The Elgar Festival will host its first-ever Young Singers Masterclass at next year's event.

This event invites singers aged between 18 and 25 to participate.

The festival, which will run from Saturday, May 24 to Sunday, June 1, is an annual event celebrating the life and music of Worcestershire's most renowned composer, Sir Edward Elgar.

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The masterclass will be held on Monday, May 27, at The Firs in Lower Broadheath, Elgar's birthplace.

Six young singers, chosen after auditions, will have the opportunity to work with American soprano April Fredrick, the festival’s composer-in-residence Ian Venables, and accompanists Elizabeth Haughan and Rebecca Watson.

They will perform an English song repertoire of their choice.

The morning session will provide individual coaching, feedback, and advice.

After lunch, the six students will perform in a more formal concert setting.

Artistic director of the festival, Kenneth Woods, said: "We are delighted to launch our inaugural Young Singers Masterclass as part of the 2025 festival.

"Encouraging the next generation of singers to help us celebrate the life and works of Worcestershire’s most famous composer adds a new and exciting element to the festival as well as highlighting the talent of these future singers.

"We look forward to receiving entries."

The public is welcome to attend and learn from both sessions, with entry being free.

To apply, prospective participants should send a short cover letter and a video audition of their chosen song to singforjoy@gmail.com.

The chosen repertoire should be from the works of Elgar, Venables, or an English song composer of their choice.

The deadline for applications is Friday, April 4.

Successful applicants will be notified by Friday, April 18, and all piano parts and vocal scores must be submitted by Friday, April 25.

Next year's festival, themed 'Celebrate with Elgar', will feature world-class professional musicians and artists as well as local choirs and ensembles, placing Elgar's music alongside those of his contemporaries and some of today's leading composers and arrangers.

The festival will take place in various venues, including Worcester Cathedral, Royal Porcelain Works and The Guildhall.