About the Programme

Launched in 2000, our Young Artists’ Programme nurtures our outstanding award winners during the vital first five years of their music careers, and enlists their talents to promote positive social, emotional and education change through our participation work in the wider community.

The scheme has over 200 early career musicians, usually between the ages of 20 and 28.  Their tenure as a Young Artist lasts five years, when the first steps towards a long lasting career are made.  Our Young Artists predominantly come from a classical music background (including soloists, chamber musicians, singers and ensembles), but recently we have increasingly given awards to (and accepted new Young Artists from) the jazz and contemporary music sphere.  At the end of their five years, we invite Young Artists to become Freemen of the Company at reduced rates.

Former Young Artists include Alfie Boe tenor, Amy Dickson saxophone, Milos Karadaglic guitar, Duncan Rock baritone, Ksenija Sidorova accordion and Ben Baker violin.

 

Current Young Artists:

For a searchable list of our current Young Artists, click here.

 

Music Outreach, Learning and Participation:

We offer Young Artists the opportunity to share their skills and inspire others through specially tailored music projects in schools and the local community. The bedrock of our programme consists of sending our Young Artists into London schools, bringing live music to schools that may have little music on their curriculum. Working closely with local London music hubs to deliver projects, we make over 80 visits to 13 primary and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) schools and each year, delivered free of charge. Around 800 pupils each year are a part of one of our music projects. We also work in Merton Dementia Hub and the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, using music as a therapeutic tool for the service users. More information about our work can be found here.

 

Performance Opportunities:

The Young Artists’ Programme also supports our Young Artists by securing performance opportunities at concerts and festivals throughout the UK, including St John’s Smith Square, St Lawrence Jewry, City Music Society, Buxton International Festival, St Magnus International Festival and Presteigne Festival.  We provide around 75 Young Artists (over one third) with performance opportunities each year.  If you are a concert promoter interested in booking a Young Artist, please email performances@wcom.org.uk.

 

Professional Development:

We partner with the Incorporated Society of Musicians, offering cut price membership fees to our YAs, who benefit from the wide array of professional development opportunities, legal support, insurance and expert advice on professional issues.  We also set up face-to-face support meetings between Young Artists and our Members who come from a wide array of professional music backgrounds.

 

Publicity:

We understand that our Young Artists need support promoting themselves as they enter the profession. We celebrate their work on our website, newsletters and social media channels. We run online music series such as #MiddayMusic, which premiered 64 new recordings showcasing work from 90 of our Young Artists, and our current series #MusicShots. Watch the series here: www.wcom.org.uk/video-gallery

 

For any enquiries about the Young Artists Programme, including concert and event partnerships or our participation work, please contact our Young Artists’ Programme Manager on youngartists@wcom.org.uk.

 

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