York Early Music Competition 2024 opens for applications

Applications are now open for the 2024 York Early Music International Young Artists Competition.

The biennial competition for young ensembles will take place between 10 and 13 July at the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) in York, as part of the York Early Music Festival.

Musicians from around the world will compete for the first prize of a recording contract with Linn Records, £1,000 cash, opportunities to work with BBC Radio 3, and a paid concert at the 2025 York Early Music Festival.

Other prizes include the Friends of York Early Music Festival Prize, the Cambridge Early Music Prize, and prize for The Most Promising Young Artist/S, endowed by the EUBO Development Trust.

The final will take place on 13 July, judged by an international panel of performers and promoters comprising Bart Demuyt, Philip Hobbs, Elizabeth Kenny, Lionel Meunier, Emily Worthington and Steven Devine.

‘We’re delighted to be staging the Young Artists competition once again in 2024,’ said Dr Delma Tomlin MBE, Director of the Festival and founder of the NCEM. '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.’

Eligible ensembles must have a minimum of three members and an average age of 32 or under, with a maximum age of 36 for individuals.

They should perform repertory from the Middle Ages to the 19th Century on period instruments, demonstrating historically-informed playing techniques and stylistic conventions.

Recent winners include the Protean Quartet, L’Apothéose, BarrocoTout and the Sollazzo Ensemble.

Applications close 15 January 2024. Find out more and apply at yorkcomp.ncem.co.uk