Britten Pears Young Artist Programme

Applications for the 2025–26 programme are now open. Applications must be submitted before 1pm (UK Time) on Monday 17 February 2025.

The Britten Pears Young Artist Programme (BPYAP) was founded in 1972 by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. It continues to offer early career professional musicians high-level performance training from some of the world’s finest performers, teachers and creatives. The programme takes place through courses and residencies at our creative campus, set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in rural Suffolk.

We're looking for outstanding emerging young artists (18 or over) interested in exciting opportunities to further refine their skills and gain valuable input from industry professionals. Generally, young artists come on our courses once they have either graduated from formal training or are finishing their education, however there is no fixed upper age limit to apply. Being early career can look different for different artists, and we embrace those that have taken non-traditional routes in their training.

Following participation on a BPYAP course, young artists become part of the Britten Pears Arts family and could receive future opportunities within our performance programme, artist development work and outreach-based projects.

There are no course fees, and we cover international and UK travel along with local accommodation in Aldeburgh. There are no application fees. We currently have opportunities for singers, collaborative pianists, chamber ensembles, composers and contemporary performance artists on our 2025–26 programme.

BPYAP applications

How to apply
I found my time on the programme to be one of the most supportive, caring, safe and nurturing environments to learn in. Snape Maltings is truly such a special place, it feels otherworldly and a place where artists are able to flourish

Britten Pears Artist 2024–25

2025–26 Courses

Man in white tshirt interacting with two musicians.

Building a Recital Programme

Led by Roderick Williams, Malcolm Martineau and Julia Faulkner this eight-day residential course offers the chance to reimagine your approach to the song recital programme. Open to singers and collaborative pianists.

Composition, Alternative Performance and Performance Art (CAPPA)

This seven-day course is for makers in sound who are passionate contributors to new original work. Led by Larry Goves, Sarah Hennies and players of The House of Bedlam ensemble, participants will make and discuss new work together (and apart), working towards a showcase at the Aldeburgh Festival in 2026.

Chamber Music in Residence

A series of two-week residencies for existing chamber ensembles, focussed on time and space to develop as a group at our creative campus in the Suffolk countryside. A residency will include two performances in our long-established Friday lunchtime concert series at Aldeburgh’s Jubilee Hall.

Learn more about being a Britten Pears Young Artist:

Man with short black hair playing the trombone.

Kalun Leung

Chaos Quartet

Ellen Pearson and Francesca Lauri

Explore BPYAP stories

  1. The School Britten & Pears Built

    Britten and Pears founded a special kind of Music School. This year it celebrates its 50th year, and an important project is underway…

  2. Musicians in Society

    What is the role of a musician in society, beyond the realm of the concert hall? Members of the Britten Pears Young Artist programme, together with the…

  3. Britten Pears Young Artists, 2024-25

We are so grateful to our supporters, without whom none of our work would be possible. Visit Support us to find out how you can help.

Supporters contributing toward the 2024-25 Britten Pears Young Artist Programme include:

Alex and Sonia Scott-Barrett

Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne

Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust

The Boltini Trust

Chandos Memorial Trust

The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust

Elizabeth Harwood Memorial Trust

Felicity Guinness

Fidelio Charitable Trust

Fiona Mackenzie

The Fresh Leaf Charitable Foundation

The Garrick Charitable Trust

H Steven and PE Wood Charitable Trust

Idlewild Trust

Jerwood Foundation

John Lawrence Field Memorial Trust

The John and Penelope Lebus Trust

Kirstene Baillie

Medd Bursary

Professor Sir Barry Ife

The Radcliffe Trust

The Rainbow Dickinson Trust

The Richard and Gillie Cave Trust

Ruth Common

The Steel Charitable Trust

The Thriplow Charitable Trust

Tim and Lizzie-Boo Llewellyn

The Nicholson Family in memory of Patricia Nicholson

Viola Tunnard Trust

Scarfe Charitable Trust

and the BPYAP Associates