The National Youth Choir Young Composers scheme supports composers in the early stages of their careers, who are committed to developing as professional composers and who have a passion for creating high-quality, imaginative new music for vocal ensembles. It is particularly designed to support emerging composers from a broad range of musical backgrounds and genres.

The National Youth Choir is striving to build an inclusive community. We want to help achieve meaningful and balanced representation in the areas of composition for vocal ensembles. To this end, we strongly encourage young people of Black, Asian & ethnically diverse backgrounds to apply for this programme. We also welcome applications from disabled people as well as those from lower income households. The Young Composers scheme is a free training programme and expenses are covered by the National Youth Choir.

Applicants do not have to have a higher education qualification to apply and we welcome applications from young composers who may not have a traditional composing background or formal training in composition. However, in order to fully participate in this programme and experience its full benefits, applicants should not be in full-time formal education during the course of the programme.

National Youth Choir Young Composers is an annual initiative which identifies and develops four talented composers aged 18-29 who are passionate about creating high-quality and imaginative new music for vocal ensembles. Now entering in its sixth year, the scheme aims to challenge perceptions and support the development, innovation and diversity of new choral music. Running over a whole year, it offers a four-phase programme (Discovery, Exploration, Realisation and Promotion) including residential courses, workshops, peer and professional mentoring, digital releases and performance showcases.  

Most residential courses will be shared with the National Youth Choir and Fellowship, allowing composers an exceptional opportunity to work in partnership with and have their music brought to life by two outstanding ensembles of their peers. There will be expert advice and tuition from distinguished composers. Previous Guest mentors include Joanna Marsh, Errollyn Wallen, John Rutter, Roxanna Panufnik, Richard Allain, Anna Meredith, Alexandra Harwood, Jonathan Dove, Oliver Tarney, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Toby Young and Eleanor Alberga.

We will provide exceptional showcase opportunities for works completed during the programme and a professional recording and release for their work on NMC Recordings. The National Youth Choir, NMC Recordings and other partners will significantly raise awareness of the Young Composers and their work through publicity and profiling. Each composer will be awarded a personal Innovation Fund of £750 to undertake their own creative initiatives. 

Young Composers will receive free licences and training in Dorico Pro notation software by Programme Innovation Grant Sponsors (Technology Partner), Steinberg Media Technologies, the opportunity to have a piece of music published and promoted by Innovation Grant Sponsors (Publishing Partner), Stainer & Bell, specialist support from Stainer & Bell with notation (preparing scores for publication), and further workshops on publishing, royalties, copyright and useful resources. Young Composers also take part in an annual retreat at The Red House, Aldeburgh, home to composer Benjamin Britten in partnership with Britten Pears Arts. 

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For full details of how to apply visit our How to Apply page  

We also gratefully acknowledge funding from the PRS Foundation's Open Fund for Organisations for their most generous support of our Young Composers scheme.