Becoming a Member - FAQ

Your questions answered

What is Associate Membership?

Associate Membership is the route to full Membership of the Glyndebourne Festival Society.

Associate Members enjoy benefits including priority access to tickets and secure a place on the waiting list for the Glyndebourne Festival Society – we estimate that Associate Members will be promoted to the Festival Society 10-12 years after joining.

Associate Membership is open to anyone age 18 or over. We have a separate Under 40s Membership available for those aged 16-39 years.

What are the benefits of Associate Membership?

Priority access to Festival tickets immediately after Festival Society Members
Priority booking for autumn performances and other events throughout the Glyndebourne year
Special events – Invitations to year round Member-only events
Personal booking service
Ticket exchange service fee waived for Associate Members
Members’ waiting list for sold out performances
Members’ magazine: Bringing you closer to the people and the stories that make Glyndebourne unique.
My Glyndebourne, a Member-only section of our website
Advance information: season launch, production schedule, cast and creative team and Introducing…email series giving insights into every production we stage
Advance notification of seasonal sales in our online shop
Occasional member-price on selected gifts from our online shop
Free Member prize draws
Plus in your first year – a complimentary copy of the Festival Programme Book

HOW DO I BOOK FESTIVAL TICKETS?

Each year we invite Members to submit their ticket requests using an online application form (or paper form if preferred)
Members are emailed a link to their priority ticket application form in November. New Associate Members will be emailed within 2 days of joining.
We recommend including a selection of dates, tickets prices and seating options for each opera you’d like to attend.
The deadline to submit your ticket requests is usually in January – we’ll confirm the date on your application form.
The deadline for Festival Society Members to submit their ticket requests is earlier than Associate Members, and their tickets are allocated first.
All Associate Member ticket requests received by their deadline are processed at random by our expert Box Office team.
If there are any queries about your application our team will be in touch.
Standing places are only available to purchase when public booking opens.

hOW MUCH DOES ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP COST?

Associate Members pay a one-off joining fee of £110 plus an annual subscription which you can choose to pay: annually (currently £90), in advance, or for life.

WHEN DO I PAY MY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION?

If you choose to pay your Associate Membership subscription annually the payment is due in October each year.

WHAT DO ADVANCE AND LIFE MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENTS COVER?

If you choose to pay all your Associate Membership subscriptions in advance, currently £900, this covers all subscription payments until you reach the top of the waiting list (estimated 10-12 years from joining). To select this option choose 10 Years when joining.
If you choose to pay for life, currently £6,000, this covers all Associate Membership subscriptions (currently £90 per year) until you reach the top of the waiting list and all future Festival Society subscriptions (currently £206 per year) for life.

WILL THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATE INCREASE?

We regularly review the annual renewal for Associate Membership and Festival Society Membership. Notification of a renewal increase will be sent at least 4 weeks before the payment is due.

DO ANY CONCESSIONS APPLY TO MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS?

There are no concessions to subscriptions payments. There is a Under 40s Membership – find out more here.

CAN GIFT AID BE CLAIMED ON MEMBERSHIP FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS?

If you are a UK taxpayer we can claim Gift Aid on Membership subscriptions at no extra cost to you. We cannot claim Gift Aid on joining fees. You will be invited to complete a Gift Aid declaration when you join.

CAN I HOLD MY MEMBERSHIP JOINTLY WITH MY SPOUSE/PARTNER?

Associate Memberships are initially taken out in one person’s name, they will be the primary Member. Once you have joined you may elect to hold your Membership jointly with your spouse/partner. The costs and benefits remain the same but you can both administer the account. Email membership@glyndebourne.com to add your spouse/partner.

CAN MEMBERSHIPS BE TRANSFERRED OR INHERITED?

Glyndebourne Memberships cannot be transferred other than between spouses or life partners.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I REACH THE TOP OF THE WAITING LIST?

We anticipate that Associate Members will wait approximately 10 to 12 years for Membership of the Festival Society.
When an Associate Member reaches the top of the waiting list the Membership team will be in contact to invite you to take up your place in the Festival Society.
There is no further fee to pay when taking up full Festival Society Membership. The annual subscription is currently £206 which you can choose to pay annually or in advance for 10 or 20 years.
If, when you joined Associate Membership, you paid upfront for life, this payment covered all future subscriptions, including Festival Society subscriptions so there is nothing further to pay.

CAN I BE AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER AND IN UNDER 30S AT THE SAME TIME?

Yes. Under 30s is free to join and is open to anyone aged 16 to 29. Under 30s tickets are heavily subsidised thanks to our New Generation Programme.
Subsidised Under 30s are available to purchase for selected performances, subject to availability, after public booking opens and are not available during priority booking.