Latest News | 15 December 2025
Entries open for university’s nature-inspired music competition
University of Derby
A national competition founded by a University of Derby academic which 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, and is now in its fourth year.
The 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 closing date for entries is Tuesday 6 January.
To find out more about the Tune Into Nature Music Prize click here.
