Brighton Early Music Festival launches 2026 Emerging Artists scheme

Brighton Early Music Festival (BREMF) has opened applications for its 2026 Emerging Artists Scheme, promising access to an exciting year of mentoring and training for successful candidates.

Established in 2002 and co-directed by Hannah Ely and Olwen Foulkes, BREMF is one of the premier Early Music festivals in the UK, taking place annually in October. The festival includes a varied programme of concerts, workshops and outreach projects, which this year will be based on the theme 'Bringers of Dreams'.

BREMF Emerging Artists is a mentoring and development scheme for young professionals. Up to five chosen ensembles will take part in a showcase concert at the festival, a four-day residency at Hawkwood College in Gloucestershire to develop their skills and programme, and an outreach day visiting local primary schools.

Applications are also invited for singers to form the four soloists in a London Handel Players performance of Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen as part of the main festival.

Previous participants in the scheme have gone on to achieve great success in the Early Music world, both in the UK and overseas. These include BBC Radio 3 Next Generation Baroque Ensembles Ensemble Molière and Bellot Ensemble, internationally-renowned vocal consorts The Gesualdo Six and Fieri Consort, and innovative groups who complement their live performances with high-quality online content, such as Apollo’s Cabinet and Lowe Ensemble.

Both ensembles and vocalists are invited to submit applications containing a link to a video of a relevant performance before 15 April, with those selected progressing to auditions in London and Birmingham from 10 to 12 May, where applicants will be invited to perform live.

Commitments and opportunities for successful candidates start in August this year and extend through to March 2027. Full information and how to apply can be found on the BREMF website.