It’s a big year for Samling as in 2026 we celebrate our 30th birthday. We are recognised nationally and internationally for our expertise in the training of young classical singers and pianists and ourwork is most often described by them as transformational and life-changing.
All through the year we plan to honour the very people who make up our Samling family – our Samling Artists, our current and former Academy Singers and all those who so generously nurture the next generation. We will also be looking to the future to ensure that through our work with young people, song and opera continue to thrive.
‘I am immensely proud of what Samling has achieved. From its earliest days in a barn in the Lake District I have seen it grow organically into something which is a force for good. I have watched talented young people from all backgrounds find their voice, grow in confidence, make friends and flourish not only in opera houses and concert halls across the globe but also amongst their peers and in their communities.
I am also so very grateful to all our funders over the years who have enabled us as a charity to make no charge for any of our programmes including our work in schools. Talent, potential, hard work and dedication are our only criteria for participation and I believe passionately that there should be no barriers to young people discovering the wonder of this precious art form now and in the future.’
Karon Wright, founding Artistic and Executive Director
We begin our year with those at the very start of their singing journey, or who have not yet even discovered that classical music is for them. In January, Samling Artists soprano Jessica Cale, tenor Nick Pritchard and pianist Alfred Fardell and a team of Academy Singers will lead Samling Futures workshops at seven state secondary schools in Newcastle, Northumberland, Sunderland and Durham, showing students what classical singing is all about and how they can progress through Samling Academy. Our Singing Schools programme continues to expand: we complete our introductory sessions at Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham and Ponteland High School will join the programme.
One of our great pleasures over the years has been to see members of our Samling family grow and return to us in new roles. We’re delighted that Samling Artists soprano Louise Alder and pianist James Baillieu will join Sir Thomas Allen as Patrons of Samling – read more here.
This year Anna Stéphany and Nicky Spence OBE will return to lead the Samling Artist Programme that they once benefitted from and another former Samling Academy Singer, Philippe Durrant, will become a Samling Artist.
Malcolm Martineau OBE, who was one of the leaders at our very first Artist Programme in 1997, will be joining us again at Marchmont House in March and, as we continue to develop our leadership team by bringing in fresh voices and new perspectives, we’re delighted to announce that the award-winning actor Adrian Lester CBE will be joining us. Adrian has starred in acclaimed stage productions at The National Theatre including the title roles in Othello and Henry V and in The Lehman Trilogy on Broadway, and his extensive TV and film work includes the long-running BBC TV series Hustle.
Our Academy Singers will help us to mark our anniversary in style this summer in a glittering cabaret evening of song, opera scenes, dance and spoken word, inspired by Gatsby’s parties. We’re also looking towards our next opera production in summer 2027 and we’ll be building preparation for this into this year’s work with the Academy.
Our anniversary celebrations will conclude with a special showcase at Wigmore Hall on Friday 6 November which will bring together all the strands of our work. Look out for more announcements later in the year.
Main image: Samling Artist Nick Pritchard joins our Academy Singers on stage in the finale of their concert at The Glasshouse. Photo: Mark Pinder
