Centre for Ensemble Excellence

Introduction

Collaboration and innovation are core to our approach at Trinity Laban, pursuing excellence both as an individual and in partnership with peers.

The Centre for Ensemble Excellence is a postgraduate pathway available for students to undertake postgraduate study as part of a pre-formed ensemble. This is a specialist opportunity which enables you to grow as an individual artist, as well as developing collaboratively as part of an ensemble.

You’ll gain specialist expertise and the tools to begin your professional career in an ensemble with your peers, as well as a focus on your own principal study skills.

Key Features

Each individual student in the group will be enrolled onto the Professional Diploma or Artist Diploma Programme, depending on their own level of prior study. All members of the group must participate as full-time students,  working together over the period of study as individual and ensemble musicians.

Students on the pathway will receive an adapted proportion of principal study to ensemble tuition hours, receiving an enhanced provision of ensemble coaching (46 hours for Professional Diploma students, 52 hours for Artist Diploma students) and 10 x additional 1:1 hours, as well as classes and other elements specifically tailored to their specialism.

The Centre for Ensemble Excellence is kindly supported by Philip Carne MBE. The 2025/26 Ensemble currently on the pathway is The Holtág Quartet. Previous Chamber groups who have launched their careers while at Trinity Laban include:

• The Carducci Quartet who, as Junior Fellows, won the Kuhmo Chamber Music Competition (Finland) and Concert Artists Guild International Competition (New York). Now an internationally acclaimed string ensemble, the quartet are Ensemble in Residence at Trinity Laban.

• The Waldstein Trio who joined Trinity Laban in 2022 and won the 4th Vienna International Music Competition a year later. They went on to win the Gold Prize and Special Award for Best Professional Chamber Ensemble in the Amadeus International Music Awards. They continue to enjoy a thriving international career alongside solo engagements.