The adjudicator for 2027 will be Ben Costello

Syllabus and Fees can be found HERE

All entries for the festival must be by Play and Perform (click on the yellow icon at the top right of this page)

Click HERE for some instructions to help you with the entry system.

The closing date for entries is Friday 15^th January 2027

Entries MUST be made by this date but pieces can be confirmed or changed later if needed

• The official accompanist for the festival is Olivia Travers - oliviatravers@mac.com. Please contact her directly if you require her services. An additional payment of £5 per song is required if using the official accompanist and payment is made directly to her. Please email a copy of the music to her at least three weeks before the competition date. Any repeats or cuts must be clearly marked on the copy. A chord chart with lyrics is not acceptable.
• Entry age as at 1st September 2025.
• Only one entry may be made in each class.
• Time limits are given and must be observed. A performance may be stopped if time limits are
  exceeded.
• Own choice titles must be stated on the entry form.
• All songs may be sung in a key suitable for young voices irrespective of the original key.
  Songs may be sung in English or the original language where required. Diction and pronunciation will
  be assessed by the adjudicator.
• An additional payment of £5 per song is required if using the official accompanist. Please send a copy
  of the music to the official accompanist at least three weeks before the competition date. Music may be posted or scanned and emailed. Any repeats or cuts must be clearly marked on the copy. A chord chart with lyrics is not acceptable.
• An original copy of the music must be provided for the adjudicator on the day of the competition. A
  photocopy may be made for the use of the adjudicator provided that the competitor has already purchased their own copy. The photocopy will be retained and destroyed by the Section Secretary immediately after the event.
• Whilst the Festival does not have an official dress code, competitors are reminded that dress should
  be appropriate for a platform or concert performance.
  

Adults: Tagg’s Yard, 23 Woodlands Road, Barnes, London SW13 0JZ

All Other classes: St Luke’s in the Avenue, Kew Community Centre, Richmond TW9 2AJ

Ben is an artistic director, musical director and singing coach, working nationally and internationally. He is Artistic Director and Company Secretary of Thames Concerts, Artistic Director of the City Music series, a generalist music adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals, and a music examiner, consultant and recording artist for LCM Exams.

A specialist in musical theatre and vocal performance, Ben has been musical director for numerous productions across the UK, and a reflective product of this has been his continuing work as a musical director and singing teacher (incorporating Estill and Bel Canto) at the cutting edge of performing arts training in London, with his portfolio over the years including Arts Ed, Mountview Academy, Trinity Laban, Laine Theatre Arts, Italia Conti, Guildford School of Acting, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, the Royal Academy of Music, Drama Studio London, and the London School of Musical Theatre. At these colleges his work has included teaching singing technique, portfolio, acting through song, audition technique, and auditioning thousands of prospective students. Countless of his former singing students enjoy successful careers in the West End and beyond. He also teaches singing at Tiffin Girls' School.

Born and based in London, Ben trained initially as a flautist before majoring in piano, singing and conducting. He read Music at Kingston University and the London College of Music, subsequently joining the teaching staff as the College's first resident MD. Ben remains much sought-after as an accompanist, and collaborates in a variety of genres with countless singers and instrumentalists in many performing environments, working with several distinguished singers including Michael Chance CBE, James Bowman CBE, Roderick Williams OBE, Robin Blaze, Hugh Cutting, Alison Pearce, Joanne Lunn, Peter Savidge, Richard Suart, Lotte Betts-Dean and Mark Dobell. He is also one of the regular pianists for Cantabile (The London Quartet).
Ben is a Liveryman and on the Court of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. He chaired the Company’s prestigious annual musical direction scholarship for eight years, and is presently Chairman of the Company's Jazz Committee.
For the Federation, he is also an adjudicator mentor, and is a member of the interviewing panel for potential new music adjudicators. He was a member of the Adjudicators' Council for 11 years, culminating in being elected Music Chairman, before stepping down in 2025.

Outside music, Ben is a keen motorcyclist.