Performance Opportunities for Young People in London
There’s one thing that cannot be found in the practise room: that exhilarating rush of adrenaline you get from a live performance. For young musicians, there is an immense value in performing live – learning to deal with nerves, building confidence, and finding a network of like-minded friends who share your passion. Performance opportunities in London, however, can be hard to come by.
This is a list of exciting performance opportunities for young people, ranging from a short single performance, to opportunities to record with a prestigious orchestra, and everything in between.
Age: 14-18
Cost: £295 per course with bursaries available
Location: Multiple locations across UK
Gabrieli Roar is an innovative collaboration between Gabrieli and a network of diverse British youth choirs. This partnership empowers young singers to perform alongside professional musicians, immersing them in Gabrieli’s dynamic performances and recordings. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Paul McCreesh, Gabrieli Roar supports and inspires youth choirs, especially in areas with limited cultural resources, fostering excellence, confidence, and a passion for choral music. Committed to enriching lives through music, Gabrieli Roar is dedicated to its mission.
Age: 7 and under 26
Cost: £14-£23
Location: NW11
The North London Festival of Music, Speech and Drama occurs annually, offering a platform for participants to showcase their talents and receive feedback. It aims to support musicians and actors, fostering creativity, communication skills, and confidence. The Festival welcomes individuals of all ages and abilities from the UK and Ireland. Constructive feedback is provided from professional adjudicators after classes. With over 200 classes spanning 15 categories, the Festival runs from mid-March to mid-May, with a break for Easter. It includes premier competitions for conservatoire-level students and culminates in an end-of-Festival concert, spotlighting exceptional performers and offering additional performance opportunities.
Age: 7-11
Cost: Free
Location: Pimlico
The Children’s Choir offers community building and musical training led by experienced teacher-singers. Children gather at St Gabriel’s church in Pimlico, where they learn songs, vocal techniques, and music notation. Rehearsals culminate in collaborative concerts with other schools, providing a rewarding musical foundation and fostering friendships.
Opportunities to become a foundation scholar with exciting professional development as a chorister.
Age: 11-18
Location: London
Inner Voices
Age: 11-18
The choir aims to unite talented singers from London state schools with top choral direction from the private sector, performing challenging music to a high standard. Since 2011, they've showcased their talents across the city and abroad, at notable venues like the Royal Albert Hall and events such as St George’s Day in Trafalgar Square. They've also appeared on various radio platforms including Radio 4, Radio 3, and Classic FM.
Age: from 8 up
Cost: £900-£1200 depending on the course with bursaries available
Location: Varying course locations
The Rodolfus Foundation
The Rodolfus Foundation is dedicated to choral singing education, offering residential courses for children and youth. Junior Courses cater to ages 8-15, while Senior Choral Courses serve ages 16-21, with financial assistance available. The Foundation also hosts the Rodolfus Choir, providing professional experiences for young singers. Grassroots initiatives include Choral Academies in Hackney, Lambeth, and Southwark, offering weekly lessons and performance opportunities in primary schools. The aim is to share the joy of choral music, inspiring young singers and fostering musical teamwork.
Age: 8 and under 17
Cost: £8 – £17
Location: Hainault
The Stratford & East London Music Festival was founded in 1882, making it the UK’s oldest music and drama festival. It has continued to grow in popularity since that time. Many musicians and actors can trace the start of their careers from success at the Stratford & East London Music Festival. These include Jonathan Antoine, a runner-up in Britain’s Got Talent in 2012, and Charlotte Barbour-Condini, who reached the final of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2012. The Stratford & East London Music Festival usually runs across two weeks in February.
Age: under 26
Cost: £5-£13
Location: Mottingham, London
To date Blackheath Music Festival has provided a platform for over 17,500 performances, giving each performer a chance to develop his or her skills and confidence in a public arena. Everything that this festival does grows from the desire to offer the performer an enhanced performance opportunity in good surroundings, under good performance conditions, and to receive immediate positive feedback from distinguished professional adjudicators. As at all festivals, the element of competition is entirely secondary.
Age: 21 and under
Cost: £6-£18
Location: Ealing
Aimed primarily for the aged 21 and under, the Ealing Festival of Music, Dance, Speech and Drama was founded in 1947. The primary aim of the Festival is to encourage the study and performance of the arts by providing an opportunity for competitors to perform prepared pieces in public, in a friendly atmosphere. The Festival has classes for all ages and abilities and entries are welcome from all sources including teachers, schools, societies and individuals. Each performer receives constructive feedback from an expert adjudicator, and prizes, trophies or medals are awarded to winners of classes.
Samuel Ng, Director of Tuition
