Become a CMF Artist
CMF’s mission is ‘turning talent into success’.
We select exceptional classical soloists and chamber ensembles, as well as jazz, folk, and world musicians, at the start of their professional careers. At this time when managing ‘the business of music’ can be a challenge, CMF supports them with a comprehensive career development programme.
CMF Alumni tell us of the many ways CMF has helped them during the very fragile early stages of their professional careers, by helping them to develop their unique creative vision, and gaining recognition and a network within the music industry. CMF supports and guides them towards a secure and sustainable future in the profession – in all the ways listed below.
Our aim is that CMF artists are ready for four decades or more of contributing to society’s culture and wellbeing – reaching hundreds of thousands of people through live performance, CDs, streaming, broadcasts, teaching and mentoring – giving back a thousandfold what CMF has given them.
City Music Foundation offers an innovative two-year Artist Programme, consisting of:
Auditions take place annually and so a new set of CMF Artists begin the Artist Programme every Autumn. This means that we have at least two years’ worth of CMF Artists running concurrently.
The number of artists – as well as the number of particular instruments, ensembles, and genres – selected annually is not fixed.
There is an application fee of £30. The relevant bank details for this fee will be sent to you on receipt of your completed application form. Your application will not processed until the payment has been received.
All applications are thoroughly evaluated by a panel of specialist judges in two rounds:
Round 1: online application
All valid applications will be reviewed by at least two external specialist judges, as well as members of the CMF Team. A list of previous judges can be found on the CMF website. The assessment will focus mainly on the requested audio/visual materials.
Round 2: live audition
Applicants chosen in Round 1 will be asked to attend a live audition in front of a panel of specialist judges, again, also including members of the CMF Team. In advance of the audition, these applicants will be asked to complete a more detailed form relating to their time with CMF, including ideas for any specific projects.
This Conditions of Entry is valid from March 2022 until further notice.
Conditions of entry
Instruments, ensembles, and genres
CMF will accept applications from the following:
Solo Applications, including but not limited to:
Ensembles of up to five members, including but not limited to:
Genres include:
If you have any queries, particularly if you unsure about whether to apply as a soloist or as part of your ensemble (especially within the jazz genre), please do get in touch via apply@citymusicfoundation.org or +44 (0)20 7600 7600
Round 1: online application
Audio/visual requirements:
Referee requirements:
Round 2: live audition
Performance requirements:
Interview requirements:
Accompanists/equipment requirements:
For guidelines on completing your application, please download our Conditions of Entry.
Section 1: Personal/Ensemble details
Section 2: Background
Section 3: Being a CMF Artist
Section 4: Video materials
Section 5: Referees
Section 6: Confirmation and administration
If you have a query about any part of the application form or process please do not hesitate to contact us:
Email: apply@citymusicfoundation.org
Phone: +44 (0)20 7600 7600
(Office Hours: 9am-6pm Monday-Friday)
Iain Burnside, Pianist
William Dazeley,
Kit Downes,
Julius Drake, Pianist
Leslie East OBE, Chairman ABCD & Former Chief Executive ABRSM
Paul Edlin, Composer, Director of Music QMUL & Artistic Director Deal Festival
William Fong,
Sholto Kynoch,
Mats Lidstrom, Cellist & Composer
Joan Rodgers, Soprano
Sebastian Scotney, Editor, London Jazz News
Howard Williams, Conductor
Louise Williams,
Ian Ritchie (chairman), Festival Curator & Artistic Director
Iain Burnside, Pianist
Julius Drake, Pianist
Leslie East OBE, Chairman ABCD & Former Chief Executive ABRSM
Paul Edlin, Composer, Director of Music QMUL & Artistic Director Deal Festival
James Gilchrist, Tenor
Simon Haram, Saxophonist, Principal Saxophone at the London Sinfonietta
Mats Lidstrom, Cellist & Composer
Tasmin Little, Violinist
Joan Rodgers, Soprano
Sebastian Scotney, Editor, London Jazz News
Jeremy Summerly, Conductor
Howard Williams, Conductor
2019 Judges
Ian Ritchie (chairman), Festival Curator & Artistic Director
Eugene Asti, Pianist
Levon Chilingirian, Founder & Violinist, Chilingirian Quartet
Robert Cohen, Cellist
Peter Donohoe, Pianist
Leslie East, Chairman ABCD & former CEO, ABRSM
Jonathan Groves, Founder & Managing Director, Groves Artists
Richard Heason, Director, St John’s Smith Square
Andrew Marriner, Clarinetist (Principal of LSO 1986-2019)
Ivo Neame, Jazz Pianist
Celia Nicklin, Oboist (Former Principal of Academy of St Martin in the Fields)
Joan Rodgers, Soprano
Sebastian Scotney, Editor, London Jazz News
2018 Judges
Ian Ritchie (chairman), Festival Curator & Artistic Director
Eugene Asti, Pianist
Michael Collins, Clarinetist & Conductor
Gary Crosby, Tomorrow’s Warriors
Leslie East, Chairman ABCD & former CEO, ABRSM
Huw Humphreys, Head of Music, Barbican Centre
Paul Keene, Classical Music Programmer, Barbican Centre
Mats Lidström, Cellist & Composer
Sebastian Scotney, Editor, London Jazz News
Roger Vignoles, Pianist
Howard Williams, Conductor
2017 Judges
Ian Ritchie (chairman), Festival Curator & Artistic Director
Ben Pateman, Music Consultant & Flautist
Sandy Burnett, Bassist, Journalist, & Broadcaster
Hilary Davan Wetton, Conductor
Leslie East, Chairman ABCD & former CEO, ABRSM
Paul Keene, Classical Music Programmer, Barbican Centre
Sholto Kynoch, Pianist & Artistic Director, Oxford Lieder Festival
Joan Rodgers, Soprano
Richard Thomas, Trumpeter
Sebastian Scotney, Editor, London Jazz News
Andrew Watkinson, Violinist, Endellion String Quartet
Andrew West, Pianist
Louise Williams, Violist
2016 Judges
Ian Ritchie (chairman), Festival Curator & Artistic Director
Jonathan Bloxham, Conductor & Cellist
Sandy Burnett, Bassist, Journalist, & Broadcaster
Iain Burnside, Pianist, Curator, & Broadcaster
Robert Cohen, Cellist
Leslie East, Chairman ABCD & former CEO, ABRSM
Sian Edwards, Conductor
Paul Keene, Classical Music Programmer, Barbican Centre
Mats Lidström, Cellist & Composer
Joan Rodgers, Soprano
Sebastian Scotney, Editor, London Jazz News
Daniel Tong, Pianist
2015 Judges
Ian Ritchie (chairman), Festival Curator & Artistic Director
Margaret Archibald, Clarinettist
Ben Baker, Violinist
William Bennett, Flautist
Jonathan Bloxham, Conductor & Cellist
Sandy Burnett, Bassist, Journalist, & Broadcaster
Leslie East, Chairman ABCD & former CEO, ABRSM
Paul Keene, Classical Music Programmer, Barbican Centre
Mats Lidstrom, Cellist & Composer
Noriko Ogawa, Pianist
Sebastian Scotney, Editor, London Jazz News
Howard Williams, Conductor
Previous judges have included
Alistair Anderson, Folk Musician
Alison Balsom, Trumpeter
Ian Brown, Pianist, Nash Ensemble
Paul Cassidy, Violist, Brodsky Quartet
Levon Chilingirian, Founder & Violinist, Chilingirian Quartet
Jacqui Dankworth, Jazz singer
John Gilhooly, Artistic Director, Wigmore Hall
Jeremy Hayes, Proprietor, Potton Hall
David Jones, Director, SERIOUS
Stephen Lumsden, Managing Director, Intermusica
Sally Matthews, Soprano
Andy Panayi, Jazz musician & Composer
Andrew Parmley, Former Master of the Worshipful Company of Musicians
Jennifer Pike, Violinist
Joan Rodgers, Soprano
Charlie Wood, Jazz musician & Composer
Please download and read our Terms and Conditions before applying.