Young folk?

Applications are now open for the National Youth Folk Ensemble. Find out more.

The English Folk Dance and Song Society has launched a nationwide search for talented young musicians to become the first members of the new National Youth Folk Ensemble.

The National Youth Folk Ensemble will bring together instrumentalists aged 14 to 18 to participate in intensive residential courses, create new arrangements of folk music and give public performances, guided by Artistic Director Sam Sweeney (BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year 2015) and other leading folk artists.

Artistic Director Sam Sweeney

A series of Sampler Days will be held throughout England during May and June to audition musicians for places in the Ensemble. Each Sampler Day will be an inspiring introduction to the Ensemble and include creative workshops with Sam Sweeney and professional folk musicians Miranda Rutter and Rob Harbron; individual auditions; and a Q&A with Ensemble staff. 

Places on the Sampler Days are free but limited.

Book your free place now