Applications open for the York Early Music International Artists Competition 2022

The York International Young Artists Competition has today announced that applications are now invited for next year’s competition. Recognised as a major international platform for emerging Early Music talent, the competition attracts musicians from all over the globe and offers young musicians opportunities for performance, recording and broadcasting, as well as international exposure. 

2019 winners L’Apothéose are testament to this, describing their win as ‘an extremely important and prestigious recognition of our career, and taking part was an immensely joyful experience.’ Former winners Sollazzo Ensemble add that ‘winning the competition was a turning point in our career, bringing us to the attention of both a wider audience and professionals throughout Europe.’

The competition will take place on 16 July 2022 at York’s National Centre for Early Music and is open to Early Music ensembles with a minimum of three members all of whom must be 37 or under. The ensemble as a whole must have an average age of 33 years or under. The ensembles must demonstrate historically informed performance practice and play repertory from any period, spanning the Middle Ages to the 19^th century, on period instruments.

Dr Delma Tomlin MBE, director of the National Centre for Early Music, said: ‘We are so pleased to be staging the 2022 competition which brings together young musicians of the highest calibre from the UK and all over the world.  This is one of highlights of the York Early Music Festival and we are always overwhelmed by the superb quality of the performances from these fantastically talented young artists. The competition provides a joyous, optimistic finale to our festival and we are delighted to be able give these rising stars many exciting future opportunities.’

The generous first prize includes a £1,000 cash prize, a recording contract from Linn Records, opportunities to work with BBC Radio 3. As the competition is part of York Early Music Festival, first prize winners will also receive a concert at the 2023 York Early Music Festival and competitors have a chance to win the Friends of York Early Music Festival Prize. Other prizes will include the Cambridge Early Music Prize and a prize for The Most Promising Young Artist/s endowed by the EUBO Development Trust. 

The closing date for applications is 14 January 2022. You can find out more about the competition, including details of how to apply at the competition’s website.