early records show a strong interest in Piano, Strings and Singing but in recent years there has been a marked increase in the entries for Woodwind Instruments, including Recorders. These changes reflect the greater variety of instrumental teaching in schools today. It is one of the few Festivals in the country to include Harp classes. The Speech and Drama Section has also flourished and represents a greater number of entries each year.
The Festival receives many entries each year, which proves that it is widely valued as a platform for the performing arts in Bromley. We look forward to hearing many fine performances and are most grateful for your interest.
Aims & Objectives
The Bromley Festival exists:
- To advance the education of the public in the Arts, in particular Music, Speech and Drama in all their branches
- To promote an annual competitive Festival which provides opportunities for amateurs of all ages to perform publicly and be assessed, encouraged and inspired by acknowledged experts
- To enable competitors and their audiences to appreciate more fully the value of high standards of technique, presentation and repertoire
Contact Us
To contact a Head of Section click on the link below:
Or to contact the Organisers click on the link below:
Syllabus:
Entry Forms: