A new competition for young British musicians, with a fully funded recording for the winner, has been launched. The Orchid Music Charitable Trust has announced the first annual competition, which will take place at London's Wigmore Hall on June 26, and which is open to British singers and instrumentalists aged between 16 and 30. The winner will make a recording to be released on the Orchid Classics label. The competition is sponsored by Brompton's, auctioneers of fine and rare instruments.

The jury comprises Catherine Bott (soprano and Classic FM presenter), John Gilhooly (Director, Wigmore Hall), Paul Hughes (General Manager, BBC Symphony Orchestra), James Jolly (Editor in Chief, Gramophone), Guy Johnston (cellist), Martin Roscoe (pianist) and Elizabeth Watts (soprano).

A short list of four musicians will be drawn from the applicants and the final-round auditions will take place at Wigmore Hall on June 26 between 12 and 4pm. Application details can be found at www.orchidclassics.com/omct. The closing date of entries is April 30.