BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme enters its 11th year with the announcement of a new crop of talented musicians. The programme, which develops and supports young artists already gaining recognition at a national and international level, offers a range of opportunities. These include broadcast concerts at London’s Wigmore Hall and LSO St Luke’s, performances and recordings with the BBC’s five orchestras, studio recordings for Radio 3 and appearances at the BBC Proms.

Joining the scheme this year are six artists and an ensemble: 21-year-old French violinist Alexandra Soumm, who has recorded discs of Bruch, Paganini and Grieg for the Claves label; tenor Ben Johnson, First Prize-winner at the 2008 Kathleen Ferrier Awards; pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, who has made recordings for EMI’s 200th Chopin anniversary edition; 2010 Credit Suisse Young Artist and cellist Nicholas Altstaedt; German violinist Veronika Eberle, who will soon debut with the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony orchestras; the Escher String Quartet, which has performed at a number of prestigious venues around the world; and jazz saxophonist and clarinettist Shabaka Hutchings, who has recorded with Courtney Pine and Soweto Kinch.

These musicians join the six young artists starting their second year on the scheme.