BREMF Emerging Artists Applications

Our 2025/26 opportunities for emerging ensembles and solo singers are now open for applications, with a deadline of Friday 23 May 2025. Auditions will take place in London and Birmingham in June 2025.

About BREMF Emerging Artists

BREMF Emerging Artists (formerly BREMF Live) is much more than a performance opportunity. Participants are supported throughout the year with advice, mentoring and training opportunities, and are very much part of the Festival family.

BREMF Emerging Artists benefit from a year of mentoring and training sessions on vital topics; performance showcase opportunities in Brighton; plus a digital showcase and training and delivery of a day of workshops for primary schools.

CLICK HERE for full details of the 2025/26 scheme.

Guidelines for Applicants

  • The scheme runs June 2025 – March 2026, with performances in Brighton on Friday 10 October 2025 (for solo singers) and Saturday 18 October 2025 (for ensembles). Please make sure that you are available on the relevant date before you apply.
  • The size of ensemble we can accept is limited to 2 – 6 musicians with an early music specialism (from medieval to early romantic), including instrumental, vocal and mixed ensembles.
  • We are seeking six solo singers to take part in our concert performance of the French baroque opera Les Genies by Mlle Duval on Friday 10 October. Applications are welcomed from sopranos, mezzos, tenors, baritones & basses, but regrettably this opportunity is not suitable for countertenors.
  • We don’t specify an age range but the scheme is for musicians at the early stages of a professional career. Generally we would expect most participants to be either final year or postgraduate students, or to have graduated within the last three years.
  • There are many opportunities to get involved throughout the year, so BREMF Emerging Artists is most suitable for participants who are based primarily in the UK, although some of the online training opportunities will also be open to interested groups from mainland Europe.
  • Paid elements for ensembles include an afternoon showcase & evening clubnight in Brighton on 18 October 2025 (paid at £250 per musician); and a day of schools workshops in February/March 2026 – (paid at £200 per musician). Fees for BREMF Emerging Artists vocal soloists are likely to be in the range of £250 – £400. All fees are inclusive of rehearsals, travel and expenses.
  • Read on below for how to apply.

How to Apply

  • Send your application via our google form by 5pm on Friday 23 May 2025.
  • For ensembles: include an ensemble biography as well as the individual members, including details of how long you have been playing together and any notable performances. Include an ensemble photo if at all possible. Please indicate who will be the main contact for your ensemble, but also include email and phone contact details for the other members.
  • For singers: please upload a biography and photo.
  • You should also send a performance video –  via a private YouTube or Google drive link and not a file by WeTransfer.
  • For ensembles, your video should show your whole ensemble performing repertoire which is appropriate to your specialism.
  • For singers, your video should be of French baroque repertoire if possible. Other repertoire written between 1600-1750 will also be accepted, e.g. Strozzi, Caccini, Carissimi etc. All applicants should have experience in performing pre-classical repertoire.
  • Auditions for shortlisted ensembles and singers will take place as follows:
    In Birmingham on Sunday 8 June (primarily for ensembles)
    In Birmingham on Monday 16 June (primarily for singers)
    In London on Tuesday 17 June (primarily for ensembles)
    In London on Wednesday 18 June (primarily for singers)
    Possibly in London on Thursday 19 June as an overspill date
  • Please include details of your preferred venue and your availability on these dates with your application.
  • Ensembles called for audition will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces, and singers to perform a piece of French baroque repertoire. We will provide an accompanist for the vocal auditions.
  • If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Boyes, Festival Producer at cathy@bremf.org.uk