2026 Competitor Programme Guidelines

Guidelines for First-Round Programme, Semi-Final Programme and Final Programme 

• Applications are now CLOSED.  (2026 applications will close on the 20th March 2026)

• The programmes for all 3 rounds must be submitted at application.  A maximum of 1 piece from the first round may be repeated in the Semi-Final. A maximum of 2 pieces from EITHER the first round OR the Semi-Final may be repeated in the final.  No one piece may be scheduled for all three rounds.

• No changes are permitted to programmes, once submitted, except at the request of The Eastbourne International Singing Competition. 

• Please ensure that you keep a copy of your submitted programmes for your reference 

• There is no requirement to submit a recording as part of your application 

• You will be informed by March 27th 2026 at the latest as to whether your application has been successful 

• Successful applicants must submit their competition entry fee, good-quality scans of all music (music scans only need to be sent by singers if using a staff accompanist) and a headshot by April 17th 2026. ALL music should be sent as individual pieces NOT as one continuous files.

Late submissions cannot be accepted.

• Musical Theatre repertoire is not permitted.

• No amplification or additional accompaniment is permitted.

• You should aim for a varied and balanced programme in each round 

• Please provide Title of Piece (+Title of Work if appropriate); Composer; Key you intend to perform in 

• Extracts from operas, operettas, oratorios, sacred music or choral works must be sung in the original key.  

• Baroque works may be sung one semitone below written pitch (please specify).

• Art-songs, lieder, mélodies etc and folksongs may be sung in any published key (please specify).

• All pieces must be sung in their original language

• Singers must perform all repertoire from memory

• Please wear either day-time concert dress or evening concert dress according to your preference. The Eastbourne International Singing Competition reserves the right to refuse access to the auditorium to anyone we consider to be dressed inappropriately

Guidelines for the Accompanists

• The piano will be on the short stick unless requested

• The stick position must be the same for the whole programme in the first round and the semi-final

First-Round Programme 

• The total running time, including breaks, should be between 10 and 12 minutes.

• It is likely you will be penalised if your total running time is less than 9 mins 30 secs

• You may be stopped if your performance exceeds 13 minutes

• Your programme should include a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 songs/arias

• At least 1 piece should be in English

• At least 1 piece should be in another living language

• Your programme should include at least 1 art-song in any living language

• Your programme should include at least 1 aria from an opera, oratorio, sacred work or choral work, with or without recitative (you may not sing 2 arias from the same work in the same round)

• Your programme may include a maximum of 1 unaccompanied folksong of no more than 2 minutes' duration 

Semi-Final Programme 

• The total running time, including breaks, should be between 14 and 16 minutes 

• It is likely you will be penalised if your total running time is less than 13 mins

• You may be stopped if your performance exceeds 17 mins

• Your programme should include a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 songs/arias

• At least 1 piece should be in English 

• At least 1 piece should be in another living language 

• Your programme should include at least 1 art song in any living language 

• Your programme should include at least 1 aria from an opera, oratorio, sacred work or choral work, with or without recitative (you may not sing 2 arias from the same work in the same round)

• Your programme may include a maximum of 1 unaccompanied folksong of no more than 2 minutes' duration 

Final-Round Programme 

• The total running time, including breaks, should be between 18 and 21 minutes 

• It is likely you will be penalised if your running time is shorter than 17 mins

• You may be stopped if your performance exceeds 22 minutes

• Your programme should include a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 7 songs/arias

• At least 2 pieces should be in English

• You should sing in at least 2 additional living languages

• You should sing at least 2 art-songs in any living language(s)

• Your programme should include at least 2 arias from an opera, oratorio, sacred work or choral work, with or without recitative (you may not sing 2 arias from the same work in the same round)

• Your programme may include a maximum of 1 unaccompanied folksong of no more than 2 minutes' duration 

Uploads by no later than April 11th 2025