The BBC’s New Generation Artists scheme, which provides young musicians with performance and broadcasting opportunities, is 25 years old this year. The scheme is being celebrated on Monday 3rd March with a special day of programming on BBC Radio 3.
Founded in 1999, the scheme supports some of the world’s finest young instrumentalists, singers and ensembles at the start of their international careers. With over 150 alumni, former participants are among the biggest names in classical music and jazz, including trumpeter Alison Balsom, violinists Lisa Batiashvili and Janine Jansen, pianists Khatia Buniatishvili and Igor Levit, and singers Benjamin Appl and Sally Matthews.
Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, a member of the scheme from 2011–13, said in tribute: “Becoming an NGA was career-defining for me, and the two years I spent at the BBC enabled me to grow as an artist, explore immense amounts of concert and recital repertoire, and learn how to show up under pressure... I will always remain hugely proud of being a former NGA, a club we join for life, and celebrate its continuing success as a scheme.”
Each autumn six or seven young artists at the beginning of careers join the scheme for a two-year period. Since 2006, a jazz artist has also been invited every other year. Young musicians are given performance opportunities at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues and festivals, in recital as well as with the BBC orchestras. Regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 ensure performances are heard by listeners throughout the UK, and across Europe through the European Broadcasting Union.
As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations, BBC Radio 3 and the New Generation Artists scheme announce new partnerships and strengthened collaborations with the Hallé and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields in London.
The current New Generation Artists are:
2023–25
James Atkinson baritone (UK)
Chaos String Quartet (Europe)
Alim Beisembayev piano (Kazakhstan)
Giorgi Gigashvili piano (Georgia)
Niamh O'Sullivan mezzo-soprano (Republic of Ireland)
Michael Pandya collaborative piano (UK)
Johanna Wallroth soprano (Sweden)
2024–26
Julius Asal piano (Germany)
Hana Chang violin (US)
Sterling Elliott cello (US)
Elizaveta Ivanova flute (Russia)
Kleio Quartet (UK)
Emma Rawicz jazz saxophone (UK)
Santiago Sánchez tenor (Uruguay)
Pianist Julius Asal has been announced today as the next recipient of the Terence Judd-Hallé Award and the first Academy of St Martin in the Fields BBC New Generation Associate. Violist Timothy Ridout (2019–22) is the first RNCM/BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Fellow at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Read Bachtrack’s recent interview with Julius Asal.
