Furness Tradition Song Competition 2026
Cumbrian Environment, Landscape and Culture

Welcome to our song competition. We have had many great entries over the years and we love how every writer connects with and celebrates our Cumbrian heritage.

Our theme this year is, “Cumbrian Environment, Landscape and Culture”.

We’re excited to see how you interpret this into song and music.

Our judges, Mike and Nick, are passionate about our competition both being accomplished song writers themselves. They are committed to giving every entry a fair chance. They listen to each several times over and discuss the lyrics in depth giving scores to each category to reach an eventual winner.

We really look forward to receiving your entry.

There may be an opportunity for the winner and runner-up to perform their songs at Furness Tradition Folk Festival this year. We have really enjoyed supporting local writers and performers in this way giving them a chance to showcase their compositions.

Please take time to read the rules and judging criteria below.

All entries must be submitted via email to:

song.competition2026@furnesstradition.org.uk

Closing Date: 30th June 2026

Please ensure your submission has included all the information and files required outlined below.

Submission Requirements: Please include

  1. Name of the song.

  2. Date when the song was written.

  3. Full name of writer(s).

  4. Contact details for writer(s): Phone number and email.

  5. Recorded performance of the song on MP3 format.

  6. Lyric sheet of song on PDF or Word doc.

  7. Maximum of two voices and two instruments on the recording.

  8. List of performers and instruments on the recording.

Rules

  1. Song has original lyrics and non-copyrighted melody: (Traditional melody is permitted.)

  2. Song is written by the person(s) submitting it.

  3. Song is not written using Artificial Intelligence.

  4. Maximum of two writers per song.

  5. Only one song entry per person(s) permitted.

  6. Song is submitted for the  Furness Tradition Song Competition 2026 only.

  7. Song is a maximum of 7 minutes in length.

  8. Winning prize £50. 

  9. Closing date for entries: 30.06.26.

  10. Recording and lyrics for the song can be used on Furness Tradition website, social media channels and publications.

  11. Furness Tradition judges, committee members and trustees excluded from entry to the competition.

  12. Song relates to the current theme of “Cumbrian Environment, Landscape and Culture”

Judges:
Mike Willoughby and Nick Marshall.

Judging criteria:
The song will be judged on its merit, not on the quality of recording!

  • Judges listen to the song on MP3 and read the lyrics.

  • Judges award points for all categories.

  • Judge’s totals are added up to achieve overall results.

  1. Overall song impact

  2. Quality of lyric

  3. Quality of song melody

  4. Relevance to the theme