LIFEM

Early Music Young Ensemble Competition

Applications close 15 June 2026

View the application pack ↗

The Early Music Young Ensemble Competition is presented every two years by the London International Festival of Early Music. Selected finalists have the opportunity to perform to a panel and live audience during the festival, and we are pleased to invite applications for the 2026 competition from early music ensembles averaging age 30 and under.

 

The preliminary round will be judged via audio/video recordings, and three ensembles will be selected to perform live in the final. The final will be held on Friday 13 November 2026 at Blackheath Halls, as part of LIFEM 2026.

 

 

Prizes

 

First Prize £1500 and a recital at LIFEM 2027

Second Prize £1000

Third Prize  £500

 

The 2026 competition will be adjudicated by Erik Bosgraaf, Tomoe Badiarova & Jane Chapman. 

 

 

Previous winners

 

2024   Polychroma

2022   Ensemble Pampinea

2020   Ensemble Hesperi / Ensemble Pro Victoria (joint winners)

2018   Palisander / Tinker Pypker & Anders Muskens (joint winners)

 

The 2026 Early Music Young Ensemble Competition is generously supported by The Early Music Shop

 

 

2024 competition winners, Polychroma, performing at LIFEM 2025 as part of their winners’ recital at St Michael & All Angels Church. Photo: Anna McCarthy

 

 

Application form

 

To enter the Early Music Young Ensemble Competition 2026, please fill out the following form. If you have any questions or experience difficulties filling out the application, please contact our festival administrator, Finn, by clicking here.

    Ensemble Information

    Ensemble Members








    Main Ensemble Contact




    Short Ensemble Biography*

    (Maximum 300 words, third person)

    Biographies of finalist ensembles may be reproduced in the festival programme.

    Ensemble photo*

    Please upload a photograph of your ensemble suitable for use in promotional material, should your ensemble be selected for the competition final.

    PRELIMINARY ROUND ENTRY

    Please insert a link to a shared folder where your audio/video recordings can be downloaded. Recordings hosted on streaming platforms such as YouTube can also be accepted, provided there is no mention of the competition in accompanying captions. *






















    Competition Rules & Format

    Eligibility

    Ensembles may be formed of instrumentalists and singers in any combination and must have a minimum of two members and a maximum of eight.

    Ensemble members must be an average of 30 or younger on 15th November 2024. If there are any members under 18 they must have written consent from a parent/guardian.

    Ensembles from all nationalities are encouraged to enter.

    Ensembles must predominantly perform repertoire commonly accepted as "Early Music" (i.e. pre-1800) on period instruments. One contemporary piece written for/or performed on period instruments should be included in your preliminary round programme.


    Preliminary Round

    Audio/video recordings totalling no more than 15 minutes must accompany the application and be received no later than the application deadline.

    Audio/video recordings should be submitted digitally, i.e. via Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive or similar. Recordings hosted on streaming platforms such as YouTube or Soundcloud cannot be accepted.

    Audio/video recordings must be accompanied by relevant track details.

    Recordings must be a true representation of the ensemble. They must not be edited, digitally manipulated etc. in a way that changes the recording or alters the performance.


    Adjudicators

    The adjudicators in 2026 are Erik Bosgraaf (chair), Tomoe Badiarova and Jane Chapman.

    In the event of an unforeseen circumstances, the panel could be subject to change without warning.

    The adjudicators' decision is final.


    Competition Final

    The competition final will take place on Friday 13 November 2026, as part of the London International Festival of Early Music (www.lifem.org). Selected finalist ensembles will perform in front of the adjudicators and a live audience. The winner will be decided at the end of the finals and announced live to the audience. Further details will continue to be updated and will be given to the finalists upon selection.


    Notes for Ensembles

    A harpsichord at a415 and a chamber organ at a440/a415 will be available. If any other keyboard is required, the arrangements and cost are the responsibility of the finalist unless pre-arranged and agreed with LIFEM.

    Finalists will be notified of their success no later than 11 September 2026.

    The competition may be recorded and photographed by the London International Festival of Early Music and resulting assets may be used by LIFEM for promotional or commercial ventures. Any recordings will be made available to finalists free of charge.

    Programme notes for the final are required and should be submitted by 1 October 2026, along with a biography and ensemble photo if not already supplied.

    Click here to download our detailed application guide, including further terms and conditions.


    Application Confirmation

    On behalf of the ensemble, I agree to the rules of the competition, and I confirm that all the information I have provided in the application is correct and true.


    Payment

    The application fee for the LIFEM Early Music Young Ensemble competition 2026 is £30. Payments must be made in order for the application to be completed and processed.

     

    The deadline for completed applications is Monday 15 June 2026 at 23:59 BST. 

    View the application pack ↗