Schools 48 Hour Music Challenge Rules

The challenge is simple: create your own piece of music in 48 hours. But first, you need to choose your musical challenge!

You can choose one of two creative routes:

• Instrumental Music Challenge: Create an original piece of music inspired by something you see in the image revealed when your clock starts.
• Lyric-Based Music Challenge: Write and create an original piece of music in response to the theme revealed when your clock starts.

Whichever route you choose, it's your music, your ideas and your chance to discover what you can achieve.

There are no rules about being brilliant! You don't need to read music, play an instrument or have a recording studio. We want you to experiment, get creative and enjoy the experience.

There are, however, a few important rules to keep things fair, safe and fun for everyone.

Choosing your challenge

1. Choose one musical challenge

You must choose either the Instrumental Music Challenge or the Lyric-Based Music Challenge when you register. You can complete as many challenges as you want, one at a time.

2. Every team needs an adult Team Leader

An adult Team Leader must be appointed as our main point of contact. They are responsible for supervising the team or solo artist, supporting participants and making sure the challenge rules are followed.

3. Participants must meet the age requirements

Young people taking part must meet the age range specified for the challenge when they register. Any additional performers or collaborators must also have the appropriate permissions in place.

Making your music

4. Your music must be original

Your composition must be your team's own creation and must be written, composed, recorded and produced within your 48-hour challenge window.

This applies to both instrumental and lyric-based entries. You cannot submit an existing piece of music or use someone else's composition.

5. Follow the brief for your chosen challenge

Instrumental Music Challenge: Your music must be inspired by something in the image revealed when your clock starts. Think about the mood, atmosphere, story, characters or feelings the image creates. Let your imagination take over!

Lyric-Based Music Challenge: Your song must be written in response to the theme revealed when your clock starts. Interpret the theme in your own way and use your lyrics and music to bring your ideas to life.

6. You choose your musical style

There is no set genre or style. Your music could be pop, rock, hip-hop, classical, electronic, jazz, folk or something completely different. Experiment with sounds, instruments, beats, melodies and lyrics. We want to hear your interpretation and your ideas.

7. Keep it to three minutes!

Your finished piece of music must be no longer than 3 minutes. Make every second count!

8. Give your music a title.

Every piece of music deserves a name! Make sure your submission includes the title of your composition.

9. Lyrics must be your own

If you choose the Lyric-Based Music Challenge, your lyrics must be original and written by your team during the challenge. Don't copy lyrics from existing songs, poems or other sources.

10. Keep the content appropriate

Your music and lyrics must be suitable for a young audience. Swearing, discriminatory language, bullying, abusive or offensive content will not be accepted. Entries containing this material will not be validated.

11. Protect everyone's privacy

Do not include the surnames of children taking part, school names, home addresses, contact details or other personal information that could identify a young person. Think carefully about what you include in lyrics, spoken introductions and any accompanying material.

12. Make sure everyone agrees to be recorded

Anyone whose voice or performance features in your submission must agree to being recorded. If a performer is under 18, their parent or guardian must give permission. Your Team Leader should make sure the necessary permissions are in place before recording.

13. Everything must be original – no copyrighted music samples

You cannot use samples, backing tracks, loops, melodies, beats or other musical material taken from existing copyrighted songs or recordings. We want to hear what you create!

You can use instruments, music-making apps, recording software and equipment to produce your music, but the musical content you submit must be your own original work.

14. No AI-generated music or lyrics

This challenge is all about your creativity, imagination and musical ideas. You must create your own music and, if you're taking part in the Lyric-Based Music Challenge, write your own lyrics.

You must not use AI tools to generate or write your music, melodies, lyrics, vocals or backing tracks. We want to hear what you can create, not what AI can create for you!

You can still use recording software, music-making apps and digital instruments to help you bring your ideas to life. The creative decisions and musical content must be yours.

Recording and submitting your music

15. Use whatever equipment you have available

You don't need a professional recording studio or expensive equipment. You can record using a phone, tablet, computer, microphone or any other equipment available to you.

A phone recording of a live performance is absolutely fine, as is a music file exported from recording or music-making software. What matters is your original music and creativity, not how expensive your equipment is!

16. Watch the clock!

Your finished music must be uploaded within 48 hours of your individual challenge clock starting. Late submissions will not be validated unless an extension has been agreed with Schools 48 Hour Media.

17. Submit in the correct format

Your finished music must be uploaded as an MP3 file and must be under 3GB.

18. Listen before you submit

Give your music a final listen. Check that the sound is clear, your composition follows your chosen brief and you're happy with your finished work before uploading it.

A final word

Most importantly, have fun! You don't need expensive instruments, specialist equipment or years of musical experience. You could create something using a keyboard, guitar, your voice, a laptop, a music app or even sounds you make yourself.

Whether you create a beautiful melody, a brilliant beat, a powerful song or something completely unexpected, this is your opportunity to experiment, work together and discover what you can achieve.

Be bold. Make some noise. Find your sound. Amaze yourself!