York Early Music International Young Artists Compettion York

Applications are now being received for the 2009 York Early Music Festival International Young Artists’ Competition, which will be held in York, UK, in July 2009. To take part you need to be:

aged between 17 and 30 years (35 for singers);
part of an ensemble with a minimum of three persons (the group can be instrumental or vocal, or a mix of both);
playing repertory from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century (using period instruments as appropriate).

All short-listed groups will present a recital at the 2009 York Early Music Festival, in front of a panel of judges drawn from the international world of recording, broadcasting, concert management and performance – and work alongside the distinguished singer Evelyn Tubb. This is your chance to get noticed!

The winners will receive a prize of £1,000, and – more importantly– the chance of a major boost to their professional careers, including possible future bookings, recording and broadcasting opportunities.

For full details of how to apply, please see the National Centre of Early Music website: www.ncem.co.uk/youngartists

REPERTOIRE

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.

RULES

Size of ensemble
Ensembles (instrumental and/or vocal, in any combination) must have a minimum of three persons – soloists are not eligible. There are no restrictions on the maximum number in the ensemble, but competitors should be aware that future professional viability may be limited for larger groups. Applications are welcomed from ensembles of all nationalities.

Age of entrants
Instrumentalists must be aged between 17 and 30 (born after 18 July 1979); singers must be aged between 17 and 35 (born after 18 July 1974).

Judging criteria
Competitors will be assessed on the following:
• range of repertory – and a sustainable interesting repertory for future performances
• musicianship
• interpretation
• technical ability
• presentation – stage presence, rapport with audience, professionalism
• quality of programme notes
• overall contribution to the early music scene
• eventual professional viability
• professionalism of dealings with the Festival office.

The closing date for applications is 5 December 2008.

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

Initial selection process
Competitors will be shortlisted on the basis of their CD – no-one will be expected to come to York at this stage. Competitors who are successfully shortlisted will be informed of their selection as Finalists by Friday 19 December 2008.


Performances in York
Finalists will be invited to perform twice in York as part of York Early Music Festival (16–18 July 2009):
• Preliminary recitals (Thursday and Friday, 16 and 17 July). Initially, Finalists will present an informal 20-minute recital in front of an audience, but not in front of the judging panel. These recitals will be introduced to the audience by singer Evelyn Tubb who will then invite competitors and the audience to reflect upon aspects of the performance.
• Final (Saturday 18 July). The Final of the Competition will take place throughout the day on Saturday 18 July 2009. Each Finalist ensemble will present a 20-minute programme (this is playing time, and does not include tuning or preparation) in front of the panel of judges and a public audience. The programme for the Final must be different from that presented in the informal recital. The results of the Final will be announced at the end of the day.

The preliminary concerts, and the Final, take place at the National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York YO1 9TL. Representatives of international early music festivals, networks and radio stations are invited to attend the Competition on Saturday 18 July 2009 in York. All performances are open to the public.

PRIZES & CERTIFICATES

The winners will receive a cheque for £1,000; a studio recording with BBC Radio 3; a concert as part of the 2010 York Early Music Festival and opportunities to work with the National Centre for Early Music on a UK wide tour and a professionally produced CD. A publicity portfolio of the selected ensembles will be assembled and distributed worldwide to organisers of early music concerts. There is a further cash prize presented by the Friends of York Early Music Festival.

COMPETITION COMMITTEE

The Final of the Competition will be judged by an international panel of performers and promoters. This panel (as well as the audience) 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 Competition can thus be a key stage on the way to national and international recognition for young performers.