Music Competition Judges Announced
Leading figures from music, culture and public life announced as judges for HMD Harmony, including Rob Rinder MBE; Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE; Matthew Schellhorn; and Alex Sobel MP.
Broadcaster, Chair of Jewish Music Institute and advocate for Holocaust remembrance Rob Rinder MBE; award winning performer, Principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE; acclaimed pianist and educator Matthew Schellhorn; and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music, Alex Sobel MP are part of the judging panel for HMD Harmony, our new music competition.
They will be joined on the panel by Dr Linda Asquith, HMDT Trustee and musician, and Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, together bringing musical expertise with a deep understanding of Holocaust remembrance and the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day.
HMD Harmony is open to UK-based musicians and composers aged 18–25 and invites entrants to create an original piece inspired by the Holocaust Memorial Day 2027 theme, No Place for Prejudice. Entries can be in any musical style or genre, from classical and contemporary to electronic, folk, jazz and pop.
The winning composition will become part of the UK National Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony on 27 January 2027, giving an emerging musician or group the opportunity to share their work as part of the nation’s day of remembrance. The winner will also receive a £500 award to support the next stage of their musical journey.
Olivia Marks-Woldman, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said:
“HMD Harmony gives young people the opportunity to bring their own creativity to remembrance. We hope it will encourage a new generation to understand why remembrance matters and the role we can all play in standing against prejudice today.”
