From the festival

We would like to wish Sir David Attenborough many happy returns on his 100th birthday. What a life!

Are you a singer or instrumentalist who loves making music, but is ready to take it to the next level? Applications are open now to join Yorkshire Young Musicians' specialist Sunday music programmes from September in Leeds and Hull, which include 1:1 lessons on one or two instruments, plus a choice of a huge range of additional study options, including ensembles, composition, production and more, all taught by industry-leading specialist tutors.

Bursaries and free places are available, depending on household income. Apply by Thursday 30 April: yorkshireyoungmusicians.uk

Due to an unfortunate oversight, this advertisement was omitted from the 2026 programme, so we are very happy to feature it on the festival blog.

The festival is very pleased to publicise this event and opportunity.

Play the Organ Session: join us to hear — and play — a remarkable pipe organ, aka 'the King of Instruments'. Bring your own piece of music, piano or hymn, and have tutoring on this wonderful instrument from Dr Roland Dee, RCO Accredited Teacher.

All are welcome to this free event, regardless of musical experience or ability. 1.30pm – 4.30pm on Saturday 25 April 2026, St Joseph's RC Church, Westgate, Wetherby LS22 6LL.

We had to change the venue of the choir and chorister classes at the 2026 festival. In the published programme these were shown as being held at St Mark's Church, Leeds Road, Harrogate on 21 March.

They were all held on that date at Harrogate High School, Ainsty Road, Harrogate, HG1 4AP, with the same timings as shown in the programme.

We are sorry about this last-minute change, which facilitated car parking and enabled performers to have separate rehearsal spaces. — Alan Connell, Treasurer

The closing date for making an entry was 15 January 2026.

No late entries can be accepted. All piece names, authors and publishers must be on the entry system by midnight on the closing date, and full payment must have been made.

We were sorry that one of the links to the 2026 syllabus was incorrectly pointed at the 2025 syllabus. This was corrected, but you may have needed to check that you had not been working from the 2025 syllabus.

The correct syllabus is clearly marked as 2026 on the front cover. Many apologies for this mistake. — Derek Starling