This year's Junior X Factor talent competition in Harborough will take place with a new format - here are the details

A top Market Harborough music charity is busy rejigging its successful annual Junior X Factor talent competition due to the virus pandemic.

Great Bowden Recital Trust (GBRT) has staged the popular contest for gifted young musicians since 2008.

But this year the event will take on a new format due to Covid-19.

Face-to-face heats and the finals concert are being replaced by video entries and a virtual concert.

The competition is open to all composers, singers and instrumentalists in school years 1-13 who live within 20 miles of Market Harborough.

The trust aims to give young people an opportunity to increase their confidence and musical skills.

Every entrant will receive written feedback from the judges, who are professional musicians, with suggestions for future improvement.

The tournament is free to enter and prizes worth a total of £850 will be awarded in the following categories:

Best Vocal Performance will receive £25 music store vouchers and £175 vocal lessons funded by GBRT

Best Instrumental Performance will receive £50 music store vouchers and £150 instrumental lessons funded by GBRT

Best Original Composition will receive £200 music store vouchers

One of the above category winners will also be chosen as the Overall Winner of the competition - and will receive an additional £50 music store vouchers

Most promising vocalist and most promising instrumentalist will each receive £100 vocal or instrumental lessons funded by GBRT.

To enter the competition young musicians and singers need to record a video of themselves performing a piece of up to five minutes long and upload it to the Trust’s Dropbox by Friday March 5.

A panel of expert judges will review all entries.

And every performer who reaches the required standard will be invited to take part in the Virtual Finals Concert on YouTube on Saturday March 27, where the winners will be announced.

Young composers are also invited to submit an original piece of music or a song up to five minutes long and the top three will be played in the virtual concert.

Sue Benson, GBRT’s Managing Trustee, said: “We are disappointed not able to run the competition in the usual way this year.

“But GBRT’s Trustees felt strongly that it was vital to continue to offer musical opportunities to local young people in whatever way we can. “Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on music, as it has in many other areas of life.

“Many of the choirs, orchestras and bands that are important for young people’s musical development have been unable to meet in person since March last year.”

She added: “Music has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

“We hope that the competition will give young people something positive to focus on and work towards during lockdown.

“We are very grateful to the competition’s sponsor Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity for supporting the change to the new format.”

Visit the Trust’s website at https://www.gbrecitaltrust.co.uk/ for full details.