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To all the performers and their families, thank you for being part of our festival.
We hope that this experience has inspired you to continue pursuing your passion for the performing arts.
Our warmest wishes for future success and happiness in your performing endeavours.

Instrumental Timetable 2026

Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th March

Venue – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Rd, Woodley, Berks, RG5 4JZ. Map

Entries open on 7th November 2025 and close on 14th January 2026.

You can enter Instrumental section here

Guidance for Music Performers & Parents

You can download the Instrumental Syllabus 2026 here.

Section Chairman: Claire Barker
07501 259346 – Please leave a message
Email: Instrumental@WoodleyFestival.org.uk
Assistant: Jackie Baines

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Conditions of Entry Instrumental

1. OWN CHOICE pieces must be stated on the entry form. Own choice pieces must
be by published composers, not own compositions. Own compositions should be
entered in classes I655 – I665 under the Instrumental Section.

2. TIME LIMITS, where specified, must be strictly observed. The performance time of the piece should be included on the entry form. In any class, the adjudicator reserves the right to stop a performance, and may choose an appropriate penalty – e.g. marks may be deducted or 1st place may not be gained. This reflects not the quality of the performance but is purely in consideration of the time spent overall. Responsibility for timing rests with the performer and their teacher / coach.

 

See Also General Conditions of Entry Below.

General Conditions of Entry
Please note special Conditions of Entry for each section above

1. A COPY OF PIECES FOR THE USE OF THE ADJUDICATOR must be handed in prior to your performance, and be collected at the end of the class. Please make sure your name is on the copy.

2. LATE ENTRIES are not normally accepted. Where feasible, the Section Chair may possibly exercise discretion to accept a late entry shortly after the closing date. Time is of the essence, so make any such request by phone or email, not post. Fees for unaccepted late entries will be returned.

Instrumental Section Adjudicator 2026
Andrew Hansford

BMus(Hons), BA (Hons), MA,MMus(Perf), MMus(Cantab), PGCert(OU), ARCM, ARCO, LRSM, LGSM, LTCL, FLCM (Former ABRSM Classical/Jazz Examiner (Grades/ARSM) and Former CT ABRSM Piano Mentor)

Andrew Hansford, born in Berkshire, holds UK music degrees from Surrey (UniS), Guildford), Bristol and Cambridge (St, Catharine’s College) universities, and with the Open University (OU) (both BA (Hons) in Humanities with Music with First Class Honours and a Postgraduate Certificate in Humanities with Music (PGCert (OU)) with Distinction). in addition to an MMus (Perf) from Bath Spa University (BSU) with Distinction in which Andrew specialised in Performance as a piano accompanist, as well as the ACRM, ARCO, LRSM, LGSM, LTCL, FLCM music diplomas (awarded mostly in piano accompaniment/performance) and the FRSA being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts at the age of 26, and he is now a life member of the RSA.

A performing classical pianist, specialising in piano accompaniment and collaborative piano relatively early on whilst at school, he is also an organist, a harpsichordist (focusing mainly in accompaniment in both these instruments as well) and a choral singer (tenor). Andrew is an active Trinity College London (TCL) Diploma Theory of Music examiner, an active international BIFF Music Adjudicator, an active Visiting Tutor in Music at Oxford University Department for Continuing Education (OUDCE) as a Visiting Tutor in Music, a piano/jazz piano tutor. Presently researching for a PhD (in Music) at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) also occasional has piano accompaniment studies at the Royal College of Music and is also one of the resident organists at a church in Oxfordshire.

Instrumental Trophies

Trophy Description 2025 Winner
John Callan Trophy Best performance in the string solo classes Nolan Chenchery
Durant Cup Most promising instrumentalist aged under 16 George Suckling
Follett Trophy Best performance in the beginners’ classes Elvin Chen
Norman Heads Trophy Best performance by an ensemble (multi-tracked) Appassionato and Vivace
Reading Chronicle Trophy Best performance in the recorder classes Nina Mueller
Beechwood Junior Brass Award Best performance in the brass solo class 13 years & under Oliver Bagshaw
Beechwood Senior Brass Award Best performance in the brass solo class over 13 years n/a
Minerva Trophy Best performance by a duet or ensemble (recorded together) SAZ – Sawako, Amelia and Zuleyha
Maxwell Trophy Best performance in the Open sections Molly Skeil
Hook Trophy Best performance in the woodwind solo class 13 years & under George Casey
TSB Trophy Best performance in the solo wind classes, including brass Aleks Blanusa
Millar Cup Best performance in the concerto and recital classes Eleanor Biles
Instrumental Composition Award An outstanding instrumental composition n/a
Oakwood Instrumental Award Best performance in graded classes Sawako Etherington