As part of the BBC's commitment to developing and nurturing young talent, BBC Radio 3 launched its New Generation Artists scheme in the autumn of 1999. Now well into its second decade, the scheme has already acquired the reputation of being a world leader for young artists. Every autumn six to seven artists or groups who are beginning to make a mark on the national and international music scene are invited to join, which offers them unique opportunities to develop their considerable talents. These include concerts in London and around the UK, appearances and recordings with the BBC Orchestras, special studio recordings for Radio 3, and, last but not least, appearances at the Proms. In 2006 the scheme's range widened to include jazz.

As part of the scheme Radio 3 has also collaborated with several record companies, including nine co-produced CDs in the EMI Debut series, three of which (Belcea Quartet, Simon Trpceski and Jonathan Lemalu) have won Gramophone Awards for the best Debut CD of the year. There have also been co-productions with Harmonia Mundi, BIS, Sony Classical and Basho among others, while a number of New Generation Artists have also featured on BBC Music Magazine cover CDs.

New Generation Artists regularly feature in some of Britain's most prominent festivals, including the City of London Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, Cheltenham Festival and Edinburgh International Festival.
Radio 3 has also launched a series of commissions in collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Society specially involving New Generation Artists. The composers involved include Simon Holt, Geoffrey Burgon, Augusta Read Thomas, Karin Rehnqvist, Mark-Anthony Turnage and Alexander Goehr.

The New Generation Artists come from a wide field, and provide a representative cross-section of the most exciting British and international young artists. They are truly the stars of tomorrow.

Adam Gatehouse - Editor Live Music, BBC Radio 3