Vocal Syllabus

Entries open 01/01/2026 and close 25/02/2026

Wednesday 6th May, Thursday 7th May and Monday 11th May at Redhill United Reformed Church, Upper Hall

Adjudicator: Lucy Cronin

Lucy CroninLucy Cronin is a widely experienced and stylistically versatile soprano, with a voice of “sparkling clarity” (Opera Today). She has performed as soprano soloist at distinguished venues such as St Martin-in-the-Fields, St John’s Smith Square, Kings Place and Queen Elizabeth Hall, and as far afield as Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall. Lucy has also featured as a soloist at jazz and performing arts festivals across the UK, as well as in Europe and China.

Formerly a Choral Scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge, Lucy now sings regularly with a number of highly regarded ensembles including Echo Vocal Ensemble, London Choral Sinfonia and The Sixteen. She is a member of the professional quartet at St Stephen’s Gloucester Road in London and a founding member of the contemporary vocal group Shards, with whom she recently featured at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. She has collaborated with a wide range of artists including AURORA, Kim Deal and Nils Frahm.

Lucy is in high demand as a singing teacher, currently teaching at Charterhouse, Donhead Preparatory School, Hampton Court House, South Hampstead High School and Whitgift School. She has appeared as a guest speaker at the Choir Schools Association Annual Conference and is an experienced competition adjudicator.

Enquiries

Any enquiries about this section should be emailed to: vocal@rrfestival.org

Accompanist

You are welcome to use your own accompanist or you can use one of our festival accompanists. See here for details.

In cases of financial need, The Cheryl King Trust (now incorporating the Robert Bouffler Music Trust) may be able to help with accompanist costs for children and young people. Please contact Barbara Barnes at barbara@cherylkingtrust.org.uk.

Rules

For a full list of the Festival’s rules and regulations see here.

Please take note of Rule 3a: it is a condition of our Surrey County Council performance licence that all performers in school years 11 and below must be accompanied by an appropriate adult at all times while at Festival venues.

In addition, the following section rules apply;

  • Backing tracks are not permitted;
    • If you wish to sing a popular song with a backing track, please consider entering the Rock, Pop and Urban section;
  • A copy of your music must be handed to the adjudicator before the start of your performance;
  • Simple props are permitted in appropriate classes.

All classes

Choice of Music: There are no set pieces. You may perform one piece of your own choice, appropriate to the class you are entering. Three pieces to be performed in the Recital class.

A translation or synopsis of songs in languages other than English is welcome, but not essential. A brief explanation may be given verbally.

Please check the time limit for your class.

Junior Vocal Classes

Up to and including 18 years

100 Non-competitive Solo (Boys and Girls, 18yrs or under) Any genre
Award: Adjudicator comments only
Own Choice of one song.
Fee ₤6.00
18 and younger
Up to 4 mins

101 Classical Solo (Boys and Girls 8yrs and under)
Own choice of one classical song.
Fee ₤5.50
8 and younger
Up to 3 mins

102 Classical Solo (Boys and Girls aged 9-10yrs)
Own choice of one classical song.
Fee ₤5.50
Age 9 and 10
Up to 3 mins

103 Classical Solo (Girls and Boys with unchanged voices – 11-12 yrs)
Own choice of one classical song.
Fee ₤5.50
Age 11 and 12
Up to 3 mins

104 Classical Solo (Girls and Boys with unchanged voices 13-14yrs)
Own choice of one classical song.
Fee ₤6.00
Age 13 and 14
Up to 4 mins

105 Classical Solo in English (Girls and Boys with unchanged voices 15yrs)
Own choice of one classical song in English.
Fee ₤6.00
Age 15
Up to 4 mins

106 Classical Solo in English (Boys with changed voices – 15 yrs and under)
Own choice of one classical song in English.
Fee ₤6.00
15 and younger
Up to 4 mins

107 Classical Solo in Another Language (Girls and Boys with unchanged voices 15yrs)
Own choice of a classical song in a language other than English.
Fee ₤6.00
Age 15
Up to 4 mins

108 Classical Solo in Another Language (Boys with changed voices – 15 yrs and under)
Own choice of a classical song in a language other than English.
Fee ₤6.00
15 and younger
Up to 4 mins

109 Classical Solo in English (Girls and Boys 16-18yrs)
Own choice of one classical song in English.
Fee ₤6.00
Age between 16 and 18
Up to 4 mins

110 Classical Solo in Another Language (Boys and Girls 16-18 yrs)
Own choice of a classical solo in a language other than English.
Fee ₤6.00
Age between 16 and 18
Up to 4 mins

111 Folk Song Solo (Boys and Girls up to 12yrs)
Unaccompanied folk song in the original language.
Fee ₤5.50
12 and younger
Up to 3 mins

112 Folk Song Solo (Boys and Girls 13-15yrs)
Unaccompanied folk song in the original language.
Fee ₤6.00
Age between 13 and 15
Up to 4 mins

113 Folk Song Solo (Boys and Girls 16-18yrs)
Unaccompanied folk song in the original language.
Fee ₤6.00
Age between 16 and 18
Up to 4 mins

114 Solo Characterful Song (Boys and Girls, 11yrs and under)
Own choice of song.
Simple costume and/or prop.
Fee ₤5.50
11 and younger
Up to 3 mins

115 ‘Legit’ Musical Theatre Solo (Boys and Girls 11-12yrs)
One suitable song from ‘Legit’ style musical theatre (typically pre 1965).
Fee ₤5.50
Age 11 and 12
Up to 3 mins

116 Modern Musical Theatre (Boys and Girls 11-12 yrs)
One appropriate song from modern musical theatre (typically post 1970).
No backing tracks may be used. Note that this class does not include popular song
Fee ₤5.50
Age 11 and 12
Up to 3 mins

117 ‘Legit’ Musical Theatre Solo (Boys and Girls 13-14yrs)
One suitable song from ‘Legit’ style musical theatre (typically pre 1965).
Fee ₤6.00
Age 13 and 14
Up to 4 mins

118 Modern Musical Theatre (Boys and Girls 13-14 yrs)
One appropriate song from modern musical theatre (typically post 1970).
No backing tracks may be used. Note that this class does not include popular song.
Fee ₤6.00
Age 13 and 14
Up to 4 mins

119 ‘Legit’ Musical Theatre Solo (Boys and Girls 15yrs)
One suitable song from ‘Legit’ style musical theatre (typically pre 1965).
Fee ₤6.00
Age 15
Up to 4 mins

120 Modern Musical Theatre (Boys and Girls 15 yrs)
One appropriate song from modern musical theatre (typically post 1970).
No backing tracks may be used. Note that this class does not include popular song.
Fee ₤6.00
Age 15
Up to 4 mins

121 ‘Legit’ Musical Theatre Solo (Boys and Girls 16-18yrs)
One suitable song from ‘Legit’ style musical theatre (typically pre 1965).
Fee ₤6.00
Age between 16 and 18
Up to 4 mins

122 Modern Musical Theatre (Boys and Girls 16-18 yrs)
One appropriate song from modern musical theatre (typically post 1970).
No backing tracks may be used. Note that this class does not include popular song.
Fee ₤6.00
Age between 16 and 18
Up to 4 mins

123 Popular Song (Boys and Girls 12-15 yrs)
Own choice of one popular song.
Fee ₤6.00
Age between 12 and 15
Up to 4 mins

124 Popular Song (Boys and Girls 16-18 yrs)
Own choice of one popular song
Fee ₤6.00
Age between 16 and 18
Up to 4 mins

125 Duet or Trio (11 yrs and under)
One song in any genre and any combination of voices.
Fee ₤7.00 per duo/trio
Group of 2 to 3 people
11 and younger
Up to 4 mins

126 Duet or Trio (12 to 18 yrs)
One song in any genre or combination of voices.
Fee ₤7.50 per duo/trio
Group of 2 to 3 people
Age between 12 and 18
Up to 5 mins

Senior Vocal Classes

19 years and over.

Introductions are welcomed but should be brief.

Time limits vary. Please check the time limit for your class.

Please note that entries for the traditional song, class 134, are to be sung unaccompanied.

127 Non-Competitive Class, Any Genre
Own choice of one song. Adjudication only.
Fee ₤7.50
19 and older
Up to 4 mins

128 Novice
Own choice of a suitable song. Open to competitors who have not taken part in a festival before. Novices may compete in any other class except Operatic and Recital.
Fee ₤7.50
19 and older
Up to 4 mins

129 Operatic
Own choice of one aria, to be sung in the original key and in the original language or in English.
Fee ₤7.50
19 and older
Up to 6 mins

130 Oratorio
Own choice of one aria from Oratorio or Cantata, in the original key and in the original language, or in English.
Fee ₤7.50
19 and older
Up to 6 mins

131 Recital
Own choice of three contrasting songs, excluding operatic arias.
Fee ₤12.00
19 and older
Up to 12 mins

132 Jazz, Swing or Music Theatre
Own choice of one song. Simple props may be used.
Fee ₤7.50
19 and older
Up to 4 mins

133 Humorous Song
One appropriate song. Simple props may be used.
Fee ₤7.50
Up to 4 mins

134 Traditional Song from any nation, unaccompanied
One song to be sung unaccompanied in the original language.
Fee ₤7.50
19 and older
Up to 4 mins

135 English Song
Own choice of one song excluding folk songs
Fee ₤7.50
19 and older
Up to 4 mins

136 Lieder
Own choice of one song, to be sung in the original language
Fee ₤7.50
19 and older
Up to 4 mins

137 French, Spanish or Italian Song
Own choice of one song, to be sung in the appropriate language. May include early Italian operatic arias.
Fee ₤7.50
19 and older
Up to 4 mins

138 Duet or Trio
One song in any genre and any combination of voices.
Fee ₤8.00 per duo/trio
Group of 2 to 3 people
Up to 6 mins

Concerto Competition
For Concerto entries, please see our Concerto Competition section.

Entries for the Festival open on 1 January and close on 25 February 2026 (enter here). Please ensure your entry is submitted in time!