The competition has taken place annually since 1983.  Winners have represented the full spectrum of musical instrumets and the following list shows the distribution.

    'Cello                     3

    Clarinet                 3

    Flute                      1

    French Horn         2

    Guitar                    1

    Harp                      1

    Piano                    7

    Saxophone          1

    Violin                     8

    Alto Recorder      1

Many finalists have won places at the major music colleges in the UK and even overseas. Some pursue careers in music, either in teaching or performing in chamber groups and orchestras.    

The 2010 Competition was won by Charlotte Barbour-Condini playing alto recorder. 

  The 2010 competition had 51 entrants, a record for this event.  Eight passed through the preliminary rounds and appeared in the finals on 3rd July.

The field was very diverse and instruments to be played at the finals include Violin (2), Alto Recorder, Piano, Trumpet, Clarinet, Harp and 'Cello.