2026 Festival

Venues

The 82nd Lincoln Music & Drama Festival (after a break in 2025) and has a new main venue.

Tuesdays, 10th March (morning, afternoon, and evening); 17th March (morning and afternoon); Thursday, 19th March 2026 and Friday, 20th March (morning and afternoon): Classes will take place at: Southside, Colegrave Street, Lincoln LN5 8DW.

Thursday, 12th March 2026 (morning and afternoon): The ‘School Choir’ classes will take place at: Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 2A Skellingthorpe Road, Lincoln LN6 7RB.

Sunday, 22nd March 2026 (early evening): Southside, Colegrave Street, Lincoln LN5 8DW.

Preliminary Classes Timeables

2026 Preliminary LMDF Music Classes Timetable Download

2026 Preliminary LMDF classes timetable PDF - MUSIC

2026 Preliminary LMDF Speech and Drama Classes Timetable Download

2026 Preliminary LMDF classes timetable PDF - SPEECH AND DRAMA

BIFF New Marking Scheme 2025

The British and International Federation of Festivals (BIFF) for Music, Dance, and Speech (BIFF) updated its marking scheme on April 1, 2024. The new scheme focuses on providing positive and affirming feedback to performers, building their confidence and self-esteem, and promoting BIFF’s core values.

DESCRIPTORS

MARK | BAND

A performance demonstrating an awareness of technical skills, requiring more consistency & artistry

65 - 69% | Developing

A performance showing development of technique and/or communication and commitment

70 - 74% | Progressing

A competent performance, showing some artistic awareness and/or technical ability

75 - 79% | Merit

A convincing performance technically & artistically, with increasing stylistic & communication skills

80 - 84% | Commended

An excellent performance, demonstrating fluent technical and artistic skills with emerging individuality

85 - 89% | Honours

An impressive performance technically and artistically, displaying spontaneity & clear individuality

90 - 94% | Outstanding

A superlative performance, displaying exceptional artistic individuality

95%+ | Exceptional

Accompanists

  1. An Official Accompanist is provided for the required singing classes, however you may use your own independent accompanist if you wish and should indicate this on the Play and Perform entry system for the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival. This option may not be altered after the close of entries and, unfortunately, no concessions in respect of the festival’s scheduling can be made to accommodate your own accompanists. 

  2. It is strongly advised that you use an Official Accompanist if you are making multiple entries. Adjustments for independent accompanists to the festival scheduling to avoid clashes will not occur.

  3. The music for an Official Accompanist must be to performance standard, in a manageable, readable and playable condition.

  4. Your sheet music (as a PDF) needs to be uploaded directly into the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival ‘Play and Perform’ entry system, under your selected class, when making your entry, or shortly after, but by midnight on 3 March 2026. The sheet music digital copies must be clearly labelled with the competitor's name, class number, AExxxxxxx number and, if applicable, the required speed or key.

Adjudicators

Adjudicators for the 2026 Lincoln Music & Drama Festival are not necessarily accredited by The British and International Federation of Festivals (BIFF). Nevertheless, they are experts in their fields and come with a wealth of skills, experience and knowledge to share at our festival. With backgrounds in music, dance or speech & drama, our Adjudicator members are skilled professionals who can assess a performance, provide constructive feedback and through skilled teaching points, bring a performer on to the next level.

  • David is a professional conductor, vocal coach and pianist. He taught music in schools in Hull, before embarking on a full-time career as a freelance musician. He is well known in London’s West End theatre world as a Musical Director, vocal coach, accompanist, and audition pianist. He has conducted many West End and international touring shows. He worked for several years for Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Company and conducted Cats, Aspects of Love, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph as well as working as Sarah Brightman’s accompanist and recording an album with her. He has appeared as a pianist on TV, radio, film soundtracks, and recorded 3 original cast albums. 

    David was also Director of Music at the BRIT School for Performing Arts, Director of Performance at the Academy of Contemporary Music and has been a vocal coach and singing teacher at many leading drama colleges. He was also regular Musical Director for student shows at Arts Educational Schools London, and Chichester University. He is an examiner for London College of Music and was awarded an FLCM for Professional Achievement. He has been a Music Mentor for Music For Youth for several years, is an Adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals and has adjudicated at many festivals nationwide. 

  • Alison has spent over 30 years teaching English, including 12 years as a Head of Department, and has a lifelong passion for poetry and fairy tales. She believes that stories help children learn how to be empathetic people who can show compassion to themselves and others, and that engaging with poetry nurtures a love of language from the earliest years.

    Alison holds a Creative Writing MA (Distinction) for her poetry collection Inside Out, and continues to develop her craft through regular writing courses and storytelling training. She also enjoys amateur dramatics and teaching chakra dancing.

  • Rowan is a performing pianist and teacher. She is an advocate of good quality music education and enjoys working with beginners through to conservatoire entry students. Rowan studied piano with Jean Harvey and Viola with John White at the Royal Academy of Music. She achieved the GRSM hons degree, as well as teaching and performing diplomas on both instruments. She worked in France as an orchestral player and as an accompanist.

    Her teaching career is broad and wide ranging. She was Head of Music at Highfields School Newark, where she built a programme from scratch based on Kodaly principles and practical music making. Rowan has examined for ABRSM since 1992 and has travelled throughout the world for the organisation. Rowan is also a diploma examiner, presenter and examiner trainer for ABRSM.

    Rowan works closely with teachers, sharing ideas through mentoring, delivering presentations and producing film resources. She is currently involved as one of the course leaders in the Professional Development Programme for piano teachers being run by EPTA (European Piano Teachers Association) in partnership with ABRSM. In addition to a strong association with the Oasby Music Group specialising in string teaching and chamber music. Rowan particularly enjoys adjudicating and the chance it gives to encourage young musicians in a friendly atmosphere.

  • Laura is Director of Spoken Words Communication Ltd, and leads the company, which specialises in voice coaching and communication skills for individuals and organizations. She has over 25 years' experience in voice coaching with consistently successful results. Her background is in Drama teaching, where performers are trained to use voice and physical expression to communicate thoughts and feelings effectively in a variety of contexts - skills needed in the contemporary workplace. 

    She began by working with local businesses and now works with individuals and organisations across the globe. Laura's relaxed, friendly style instantly puts people at ease, and her practical approach gets right to the heart of speaking effectively. 

    Laura holds an MA in Professional Voice Practice, and Postgraduate Certificate in the Teaching of Shakespeare (University of Warwick). She is also an English Speaking Union Training Provider, since April 2019, providing public speaking skills training to groups and classes in educational settings.

  • Nadia graduated from the Royal Academy of Music. She was awarded first prize for Aural studies, and her quartet won the string chamber prize in her final year.  She is the owner and director of the Hinson School of Music in Nottingham, and is an international examiner for the ABRSM, a Jazz examiner for the ABRSM, an adjudicator for the British and International federation of Festivals, and a member of the Royal Society of Musicians. Nadia has been a senior consultant for the LEAD Academy trust, involved in developing music departments in schools in Nottinghamshire, and leading workshops to encourage and involve as many youngsters as possible in experiencing music and the arts in large scale productions and showcase concerts. In 2025, Nadia became an Associate of The Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) for her significant contribution and services to music education.

  • Mark Wilde was a chorister at Dundee Cathedral before going on to study at the University of East Anglia and the Royal College of Music. He is an award-winning singer, conductor, and teacher. As a performer, he has a national and international repute and has sung at all the UK’s major opera companies and concert halls. Accolades include two BBC Music Magazine Opera Awards and an Olivier Opera Award. In opera, he has performed principal roles with all the major UK companies and widely throughout Europe. 

    His recordings include the Complete Scottish Songs of Benjamin Britten and Handel's Ode for St Cecilia’s Day on Naxos CD, Donizetti’s Pia de’ Tolomei, Mercadante’s Alessandro nell’Indie and Rossini’s La Donna del lago on Opera Rara CD and Sullivan’s The Golden Legend and The Prodigal Son on Hyperion CD.

    When not performing, Mark conducts choirs, teaches at the Royal Academy of Music, the University of Lincoln, Royal Holloway University of London, and runs a schools’ singing programme for primary school children in Grimsby. In addition, he is Director of Music at Grimsby Minster, and Musical Director at Lincoln Choral Society.

Travel Funding

The Johnson & Mukherjee Brothers Charitable Trust has kindly agreed to prioritise enquiries from schools for funding to cover the transport costs for participating in the 2026 Lincoln Music & Drama Festival. Schools must make an enquiry direct to the trust via their website (https://www.thejmtrust.co.uk/funding.php). The trust will prioritise infant and primary schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most of your questions can be answered more fully in the Syllabus booklet. Please let us know if you have any queries not answered.

  • The Syllabus can be downloaded from our website. If you would like a copy sent to you by email, please send a request to Anne Webb on annewebb@acousticnations.com.

  • Entries are made through our Online Entry portal. Click on ‘How to Enter’ and follow the step-by-step instructions.

  • No. Late entries delay the timetabling of the classes and therefore scheduling information which needs to be circulated to all performers. All entries should be received by midnight of the closing date. The closing date is changed each year and can be found in the Syllabus and the website.

  • No. The piece you perform must not change from your application.

  • If you wish to use one of our Official Accompanists, you must book them at the time of entry.

  • Yes. But please be aware that we cannot adjust the schedule because your teacher is in another venue accompanying another pupil. Performers are invited to provide their own accompanist but, if preferred, there is an official accompanist available. The availability of an official accompanist is subject to competitors stating on the entry form that they require this service. There is an additional fee, and this must be sent with the entry. It is generally possible to have a short run-through in the hour preceding the class. Most music can be handed to the accompanist on the day of the competition. The accompaniments supplied must be in the correct key. The use of a backing track is acceptable, if it does not infringe any copyright restrictions. The competitor should bring their own equipment on which to play the backing track. If the piece to be performed has a written accompaniment, then it should not be performed unaccompanied.

  • No, it is your responsibility to send the printed music to the Music Co-ordinator.  Separate sheets must be sellotaped together, edge on, in page order, and in a readable condition from which the accompanist can play. Ensure that music shows both ends of the stave and that neither end is cut off.

  • No. Please do not use registered post or any kind of postal service that requires a signature on delivery.

  • We only allow the use of backing tracks for certain classes, so please check the syllabus booklet.

  • Yes, but you can bring your own through prior arrangement.

  • Yes, although we do strongly recommend that you use the Official Accompanist if you are making multiple entries. We cannot make adjustments after the scheduling has been done in order to avoid clashes.

  • No. The entry fee covers administration costs which will already have been entered into whilst managing the receipts of entries.

  • Speech and Drama pieces do not need to be sent in unless there is ‘adult content’ in any Own Choice piece. A photocopy of Own Choice pieces should be handed to the adjudicator before the performance.

  • Of course. We encourage all performers to bring an audience with them. Tickets can be purchased on the door, children free. These tickets give you access to all the classes for the day.

  • No. All recording devices (cameras, phones, tablets) are strictly forbidden during performances and adjudication. Please be aware that we will stop a performance if we are aware of filming taking place. This is following copyright laws and our Child Protection Policy. An official Festival photographer will be available during the festival.

  • You (or your teacher) will be sent an email with all the information you need well before the festival. Try to get to your class about 10 minutes before it is scheduled to start – the running order might not be as published in the timetable so be prepared to perform earlier or later than expected.

  • Southside has two car parks available:

    • A limited on-site car park

    • A larger car park opposite (edge of South Common across the road from the venue).

    Parking availability will be specific to each event. Please check the event listing for more information on car park availability. We encourage you to travel to us on foot or via public transport where possible. Where this is not possible, other limited unrestricted car parking is available in the surrounding areas, however, please respect our neighbours and park sensibly if doing so.


    Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church has plenty of on-site parking. 

    ​

    Please email at least 48 hours in advance, if you are a Disabled badge holder, to reserve a space in our on-site car park.

  • If you realise you are going to be late, please, if possible, call the Southside contact number. Unless adjudication has started, you will be able to perform at the end of the class – just let the Room Steward know that you have arrived. We try to schedule the programme so that clashes are avoided but we can’t guarantee it. If you are in another class that is running late, you may leave before the adjudication. Leaving before adjudication will not affect your mark – our adjudicators are used to performers leaving or arriving midway through a class. If you do have to leave or enter a room midway through a class, please be as quiet as possible and wait for the Room Steward to open the door. Never leave or arrive when someone is performing.

  • Most school children wear their uniform, even if they are performing on Saturday, but it isn’t compulsory.  Smart and comfortable is the choice for our older teens and adult performers. For the Festival Concert, we suggest evening wear (or smart party clothes for our younger performers).

  • No. You will not be awarded more marks for costume or make-up: you might have marks withheld or deducted.  Small hand props are allowed but must be kept to a minimum and only used if necessary.

  • We are limited for space, so a pre-performance rehearsal room isn’t always available. Please ask the stewards or a committee member on the day.

  • Speech and Drama performers should announce the title and author of their piece before the performance commences. Music performers are invited to do the same by way of introduction.

  • The length of each session depends upon the number of performances in the class. The timetable / programme gives the start time of the next class, which will be the end time of the previous class.

  • Mark sheets and certificates are given out after each class. If you are not in the class when these are handed out, please contact annewebb@acousticnations.com  to arrange to provide you with the mark sheet and certificates.

  • If you are awarded a trophy you, your teacher or parents will have to fill in a form with all your contact details including email address and telephone number. The committee will contact you in plenty of time to remind you to engrave and return your trophy to Southside, Colegrave Street, Lincoln LN5 8DW.

  • Bottled water and other refreshments are available to purchase from the Southside bars. We cannot allow any food or hot drinks to be taken into the venues, but there will be food and hot drinks available to purchase.

  • The Festival Concert will be held at Southside, late afternoon on Sunday, 22 March 2026. The atmosphere is meant to be relaxed, and a showcase of the talent and variety of our entrants contribute to the festival. We invite outstanding performers, who have not just won their individual class, but who we feel will be part of an entertaining programme for the whole audience.

    Winners of music classes who take part in the Festival Concert will be provided with an accompanist. If you are invited to perform in the Festival Concert and are unable to attend, it is imperative that you inform the Festival Secretary as soon as possible, so that the programme can be arranged. Invited performers receive two free tickets: one for themselves and one for a guest.

    There is an admission charge of £4 for this Festival Concert (including a prize giving ceremony). There will be a Festival Concert programme on sale. 

    All performers will be provided with guidance, timetable, and requirement for their concert performance. 


    Please email (Anne Webb on annewebb@acousticnations.com) if you have any queries concerning the Festival Concert.

  • There are many ways you can support the festival by becoming a:

    • Festival volunteer to help us run the festival. There are several roles from selling tickets on the door, to announcing performers and handing out certificates. 

    • Sponsor or advertiser – if you would like to sponsor a class or take out an advertisement in our programme please contact Anne Webb (annewebb@acousticnations.com) for more information.

General Rules & Regulations

  • The Lincoln Music & Drama Festival is open to amateurs only, except the Open Classes which are also open to professionals. An amateur is considered as one who does not derive the main part of their income from the subject entered. Students under 19 years of age are amateurs for the purposes of the competitions.

  • Where age limits apply, they refer to the age the competitor will be on 31st August 2026 (the end of the academic year), thereby making the 'xx years and under' categories more relevant to individual entrants than they were previously. For example, children who turn 11 during the 2025-26 academic year may perform in classes for 11 years and under; those turning 17 may perform in classes for 17 years and under, and so on. For group entries, the class is determined by the age of the oldest competitor in the group, unless the class is 'Open'.

  • Unless otherwise stated, competitors may perform only once in each class, except in duet, trio or ensemble classes where a competitor may perform more than once, provided that a different part is performed. Solo competitors may not enter a class if, for three consecutive years, they have been the winner of that class. Solo competitors may not enter a class if they have received tuition from the adjudicator in the last two years. Conductors may not sing with their choirs.

  • Under the terms of GDPR, the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival undertakes not to pass on any information about competitors or members, and to use such information only for the purpose of the festival.

  • Information will be sent to competitors at least ten days before the date of the competition. The Committee reserves the right to limit, cancel or subdivide any class, to combine two similar classes, or to transfer classes from one day to another. In exceptional circumstances, there may be a change of adjudicator.

  • Competitors and their accompanists are admitted without charge. Children of school age and competitors' music/drama teachers are admitted without charge. Volunteers of the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival are admitted without charge. Other visitors will be required to pay a small fee for admission.

  • The programme will be sent to performers by email about three weeks before the festival date. Performers should collect their tickets, on the day of the festival, from the Reception Desk; these will have the performer’s name, class number and time of the class written on them. Performers will not be admitted to any class without their tickets being presented to the Door Steward.

  • The adjudicators' decisions are final. Awards may be withheld if, in the opinion of the adjudicator, sufficient merit is not shown. No entrant, teacher or interested party may discuss any aspect of the festival with an adjudicator before, during or after classes, except at the invitation of the adjudicator. Adjudications and certificates are normally available at the end of each class. Competitors who do not perform at the scheduled time will not receive any marks.

  • Time limits must be observed. If a competitor chooses to introduce their item, this must be included in the overall time limit where set. The performance may be stopped if the time limit is exceeded, and over-long performances will not be eligible for any prize.

  • Full details of the title and composer/author of 'own choice' items must be shown on the entry form. Any competitor who does not perform their stated choice as printed in the programme will receive adjudication but will NOT receive marks or a certificate or be eligible for any prize. Likewise, any competitor who fails to provide a copy of their 'own choice' piece will receive adjudication but will NOT receive marks or a certificate. Competitors may not perform the same 'own choice' in more than one class.

  • For Speech & Drama competitors, it is not necessary to seek copyright permission to perform poetry, prose or solo dramatic items. Competitors entering duologues and group dramatic activity classes must contact publishers for permission to perform and pay the required fee. Competitors must produce evidence of copyright clearance. Items must be announced with title and author at the time of performance. Words or gender of a character must not be changed. For Music competitors, if the 'own choice' composition is from a large publication and the piece is not published separately, one copy may be made for the use of the adjudicator. The copy will be retained and destroyed after the competition. The accompanist should always be given a printed copy of the music. Music which has been downloaded from the internet must be accompanied by the permission statement which accompanies the music.

  • Adjudicators’ copies:

    Performers must provide a copy and hand it to the adjudicator before the beginning of the performance item. Performers are reminded that it is illegal to photocopy (or copy by any other means) works which are copyright, without permission of the copyright holder. The festival and the adjudicator(s) may refuse copied items where the competitor cannot produce evidence of permission to copy.

    A Revised Code of Practice, issued on behalf of the Music Publishers Association, authorises the copying of any work, published in volumes only, for the adjudicator. The accompanist must only play from an authentic purchased copy (or legal photocopy). The Music Publishers Association’s website can be found at http://www.mpaonline.org.uk and you can telephone 0207 580 0126.

    In a few publications by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music the phrase “Reprinted by permission for use only in connection with the Examinations of the Royal Schools of Music...” appears at the bottom of the page. You must obtain permission from the copyright owner before performing these pieces at the festival.

    Copying Verse/Poetry and Prose:

    A copy of the chosen text must be provided for the adjudicator by the performer. The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) encourages respect for copyright licenses. A CLA licence allows copying from most books, periodicals and journals published in the UK. This does not apply to music. Festivals may copy as many items as they wish, but under the CLA standard licence they may only make up to nine copies of each item.

  • Trophies and/or cups will normally be presented at the end of the class. Trophies which are awarded for the highest marks in a particular section will be presented during the Festival Concert on the early evening of Sunday, 22 March 2026. All cups and trophies remain the property of the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival. They are held by the winners for eleven months and must be returned before 10 January 2027. Winners must sign for receipt of the cup or trophy and are required to enter a bond of safe custody of the item, and to bear the cost if they wish to have their names engraved on it.

  • If you require further clarification of any of the rules and regulations, please contact Anne Webb on annewebb@acousticnations.com.

  • Complaints or objections relating to the festival will only be considered if submitted in writing to the Festival Secretary. The address can be found at the beginning of this syllabus.