Associate Membership - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Associate Membership?
The waiting list for lifelong Membership of the Glyndebourne Festival Society.
What are the benefits of Associate Membership?
Associate Members have the opportunity to apply for up to 24 Festival tckets (spread across 6 productions) in the second priority ticket ballot*, immediately after the Festival Society Members' ticket ballot. Associate Members receive a personal booking service, newsletters and advance information about the Festival and special events. They also secure a position on the waiting list for lifelong Festival Society Membership (the estimated waiting time is approximately 10 years).
* While ticket requests cannot be guaranteed, providing a wide selection of alternative dates and ticket prices will increase your chances of securing seats. Glyndebourne reserves the right to limit ticket allocations for certain productions when required. Please note that standing places and slips seats are not available during Associate Members' priority booking.
How much does Associate Membership cost?
Associate Members pay a one-off non-refundable registration fee of £500, and an annual subscription - currently £80 per annum (or £75 by Direct Debit).
What are the benefits of Festival Society Membership?
Members of the Festival Society have the opportunity to apply for up to 24 Festival tickets (spread across 6 productions) in the Members' first priority ticket ballot. Members receive a personal booking service, a complimentary Festival Programme Book, newsletters and advance information about the Festival and special events. Membership of the Festival Society is for life, subject to payment of an annual subscription - currently £170 per annum (or £160 by Direct Debit).
Is Associate Membership/Festival Society Membership a guarantee of tickets to the Glyndebourne Festival?
Priority booking through Associate Membership and Festival Society Membership offers an excellent opportunity to secure tickets to the Festival but we regret that requests cannot be guaranteed as inevitably certain productions and performances are oversubscribed. By providing a wide selection of alternative dates, tickets prices and seating options, the chances of securing tickets may be increased. Please note that standing places and slips seats are not available during Festival Society Member or Associate Member priority booking.
What happens when an Associate Member reaches the top of the waiting list?
When an Associate Member reaches the top of the waiting list they are offered full Festival Society Membership.
Is there a further fee to pay when taking up full Festival Society Membership?
No. However there is an annual subscription to the Festival Society (currently £170 or £160 by Direct Debit).
How long will Associate Members have to wait before they reach the top of the waiting list?
We anticipate that Associate Members will wait approximately ten years for Membership of the Festival Society.
When do Associate Members pay their £500 registration fee?
Immediately on completion of the online registration form, when joining over the telephone (+44(0)1273 815400, 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or in person at Glyndebourne's Box Office.
Can I pay the £500 fee via CAF?
The £500 fee cannot be paid via CAF, in accordance with HMRC guidelines, and is not eligable for Gift Aid.
Is the fee eligible for Gift Aid?
Unfortunately not. However, annual subscriptions to both Associate Membership and Festival Society Membership are eligible for Gift Aid (UK Tax payers only).
When do Associate Members pay their annual subscription?
The subscription is due in Ocober (for the following year). Annual subscriptions are sent out in September annually when you will have the option to set up a Direct Debit. We do ask that all subscriptions are paid for by the named member only.
Are there any concessions to the annual subscription to Associate Membership/Festival Society membership?
We regret not. All Associates and Members are required to pay the full subscription every year – there are no concessions for age or circumstances.
How are Associate Membership places allocated?
Places are allocated immediately on a first come/first served basis via our online registration form, in person at the Box Office or over the telephone.
May I subscribe to Glyndebourne<30* and Associate Membership at the same time?
Yes. However please be aware that tickets available exclusively to Glyndebourne<30 will not be available to purchase during the Associate Members’ or Festival Society Members’ priority booking period.
*Glyndebourne<30 is a complimentary subscription service offering discounted Festival tickets to opera lovers aged 16-29.
May I hold a joint Associate Membership with my spouse/partner?
Yes. You may elect to hold your Associate Membership jointly with your spouse/partner after you have registered. Please email: membership@glyndebourne.com and confirm how you wish the second name to appear on your account.
Please note that registrations to Assoicate Membership must be made initially in sole names.
May Associate Memberships/Festival Society Members be transferred or inherited?
No. Glyndebourne Memberships cannot be transferred other than between spouses or life partners. Please note that if a Festival Society Member or Associate Member resigns or fails to pay the annual subscription, the Membership or Associate Membership is cancelled. We regret that it is not possible to reinstate Membership or Associate Membership at a later date.
What happens after I have registered as an Associate Member?
After we have received your fee payment we will email confimation immediately and then write to formally welcome you to Associate Membership and to give you further details regarding your annual subscription.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to email: membership@glyndebourne.com or telephone: +44(0)1273 815400 (10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
