This page lists forthcoming CPD courses run by external organisations. It also lists details of competitions and awards and is updated regularly.  The entries are divided into two sections, Conferences & Courses and Awards, Contests & Scholarships.

The ISM also runs several seminars each year. Details of current seminars can be found here. Alternatively, join our mailing list to be kept up-to-date by email.

Instrumental and vocal teachers may be interested in the Music Teaching in Professional Practice (Mtpp) Initiative, which Reading University has been running since 1994 in partnership with the ISM. This postgraduate programme enables private and other instrumental and vocal teachers to study by distance-learning for a recognised qualification while continuing to work in their studios. For details, contact: Mtpp, University of Reading, School of Education, Faculty of Education & Community Studies, Bulmershe Court, Earley, Reading RG6 1HY, tel: 0118 931 8843, E. mtpp@reading.ac.uk, W. http://www.reading.ac.uk/education/Professionaldev/ioe-MTPP.asp.

> The Institute of Education, part of the University of London, has established a new course, Health Protection and Well-Being in Music Performance and Music Education. The course is divided into four day-long sessions between 25 January and 2 May 2008. It covers the physical, physiological and psychological aspects of musical performance, and is aimed at musicians in education, music therapists, animateurs and performers. Participants can attend one or all of the sessions. Contact: Dr Ioulia Papageorgi, Institute of Education, University of London, 20 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AL. T. 020 7911 5376, E. i.papageorgi@ioe.ac.uk, W. www.ioe.ac.uk

> ISM member Penelope Roskell, pianist, Professor of Piano at Trinity College of Music and presenter of a Yoga for Musicians DVD, is holding four Advanced Piano Courses throughout 2008 and 2009 in North London. This year's dates are 7-9 March and 5-7 September. The courses include work on repertoire, technique and study methods, as well as yoga for pianists. Eight students per course with two bursaries available. Contact: Penelope Roskell, 66 Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, London N16 5UQ, T. 0208 802 6258, E. peneloperoskell@blueyonder.co.uk.

> ISM members Anne Applin and Geoffrey Pratley are running three Piano Duet Courses throughout 2008. They will be held at Shrewsbury on 11-13 April, Wells (11-13 July), and at Benslow Music Trust (13-16 October). Participants will be introduced to some unfamiliar duet repertoire and receive tuition from Anne and Geoffrey, themselves established duet pianists. Contact: T. 01223 240418, E. anne.applin@btinternet.com, W. www.piano-duet.co.uk.

> Pianist and teacher Kate Elmitt is running a “Kick Start” Piano Course on 18-20 April (for players at Grades 3-6), and an Advanced Piano Course on 8 June (Grades 7+), at Arlesey in Befordshire.  Each course includes meals and refreshments, and the longer weekend course in April can be residential or non-residential.   Contact: Kate Elmitt, T. 01462 622222, E. elmitt@btinternet.com.

> The British Double Reed Society is holding Oboe and Bassoon Classes as part of its Annual Convention, being held at the Royal Military School of Music in Twickenham on Sunday 27 April 2008. Performers of all standards can take part in workshops and chamber music coaching, while advanced students can participate in masterclasses led by Alex Klein and Sergio Azzolini. There will also be reed adjustment classes, and talks from distinguished oboists and bassoonists. Contact: BDRS Convention Secretary, 165 Hanover Road, LONDON, NW10 3DN, W. www.bdrs.org.uk.

> The London Conducting Workshop is holding two courses in July and August 2008. The main course is taking place at the Royal College of Music to 28 July - 1 August and will be taught by John Farrer and Neil Thomson. In addition, workshops will be held at Champs Hill, West Sussex from 23-26 July. Application deadline: 14 April 2008. Contact: Pawlina Bednarczyk, Arts-Wise, T. 0772 091 3756, E. pawlina@tiscali.co.uk, W. www.london-conducting-workshop.com.

> Guitar France! 2008, a course for intermediate and advanced players, will be held in Bagnoles de L'Orne, Southern Normandy, from 30 July - 4 August 2008. It will be led by ISM members Gary Ryan and Craig Ogden, and include workshops, individual tuition and performance opportunities. Contact: T. 01689 840076, E. guitarfrance@klh-artists.co.uk, W. www.guitarfrance.com.

> The 31st Chateau de Ligoure Guitar Course takes place between 9-19 August 2008, near Limoges, in France’s Limousin region. Teachers and performers this year include Jean-Pierre and Antoine Billet, Jean-Marc Roulet and Anne Elizabeth Petit. The course director will be ISM member Eleftheria Kotzia. Contact: T. 020 8785 4054 or (+33) 4 7336 26 63, E. ellie@eleftheria.info, W. www.guitarenfrance.org.

> The Kenneth van Barthold Edinburgh Piano Workshop celebrates its 40th year in 2008, and takes place over three weeks during the Edinburgh International Festival, from 11-29 August. Participants attend tuition with Kenneth van Barthold and Nicholas Pope, and can participate in concerts and recitals. Students can attend for any or all of the three weeks. Contact: Kenneth van Barthold, Arvensis, Stour Lane, Stour Row, Shaftesbury, SP7 0QJ.  T. 01747 838318, E. Kvanbarthold@aol.com, W.www.morgensternsdiaryservice.com/Kenneth.Van.Barthold.

> The International Computer Music Conference is taking place at Queen’s University in Belfast from 24-29 August 2008. The theme is ‘Roots/Routes’, and the Conference will examine the synergies between computer music and traditional musics. The committee welcomes papers on this theme, and on all traditional areas of computer music, as well as compositions for a Chamber ensemble from the Ulster Orchestra which will be available at the Conference. Contact: E. admin@icmc2008.net, W. www.icmc.net.

> Spiro Ark, the Jewish cultural organisation, is organising a Performance Competition of Israeli Music in June/July 2008. Soloists and chamber ensembles under 35 can enter, and will be required to play prescribed classical works and, in later rounds, Israeli pieces. The prize is £1,000 plus a performance at the Purcell Room in London. Closing date: 24 March 2008. Contact: Spiro Ark Tzavta Department, 25-26 Enford Street, London, W1H 1DW. T. 020 7723 9991, W. www.spiroark.org

> The Wilhelm Stenhammar International Music Competition is a competition for singers of all nationalities, held in Norrköping, East-Central Sweden on 4-13 June 2008. The prize includes €30,000 and a series of engagements. Closing date: 30 March 2008. Contact: Wilhelm Stenhammar Stiftelse, PO Box 2154, SE-600 02 Norrköping, Sweden. E. stenhammarcompetition@norrkoping.se, W. www.stenhammarcompetition.se

> The Wandsworth Piano Competition 2008 is open to pianists living, working or having strong connections with the London Borough of Wandsworth. Application deadline: April 2008. Contact: WSO, 28 Burntwood Lane, London SW17 0JZ, W. www.londonswso.org.uk

> The International Wind Ensemble/Concert Band Composition Contest has a first prize of €8,000. The competition is open to composers of any age or nationality and the composition should be between 15 and 25 minutes. Application deadline: 15 April 2008. Contact: CC het SPOOR, Eilandstraat 6, 8530 Harelbeke, Belgium, T. +32 (0)56 73 34 20, F. +32 (0)56 73 34 29, E. cchetspoor@harelbeke.be, W. www.ccharelbeke.com.