Small Grant Applications: 2024/25 applications now open.
In addition to the annual Student Baroque Chamber Music competition FBMY give up to four small grants (maximum £250) per year to students and aspiring professionals, based for study or perfomance in Yorkshire, who pursue a performing interest in Baroque music. If you think we can help you with your project please fill in an application form.
FBMY Student Baroque Ensemble Competition : Details and application form
The Friends of Baroque Music in Yorkshire (FBMY) propose to offer an annual Prize of £500 for performance by students of Baroque music. Competitors must currently be enrolled, or have been enrolled during 2023-25, at a Higher Education College or University in Yorkshire. There are no restrictions regarding the age of the competitors but participants will be asked to confirm their student status. Current students may submit a copy of their student card. Recent graduates may submit o copy of their degree/diploma etc.
The Prize is awarded on the basis of a competitive session of performances, which will take place as a single afternoon’s public recital. In 2025 the competition will take place in York University on Sunday 23 March.
(In subsequent years the event’s venue will be rotated between four institutions, the others being Leeds Conservatoire, the University of Huddersfield (Department of Music), and the University of Leeds.
The judges for the Prize in 2025, appointed by the FBMY Committee, will be Professor Peter Holman, and baroque violinist Asuka Sumi. The judging panel will be chaired by a representative of Friends of Baroque Music in Yorkshire.
Competition pieces should be items of Baroque instrumental or vocal music, lasting a maximum of fifteen minutes in total. The term ‘Baroque’ is defined as music composed between 1600 and 1750: disagreements about whether a piece is acceptable in terms of its date will be resolved in advance by the competition’s judges.
Competition pieces may be any of the following combinations or ensembles, vocal or instrumental:
Performances will be judged on ‘historically informed’ criteria, as well as on general musicianship. Competitors should note, however, that they are NOT required to use Baroque instruments, NOR a pitch of A=415 instead of A= 440. The only stipulation in this regard is that any keyboard instrument should be a harpsichord, a chamber organ, or an electronic keyboard adapted in suitable mode, rather than a modern pianoforte. Competitors chosen to perform in the final competition will be informed of the keyboard instruments available.
The restriction of the event to a single afternoon means that only eight 15-minute performances can be entered. If there are more than eight applicants, then a short list will be pre-selected by the judges on the basis of video recordings of previous performances. Such recordings should be submitted along with the Application Form (for which see below): they should be of Baroque music, but need not involve the items which are chosen for the competition.
FBMY will reimburse travel expenses to competitors for the day of the competition, to a maximum of £15 per person. Claims for such expenses should be accompanied by some form of receipt.
The Prize is awarded on the basis of a competitive session of performances, which will take place as a single afternoon’s public recital. In 2025 the competition will take place in York University on Sunday 23 March.
(In subsequent years the event’s venue will be rotated between four institutions, the others being Leeds Conservatoire, the University of Huddersfield (Department of Music), and the University of Leeds.
The judges for the Prize in 2025, appointed by the FBMY Committee, will be Professor Peter Holman, and baroque violinist Asuka Sumi. The judging panel will be chaired by a representative of Friends of Baroque Music in Yorkshire.
Competition pieces should be items of Baroque instrumental or vocal music, lasting a maximum of fifteen minutes in total. The term ‘Baroque’ is defined as music composed between 1600 and 1750: disagreements about whether a piece is acceptable in terms of its date will be resolved in advance by the competition’s judges.
Competition pieces may be any of the following combinations or ensembles, vocal or instrumental:
- solo (e.g. one keyboard or string instrument)
- accompanied solo
- ensemble of not more than six players.
Performances will be judged on ‘historically informed’ criteria, as well as on general musicianship. Competitors should note, however, that they are NOT required to use Baroque instruments, NOR a pitch of A=415 instead of A= 440. The only stipulation in this regard is that any keyboard instrument should be a harpsichord, a chamber organ, or an electronic keyboard adapted in suitable mode, rather than a modern pianoforte. Competitors chosen to perform in the final competition will be informed of the keyboard instruments available.
The restriction of the event to a single afternoon means that only eight 15-minute performances can be entered. If there are more than eight applicants, then a short list will be pre-selected by the judges on the basis of video recordings of previous performances. Such recordings should be submitted along with the Application Form (for which see below): they should be of Baroque music, but need not involve the items which are chosen for the competition.
FBMY will reimburse travel expenses to competitors for the day of the competition, to a maximum of £15 per person. Claims for such expenses should be accompanied by some form of receipt.
Baroque Music Competion 2024
Final Recitals - and the winners are ...
An audience of Friends of Baroque Music in Yorkshire, their friends and those of the performers, were treated to a wonderful afternoon of Baroque music making. The Competition judges, Susanna Pell and Peter Holman with Chairman of the panel Richard Andrews, had a difficult descision to make.
The prize was awarded to Mina JACHIMOWICZ (cello), Nicholas BOOTH (cello)for their performance of Jean-Baptiste Barrière: Sonata no. 4 in G major(from Book 4 of Sonatas for cello and basso continuo
Final Recitals - and the winners are ...
An audience of Friends of Baroque Music in Yorkshire, their friends and those of the performers, were treated to a wonderful afternoon of Baroque music making. The Competition judges, Susanna Pell and Peter Holman with Chairman of the panel Richard Andrews, had a difficult descision to make.
The prize was awarded to Mina JACHIMOWICZ (cello), Nicholas BOOTH (cello)for their performance of Jean-Baptiste Barrière: Sonata no. 4 in G major(from Book 4 of Sonatas for cello and basso continuo