Youth early music competition opens for applications

Young musicians aged between 17 and 35 years have been urged to showcase their talents and apply for a new music competition.
Open to ensembles consisting of a minimum of two people, the York Early Music Festival International Young Artists Competition is now accepting applications.
Winning acts will be rewarded with a substantial cash prize, a professionally produced CD and a chance to work at BBC Radio 3.
The competition, which is supported by the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM), BBC Radio 3 and Arts Council England, will take place at the National Centre for Early Music over July 14th to 16th and forms part of the 2011 Festival.
Competitors must perform repertory from the period ranging from the middle ages to the nineteenth century, using appropriate historically informed playing techniques, instruments and stylistic conventions.
And artists performing have been assured that the judging panel will consist of an international panel of performers and promoters.
“This panel regularly includes representatives of the broadcasting, recording, festival and music promotion worlds, who see this as a prime opportunity to identify and select new and promising young talent,” the NCEM explains.
In order to apply, groups must send off a CD recording of their music, as well as information pertaining to the ensemble’s background and formation by Friday January 21st 2011.
The 2009 York Early Music International Young Artists Competition was won by Ensemble Meridiana – a baroque ensemble comprising five young musicians from Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Norway.
Meanwhile, in 2011 the York Early Music Festival will be celebrating the spirit of the 1951 Festival of Britain. Highlights will include a series of concerts curated by Professor John Bryan reflecting the early music content of the times.
Guest artists will include The Gabrieli Consort, The English Concert, Purcell’s King Arthur and The Sixteen directed by Harry Christophers.