Young singers around the island are being urged to enter for a prestigious music competition.

The biennaal Young Singer of Mann competition gets under way early next month at the Erin Arts Centre, and the organisers are encouraging any young singer between the ages of eight and 15 years old to put their names forward and take part in the contest.

The contest is widely regarded as one of the most important youth music competitions in the island, and the list of past winners includes many singers who have gone on to further musical studies and find success both on and off the island.

There is to be two rounds of competition, with the first being held on Sunday, August 9, from 2pm.

The final round takes place on Sunday, September 6.

The winner will receive a prize of £150, along with a glass trophy and goblet, provided by the Isle of Man Arts Council.

Judges for this year include Emma Callin, Fenella Basin and organiser John Bethell, who believes that the competition gives something for young local singers to aspire to.

’We hold this competition every two years, along with our other biennial competition, the Young Musician of Mann,’ said John.

’It is a chance to appear on the same stage as other singers. It also does singers good to enter competitions such as this as it shows the standards that can be reached, and it gives them something to aspire to in the future.’

The event was first held in 1992, when the competition had separate prizes for male and female singers, and the first holders of the title were Kristene Sutcliffe and Dovad Kermeen.

Kristene went on to study at the Northern College of Music before embarking on a successful career as an opera singer in the UK and Europe.

Other winners have included singing and drama tutor Olivia Black and Manx Radio personality Michelle Jamieson.

Recent winners have included Christian Cooper, who is currently studying drama in the UK and Robyn-Mae Lawler.

The current holder of the Young Singer of Mann title is Erin Loach, who won in 2018.

The deadline for entries is Friday, July 31.

More details are available at erinartscentre.com