Entries open for national music competition that connects young people with nature

A national competition that aims to showcase new music by upcoming artists inspired by the natural world is now open for entries.

The Tune Into Nature Music Prize was founded by Professor Miles Richardson, Professor of Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby, and is now in its fourth year.

The unique competition welcomes entries from unsigned musicians and singer/songwriters aged 18 to 30, whose original work demonstrates a true collaboration with nature, including sounds of the natural world.

Organised by The Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby with Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Voice for Nature, EarthPercent and Sounds Right, Tune Into Nature is a music initiative that recognises the value of nature.

Last year’s joint winners were 23-year-old Josephine Illingworth, whose track titled ‘Dawn’ was made from sounds collected from mountain huts across the Dolomites, while the lyrics were taken from entries in the guestbooks from visitors.

The second winning track, Nightingale by Wildforms, aka Dan Cippico, turned bird song into a drum and bass track.

Professor Richardson said:

“While the climate and biodiversity crises dominate headlines, part of the solution lies in rekindling our sense of hope and our bond with nature – as research conducted by the University of Derby has shown.

“The Tune into Nature Music Prize aims to celebrate music that inspires optimism and deepens our connection to the natural world and encourages us to imagine a brighter future.”

Twelve entries will be shortlisted, from which one winner will be chosen. The winning entry will receive £500 and have the option to have the track featured as a new release on a major streaming platform.

The BBC’s music networks will bring listeners details of the prize and the opportunity to hear extracts of some of the shortlisted tracks. The judging panel includes musicians and artists such as Cosmo Sheldrake, Jason Singh, Alice Boyd, Sam Lee, and BBC presenter Elizabeth Alker.

Research from the University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group has found that people with higher levels of nature connectedness enjoy improved wellbeing and are more likely to act in environmentally friendly ways. 

The competition aligns with the group’s ongoing activity to find simple solutions to complex problems of climate change, biodiversity loss, and mental wellbeing by improving the relationship between people and nature.

The closing date for entries is Tuesday, 6 January 2026.

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