This October, Southwell Music Festival welcomes back its 2026 Vocal Apprentices for the first of a new series of concerts in the State Chamber.

The Festival’s Apprentice Programme is about much more than giving exceptional emerging musicians the opportunity to perform during Festival week. It aims to support young professional artists at an important stage in their careers through high-level coaching, mentoring and performance opportunities – and, increasingly, by helping them develop the skills to take music beyond the concert platform and into schools and the wider community.

The Palace Sessions concert marks an exciting new chapter in that work.

The four Vocal Apprentices will return to Southwell for an autumn residency combining further coaching and professional development with educational work at The Minster School, before culminating in a public concert in the State Chamber on Friday 9 October. The residency builds on the relationships established during the August Festival and gives these talented young singers the opportunity to continue developing together beyond Festival week.

It is also part of Southwell Music Festival’s ambition to establish a stronger year-round presence: creating more opportunities for audiences to experience outstanding chamber and vocal music throughout the year, while extending the Festival’s educational and community work across the region.

For their autumn return, the Vocal Apprentices will present a programme of solo and ensemble vocal music, joined at the piano by Paul Provost, in the glorious surroundings of the State Chamber – Nottinghamshire’s premier chamber music venue. With only 100 seats in this intimate venue, do not delay in getting your tickets while you still can!