Job Title: Hesse Scheme Intern
Job Type: Temporary, fixed term from Thursday 11 June – Monday 29 June 2026
Location: Aldeburgh Festival 2026: Snape Maltings and surrounding areas
Department: Performance Programme
About us:
Britten Pears Arts (BPA) is a pioneering Music & Arts based charity, situated on the beautiful Suffolk coast, working across a wide range of activities. Music-related charitable work includes Artist Development, a year-round Performance Programme, Music in the Community and Creative Health and our Living Heritage Museum and Archive at The Red House. Together, these activities uphold the artistic legacy of our founders and continue their mission to make the arts useful and accessible to all.
The Aldeburgh Festival, founded in 1948 by composer Benjamin Britten and his life partner Peter Pears, remains one of the most distinctive and celebrated classical music festivals in the world. Every June, it brings together new commissions, world premieres and internationally acclaimed artists on the stretch of Suffolk coastline that so deeply inspired Britten and Pears. This year, we will be celebrating our 77th Festival and our 67th year of the Hesse Student Scheme.
The Hesse Intern Scheme (Hesse Student Scheme) was launched in 1959 when Princess Margaret of Hesse and the Rhine wanted to ensure that more people, particularly young people, had access to the Aldeburgh Festival. Princess Margaret was a President of the Festival and a generous supporter for many years, establishing the Hesse Lecture Fund after the death of her husband, Prince Ludwig. The opportunity she created for people interested in music, heritage and the wider arts industry remains at the heart of the scheme today.
The scheme runs from Thursday 11 June until Sunday 28 June 2026, and applicants should only apply if they are available to attend for the entirety.
Role Description:
The Hesse Interns are integral to the day-to-day running of the Festival, and perform a wide variety of important tasks, from welcoming audiences and artists to our venues in Aldeburgh, Snape and the wider area, to providing on the ground support to teams that require it. The role requires strong communication skills and the ability to build positive, respectful relationships with people at all levels.
As well as attending a wide range of Festival events, participants on the Hesse Scheme gain meaningful insight into the planning and administration of an internationally recognised arts and heritage organisation. Throughout the programme, you will meet staff at all levels across BPA and have opportunities to ask questions, explore career pathways and develop a greater understanding of what it is like to work within the arts.
Where possible, we will also offer tailored activities or shadowing sessions with relevant departments based on your particular areas of interest, giving you focused, hands-on experience in parts of the organisation that inspire you most.
Traditionally, Hesse Interns also curate and present a performance of their own during the Festival, often collaborating with their cohort in unique spaces such as Britten and Pears' library at their former home, The Red House.
You will report to the Assistant Producer, Performance Programme and the Super Hesse, who will be responsible for scheduling your time and supporting you throughout your experience.
Key Responsibilities:
* Welcoming artists and guests to venues, including Snape Maltings Concert Hall and The Red House, ensuring a high-quality experience
* Helping with events: setting up venues, supporting concert managers, assisting backstage and "behind the scenes"
* Workingwithin a museum and archive environment at The Red House, Aldeburgh
* Providing general administrative and practical support to the Performance Programme, ensuring the smooth running of all Festival events
* Page turning for select concerts, including those in Snape Maltings Concert Hall
* Assisting with family and school activities
* Using social media to capture behind the scenes moments, part of creating a new Hesse advertisement video
* Shadowing our technical, stage/concertmanagement and lighting teams
* Assisting the Development team at functions/interval receptions/dinners, including liaising with catering and event management as well as looking after guests
* Stewarding and invigilating at events on and off-site such as Festival Walks and exhibitions
Due to the nature of the Festival, some irregular and evening hours are required, but we always make sure you're well supported and able to take appropriate breaks.
What we offer you:
This is a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience with an internationally renowned arts organisation, and whilst you are with us, we will provide:
* A stipend of £30/dayfor expenses
* Self-catering accommodation in Aldeburgh/Snape
* One hot meal per day at one of the Snape Maltings catering outlets
* Reimbursement of your domestic travel expenses to and from Snape Maltings (up to the value of £100)
* Hands-on experience of an arts and heritage organisation and world-renowned festival
* Career advice from industry professionals
* Free entry to concerts at The Aldeburgh Festival(where possible)
We are an equal opportunities employer and believe that diversity strengthens and enriches us. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates of all ages and from all backgrounds, in particular from global majority backgrounds and disabled candidates who are currently under-represented at Britten Pears Arts.