Samling Insititute for Young Artists

Samling Artist Jade Moffat with
mezzo soprano Ann Murray DBE. Photo © Mark Pinder

Samling is a charity which, since its founding in 1996, has supported young professional singers and accompanists via its young artists scheme and the Samling Academy. But though the name Samling means ‘gathering’ or ‘collective’ in old Norse word, and bringing people together is very much something the charity does, the name does not give a very clear idea of exactly what the charity's role is. So the name is changing, and in future the charity will be known as the Samling Institute for Young Artists.

Samling is based in the North East and as well as giving individual singers support as Samling Artists, it runs the Samling Academy which aims to fill the gap in conservatoire provision (there is no conservatoire between Manchester and Glasgow), so the Academy provides training and performance opportunities for 30 young singers each year who are growing up or studying in the North East. Over 25% of Academy singers go on to study music at conservatoire.

There is a chance to catch up with Samling's work on 21 November 2018 when there is a showcase concert at the Wigmore Hall with Samling Artists past and present, including Elin Pritchard (soprano), Olivia Warburton (mezzo-soprano), Nicky Spence (tenor), James Newby (baritone), Christopher Glynn (piano), Jâms Coleman (piano) and Alex Jennings (actor).

Further details from the Wigmore Hall website.