Hastings winner

Coro Nuovo has announced that 23-year-old flautist Juliet Beadle from Hastings has been named the winner of the 2026 Sussex Young Musician Competition, following a closely contested final held at St Wilfrid’s Church, Haywards Heath on Saturday, July 11.

Juliet impressed adjudicator Stephen Maddock, principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, with an expressive and poised performance, securing first prize ahead of fellow finalists Dorothy Whyte-Venables, soprano from Chidham, and Edelyn Spina, clarinettist from Chichester.

The annual competition supports outstanding young musicians with a Sussex connection by providing bursaries to help further their musical education and professional development.

Juliet received the Coro Nuovo Award (£2,500) together with the Sussex Symphony Orchestra Performance Award. Dorothy received the Colin & Joyce Sewell-Rutter Award (£1,500), while Edelyn received the Simply Business Finance Award (£750).

Currently completing a master’s degree in performance at the Royal College of Music, Juliet plans to use the bursary to support further musical studies in Norway through the Erasmus programme.

Kate Kent, chair of Coro Nuovo and co-founder of the Sussex Young Musician Competition, said: “Each year we are inspired by the exceptional standard of musicianship shown by our finalists. Juliet is a thoroughly deserving winner, and we are delighted that all three finalists will benefit from awards that will help them continue their musical development. Supporting the next generation of outstanding young musicians from Sussex is at the heart of everything this competition aims to achieve.”

Adjudicator Stephen Maddock praised both the standard of the finalists and the competition itself: “This competition is a stunning thing to do and so unique to Sussex.”

As part of the competition, each finalist also received detailed individual feedback from Stephen, reflecting Coro Nuovo’s commitment to supporting young musicians beyond the financial awards themselves.