York Early Music International Young Artists competition opens for applications
Florence Lockheart
Friday, October 20, 2023
Applications are open to early Music ensembles with a minimum of three members and an average age of under 32 until 15 January 2024
The York International Young Artists Competition has announced that its 2023 edition is now open for applications from young ensembles. The competition will take place between 10-13 July 2024 at the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) in York as part of York Early Music Festival (YEMF).
Early Music ensembles with a minimum of three members can submit a video recording for the pre-competition stage and selected ensembles will be invited to give an informal recital at NCEM introduced by director and keyboard player Steven Devine. The competition recitals will be recorded by BBC Radio 3, and highlights will be featured on The Early Music Show.
NCEM founder and festival director Dr Delma Tomlin MBE said: ‘We’re delighted to be staging the Young Artists competition once again in 2024. One of the highlights of our festival, the Competition takes place every two years and fills every corner of the NCEM with music and laughter. We believe it is extremely important to nurture and develop young talent and the competition provides an important opportunity for young artists and musicians not just from the UK but from all over the world.
The selected ensembles will be performing in the competition final concert on 13 July for a public audience and panel of judges including Steven Devine; Alamire Foundation director Bart Demuyt; chief producer for Linn Records Philip Hobbs; lutenist Elizabeth Kenny; conductor, bass and Vox Luminis founder Lionel Meunier; and period clarinettist and lecturer in Historical Performance Practice, Emily Worthington.
Participants will compete for a £1,000 first prize, which also includes a paid concert as part of YEMF the following year and a CD recording professionally produced by competition partners Linn Records. Also up for grabs is the £1,000 Prize for the Most Promising Young Artist, the Friends of York Early Music Festival Prize(£500) and the Cambridge Early Music Prize
Ensembles must demonstrate historically informed performance practice and must have an average age of 32 years or under, with a maximum age of 36 years for individuals. The closing date for applications is 15 January 2024.
