Join

Each year we will look for excellent instrumentalists aged 14 to 18 who are dedicated to developing as folk musicians and excited about collaborating with others who share their passion!

Everyone in the Ensemble experiences:

four weeks of intensive residential courses in different parts of England
expert, dedicated tuition and guidance from leading folk musicians
focussed development of skills in performance, arrangement and leadership
high-profile performances at major festivals and venues around England

Membership is a one-year commitment from October to August. The residential courses take place in the school holidays: October, February, April and summer. Each year, one of the residential weeks is spent at Halsway Manor, the national centre for folk arts in Somerset.

Application process

Applications for the 2023/24 Ensemble closed in June 2023.

Who can apply for the National Youth Folk Ensemble?

The National Youth Folk Ensemble is open to players of any instrument, but we are not looking for singers.

It is free of charge to apply and audition for the National Youth Folk Ensemble, and travel bursaries are available.

To apply for a place in the Ensemble you will need to:

be aged 14–18 on 1 September of the year you apply
live in England
be able to play confidently on your chosen instrument
be available to attend a final audition in London
be available to commit to all four weeks of residential courses in the school holidays (October, February, April, and summer)

Who are we looking for?

If the following describes you, we’d love to meet you!

Confidence, accuracy and skill on your chosen instrument
An interest in folk music, and desire to learn more
Ability to learn and play music by ear
Experience of folk character and style from any tradition
Passion for playing and collaborating with others
Interest in developing arrangements and creating music with others
Commitment to learning and developing as a musician
Open-mindedness and willingness to share ideas

We also take into account a balance of instruments, gender and geographic spread.

How to Apply

There were three steps to the audition process:

Step 1: Attend a free Open Day

(optional, but highly recommended)

Step 2: Submit your application by midnight on 5 June 2023

If you don’t already have one, create an English Folk Dance and Song Society account at efdss.org/account
Fill in the online application form, telling us about your musical background and why you want to join the Ensemble
Submit a film of you playing your main instrument. Please send your film to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line 'Application for National Youth Folk Ensemble 2023-24'.

Your film should include the following:
• Introduce yourself – say your name and what you plan to play.
• Play one set of tunes, or two separate pieces, adding up to 6 minutes in total. Your chosen repertoire should be played by ear and be traditional/ contemporary folk tunes of any style.

Important things to think about:
• Play music that you know well and enjoy playing.
• Through your tune choices and playing, you should demonstrate your interest in traditional music and your musicality.
• We're looking for quality of playing over quantity and speed – we’d prefer to hear a simpler tune played confidently and well, rather than an overly complex tune, or one played too fast.
• Please show some contrast in your programme.

You can send your film in one of the following ways:
• Unlisted YouTube link
• DropBox link
• Send large files with WeTransfer.

Step 3: Attend a Creative Audition Day, if invited

Selected musicians will be invited to a Creative Audition Day at Cecil Sharp House in London on 8 or 9 July 2023.

At the Creative Audition Day, we look at instrumental technique, musicality, ensemble skills, and enthusiasm.

Following the Creative Audition Days, places will be offered to young musicians for the 2023–24 National Youth Folk Ensemble.

Experience the Ensemble

We strongly recommend you attend a National Youth Folk Ensemble Open Day to learn new skills, experience what it’s like to be a member of the Ensemble, and understand what we’re looking for in new members. Open Days are free to attend and you will have a fun, creative and inspiring day!

If you are new to folk music, we recommend you watch our film resource Folk Music Starting Points created by the National Youth Folk Ensemble team

Fees and financial support

There are no audition fees and we can help with travel costs to and from the audition venue.

Membership of the National Youth Folk Ensemble costs £500 for the year. This covers some of our costs in running the four week-long residential sessions..

We want everyone who is offered a place in the Ensemble to be able to take it up and we are able to offer financial support if the fee or travel costs are unaffordable.
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about financial aid.

Bursaries for 2023/24 are supported by The Postlethwaite Music Foundation.
logo for The Postlethwaite Music Foundation

If you have any questions please contact the Programme Manager for the National Youth Folk Ensemble: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

logo: Department for Education / Arts Council England