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Saturday 11 July 2026

Closing date for applications: 
Monday 8 December 2025, 23:59 GMT

About

This prestigious and longstanding biennial competition takes place at the National Centre for Early Music, as part of York Early Music Festival 2026.

 

Recognised as a major international platform for emerging talent in the world of early music, the competition attracts musicians from all over the globe, offering a major boost to young professional careers with opportunities for performance, recording and broadcasting, and international exposure.

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Competition highlights will be recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio 3.

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Are you an early music ensemble
(minimum 3 members)?
Is the average age of your members 35 years or under (with individuals aged 36 and under)?
Do you focus on historically informed performance practice and play repertory of any period from the Middle Ages to the 19th century on period instruments?
“Taking part in the competition was a wonderful experience for us, and we were so thrilled to win the main prize, which has helped us so much on our musical journey. We learnt so much from our time in York and we were delighted to return last July perform at the NCEM, record our CD with Linn Records and explore this historic city.”
Ayres Extemporae, 2024 main prize winners
Contact
“It feels like a really important musical family. This is THE early music competition for us. It’s such an opportunity for you to be heard by industry specialists from across Europe.”
Palisander, 2022 finalists
“Winning the York competition was an extremely important and prestigious recognition of our career, and taking part was an immensely joyful experience.”  L’Apothéose, 2019 winners

CONTACT US

E:  yorkcomp@ncem.co.uk  

T: +44 (0)1904 632220

 

York Early Music International
Young Artists Competition

National Centre for Early Music

St. Margaret's Church

Walmgate

York YO1 9TL

England, UK

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The York Early Music International Young Artists Competition is supported by the National Centre for Early Music, BBC Radio 3, Arts Council England and Linn Records.

Image: Hans Holbein the Younger. The Ambassadors. 1533. © The National Gallery, London.

Branding and website by RedBonsai

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