Annual WordSong Competitions
Association of Singers and Speakers in English | a.k.a. AESS
Speakers
(18 – 23)
Competition
CAA Actors’
Composers
(35 and under)
Competition
‘Leonard’
Senior
(23 – 32)
Competition
‘Routledge”
Intermediate
(18 – 23)
Competition
Richardson
Junior
(13 – 18)
Competition
Lambert
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5 Competitions
We run five competitions every year for young singers, actors and composers.
The "Routledge" (Senior) and "Richardson" (Intermediate) prizes, in addition, offer a pianist’s prize.
In Upcoming Date-Order
Patricia Routledge Prize
Level: Senior
Title: Patricia Routledge English Song Competition
Eligibility: Singers and pianists aged 23-32 (includes a pianist’s prize)
Where: Tagg’s Yard, Barnes, SW13 0JZ | Hinde St Methodist Church, W1U 2QJ
Application Closing:
22 June 2026
Preliminary Round:
29 June 2026
Final Round:
6 July 2026
Dorothy Richardson Prize
Level: Intermediate
Title: Dorothy Richardson English Song Competition
Eligibility: Singers and pianists aged 18 – 23 (includes a pianist’s prize)
Where: Tonbridge, Kent
Application Closing:
18 Oct 2026
Preliminary Round:
25 Oct 2026
Final Round:
1 Nov 2026
Catherine Lambert English Song Prize
Level: Junior
Title: Catherine Lambert Junior Recital Competition
Eligibility: Singers aged 13 – 18
Where: Tagg’s Yard SW13 0JZ / Hammersmith W6 7BS, London
7Application Closing:
TBA 2027
Preliminary Round:
Feb 2027 TBA
Final Round:
Mar 2027 TBA
CAA Actors’ Prize
Title: Concert Artistes’ Association (CAA) Prize for Actors
Eligibility: Student actors aged 18 – 23
Where: CAA, 20 Bedford St., London WC2E 9HP
Application Closing:
Mar 2027 TBA
Preliminary Round:
Apr 2027 TBA
Final Round:
Apr 2027 TBA
Composers Prize
Title: Sarah Leonard Song Writing Competition
Eligibility: Composers 35 and under
Where: OnLine
Application Closing:
Apr 2027 TBA
Online Competition
Results announced
May 2027 TBA
Age Restrictions
Please refer to the respective competition pages for details.
Travel Expenses
Please ask if you need help.