Reading Male Voice Choir launch Gwyn Arch Young Singers’ Competition 2025-26

Reading Male Voice Choir (RMVC), one of the south of England’s premiere choirs, was established in autumn 1971 by our late musical director, Gwyn Arch MBE, with the aim of providing an opportunity for developing male choral singing and to provide entertainment for performers and audience. We are still going strong: we celebrated our 50th anniversary, and fifty years of singing, in 2022-23 and we were recently received the ‘What's On Reading’ Cultural Champions 2024-25 award.

Gwyn (who died in 2021, aged 90) was Director of Music at Bulmershe College of Higher Education. He was active in promoting choral singing in the Reading area for over 50 years, for all voices, and alongside RMVC he founded and ran the Bulmershe Girls’ Choir, South Chiltern Choral Society, and the Parenthesis Choir. His musical legacy in Reading is significant and touched many local people; and in 2006 he was awarded the MBE for services to music in Berkshire.

Reading Male Voice Choir is particularly proud of its links with and support for the local community, particularly with young singers. To enhance this further the choir, as part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations, launched The Gwyn Arch Young Singers’ Competition, to identify, encourage and promote young singers. This was open to young singers, divided into three age groups between the ages of 11-21 years.

The competition consists of three categories:

Junior 10–13 years*                  Youth 14–16 years*                Young Adult 17–21 years*

The winner of each category will receive a financial award:

Junior – £100                              Youth – £200                             Young Adult – £300

and will be invited to perform at an ‘All Winners’ Concert’ with RMVC to be held in June 2026.

Expressions of interest may be made through schools, music teachers and musical societies, and directly from individuals for the Young Adult category. Interested applicants should submit a video of their performance for initial assessment.

Successful participants in each category will then be invited to auditions to perform two contrasting songs. Assessment will be based on voice quality and the choice of repertoire for the age and voice. The initial video submission can be accompanied, sung to a backing track or be unaccompanied. If candidates are then selected, the live audition should be accompanied or a cappella. Accompaniment can be provided if needed by prior arrangement.

Assessment will be by a small panel including a qualified adjudicator who will provide personal feedback to each singer on their performance. Each singer will also receive a certificate.

Participants in the Junior and Youth categories must be accompanied to the audition by a responsible adult.

While this competition is principally for soloists, duets will also be considered.

For entry form, please visit rmvc.net/ysc

  • The closing date for entries is Saturday 31 January 2026
  • Auditions will be held at the Abbey School Reading, on Saturday 28th March 2026
  • The Competition will be held at The Abbey School, Reading, on Saturday 9 March 2024
  • The Competition is open to young singers of all genders between the ages of 11 and 21. Entrants can have their own accompanist, or RMVC an provide an accompanist for them on the day (with advance notice).