About AYM | Contact Us | Courses | Applications

Aldeburgh Young Musicians (AYM) is an exciting new initiative, providing high level training to young people of exceptional musical talent and potential in the Eastern region. Becoming part of AYM will give you access to a series of intensive weekend and residential holiday courses, bringing you into contact with professional musicians and other fellow young musicians - the professionals of tomorrow!

Most of our courses are held within the beautiful surroundings of Snape Maltings Concert Hall and encompass performance, composition, technology and chamber music.

Aldeburgh Young Musicians is part of a national network of centres for advanced music training catering for exceptionally talented young musicians aged 8 to 18.

If you would like to join the scheme, or for more information, please call Aldeburgh Young Musicians on +44 (0)1728 687115 or email

"I had a really good time mixing with other musicians, which is what I want my life to be! Please let me come again!" (Adam, aged 16 - Course Participant 'Creative Strings Performance' 2007)

Aldeburgh Young Musicians - Closing date for Auditions for entry 2008/2009: 23 April 2008

Our new programme is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

Access to Excellence
"The aim of the scheme is to help identify, and assist, children with exceptional potential, regardless of their personal circumstances, to benefit from world-class specialist training as part of a broad and balanced education, which will enable them, if they choose, to proceed towards self-sustaining careers in music and dance."
(DCSF Music & Dance Scheme)

Contemporary Music and Composition (14-19 July 07)
This course focused on the development of new composition and performance. Led by composers Richard Baker and Emily Hall, young composers and instrumentalists had the opportunity to work together alongside a number of professionals, including Helen Grime (Oboe), Adrian Spillett (Percussion) and Huw Watkins (Piano).

The composers were asked to write a number of short pieces for solo oboe and solo percussion, and then for duos formed from the instrumentalists available, both student and professional. In addition, the instrumentalists rehearsed and performed music written by living composers, written within the last ten years.

click here to listen to some music by young composer, Alex Cook, performed by Helen Grime.

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Creative Strings Performance (13-16 September 07)
This course explored different methods of approaching stringed instruments, looking at extended techniques, sound production, performance, ensemble playing, new composition and improvisation. The participants also looked at electronic manipulation. Led by Cellist Anton Lukoszevieze and Ian Dearden (Sound Intermedia), together with Double Bass player Håkon Thelin, the string players, including two young composers, had the opportunity to work together with the emphasis on exploring and having fun!  Several walks amongst the reed beds also inspired a range of original material.

"Meeting new people, making friends and taking music to a whole new dimension" (Rosemary, aged 14 - Course Participant 'Creative Strings Performance' 2007)

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Creative Musicianship (11-15 February 08)
This course will focus on the practice of creativity in music performance. Led by David Dolan (Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the Yehudi Menuhin School), selected young musicians will explore elements of Classical Improvisation and its application on solo and chamber music repertoire performance. Using a number of approaches, including active listening, communication with listeners, rhythmic work and the use of the voice (for non-singers), this creative course will develop general musicianship and performance technique.

The course is open to exceptionally talented instrumentalists (Piano, Strings & Woodwind) and Singers. It is open to soloists and existing chamber ensembles, aged 12 to 18yrs. No previous experience of improvisation is needed.

Closing date for applications: Friday, 14 December 2007

Click here for further information.

Performance Weekend (28-30 March 2008)
Aldeburgh Young Musicians have challenged composer Joseph Phibbs to compose a piece for a small ensemble of instrumentalists. Working over a long weekend, students will also explore music written by other young composers, rehearse as chamber ensembles and individuals, and hold a final performance on Sunday, 30 March.

This weekend also provides an opportunity for interested parents and individuals to learn more about Aldeburgh Young Musicians.

Click here for further information.

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Aldeburgh Young Musicians was launched in 2007, bridging the gap between our Schools' work and the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme.

Following confirmation of funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) for a pilot year, this new programme is focused on young people of exceptional musical talent and potential in the Eastern region.

Part of a national network of similar centres, Aldeburgh Young Musicians will provide advanced music training for exceptionally talented young musicians aged 8 to 18. This bespoke, progressive music programme for young people will contain a number of opportunities not available elsewhere. During 2007, our pilot year, we offered four intensive residential courses, bringing young people of exceptional potential into contact with professional musicians. Now that future funding has been confirmed, we plan to launch a more extensive programme for 2008 and beyond, which will include the provision for advanced instrumental tuition and ensemble opportunities, as well as intensive weekend and holiday courses.

Aldeburgh Young Musicians is the result of a unique partnership between the leading music education and performance organizations in the Eastern region: the three county music services of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, together with specialists Pro Corda, the Junior Guildhall School of Music & Drama (London), the Purcell School, Woodbridge School and Aldeburgh Music.

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