An important discussion about the value of long-term artist development, drawing together the experiences of the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme and the Young Classical Artists Trust.

As YCAT (Young Classical Artists Trust) celebrates its 40th Anniversary year, the Chamber Superstars concert on 16 June brings together some of the many extraordinary artists supported by the charity over the years. The programme marks the end of an inspiring European Tour earlier in February, including major venues such as Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Cologne Philharmonie, Berlin's Pierre Boulez Saal and the Wigmore Hall.

Who could have foreseen, back in 1984, the incredible impact that YCAT would have both on the careers of some of our now most sought after artists in the classical orbit, and on audiences everywhere over the decades. YCAT’s influence has become the international benchmark for exceptional classical young musicians embarking on their professional lives. In the last season, YCAT artists performed across 25 countries, on four continents, and the charity brought in over £250,000 of concert income directly for the artists.

As the world of young professional musicians becomes ever more competitive and challenging, Alasdair Tait (CEO/Artistic Director of YCAT, former cellist of Belcea Quartet and Trustee of Britten Pears Arts) and Caro Barnfield (Director, Music and Heritage at Britten Pears Arts) will talk together around some of the constantly evolving opportunities and obstacles which so many talented young musicians find themselves facing.