The aim of the John Kerr award is to promote the English song repertoire in the United Kingdom and other countries. In recent years, interest in English song has grown considerably after a long period of neglect; the success of the first competition in 2006 highlighted the great interest in this field. The committee behind the John Kerr Award have decided to hold the finals of the 2008 competition on 5 October. The closing date for applications will be 10 July 2008.

The competition in 2006 attracted entries from 5 countries and was won by Klaartje van Veldhoven, the Dutch soprano. She won a prize of £2000 and performed a recital at the Finchcocks Museum on 28 October 2007. International interest in the Award is particularly gratifying as it shows that English song is now seen as significant in a wider musical context.

Taking place biennially, the competition is open to singers aged between 18 and 35.