The Hesse Student Scheme was launched in 1959 when Princess Margaret of Hesse and the Rhine wanted to ensure that more young people had access to the Aldeburgh Festival. Princess Margaret was a President of the Festival and a generous supporter for many years, establishing the Hesse Lecture Fund after the death of her husband, Prince Ludwig. The opportunity she created for young people interested in music, heritage and the music industry to be part of a high-profile international festival is still very much here today.

In addition to attending many of the concerts, the Hesse Students are integral to the day-to-day running of the Festival. They perform a wide variety of important tasks, including page turning, invigilating installations, stewarding, supporting our festival artists and ensuring the development, marketing, operations and music teams are supported. The scheme also ensures that they get the opportunity to meet staff members at all levels across Britten Pears Arts and gain invaluable insight into the planning and administration of an international arts organisation. During their time with Britten Pears Arts, the students are encouraged to perform in their own pop-up performances, which they plan and curate themselves with the support of the Super Hesse.

The Super Hesse role is a supervisory role, and the expectation is to support the Hesse Students to achieve the above activity.

The role is fixed term from Wednesday 11 June until Sunday 29 June 2025, and applicants should only apply if they’re available for the entirety of these dates.

Ideal applicants for this role will have had experience as a Hesse Student or working as a Super Hesse or Artist Liaison at the Aldeburgh Festival previously.

We are an equal opportunities employer and believe that diversity strengthens and enriches us. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates of all ages and from all backgrounds, in particular from minority ethnic backgrounds and disabled candidates who are currently under-represented at Britten Pears Arts.