Kathleen Ferrier Bursary Competition

Her appeal transcends all ages and generations, more so perhaps than any other singer and her voice is still heard and loved by millions around the world.

This one day Bursary Competition will feature 16 short recitals by eight outstanding undergraduates, before five finalists are chosen with prizes presented to the winners at the end of the evening.

Kathleen Ferrier, the UK’s most iconic twentieth century classical singer, came from Blackburn. Having established an international career with the greatest conductors and composers, she died tragically at 41.

The Kathleen Ferrier Bursary was set up in 1996 by her sister Winifred, Kathleen Hopcroft (her god-daughter), Sylvia Alexander and Robert Langstaff. It is a one day competition;  the 8 UK Music Conservatoires each select two outstanding students who have just completed their first year as undergraduates.

We are thrilled to be returning to Blackburn this year, for the first time in stunning Cathedral, just a stone’s throw from where Kathleen worked as a telephonist.

Many previous winners now have glittering international careers, so we hope that many people from the town will come and hear them at the beginning of their journey.