The York Early Music International Young Artists Competition is a biennial contest for young ensembles, run by the National Centre for Early Music as part of the York Early Music Festival.
Ensembles are pre-selected by video; finalists come to York for informal recitals and a public final. The 2028 edition runs 4–8 July 2028.
Benefits & funding
- First Prize (2026 terms): a Linn Records CD recording, £1,000 and a paid festival concert the following year.
- Other prizes: Friends’ Prize £500; Cambridge Early Music concert (+£500 for its summer-school alumni); £1,000 Most Promising prize for EU/UK nationals.
- Finalists: free accommodation and breakfast, £20 per person per day for food (up to four days), travel refunded up to £80 per person.
- Winners must credit the prize in their biographies for five years.
Eligibility
- Ensembles of three or more members, instrumental and/or vocal; no soloists.
- All members adults, average age 35 or under, no member over 36.
- Repertoire from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century, in historically informed style.
- Ensembles of all nationalities; some need a UK visitor visa or ETA at their own cost.
Application process
- 1Submit the online form with an unedited video, two recital programmes, a 200-word biography, a recommendation letter and members’ ID.
- 2Pay the £100 non-refundable fee per ensemble on submission.
- 32026 cycle: entries closed 8 December 2025; finalists were told by 21 January 2026.
Program timeline
2026 application deadline (the How to Apply text also shows 8 December 2026)
Dec 8, 2025
2026 finalists notified
Jan 21, 2026
2028 competition, York
Jul 4, 2028 – Jul 8, 2028