Apply for the VOCES8 UK Scholars Programme
The UK Scholars Programme offers training in choral and small ensemble singing to eight singers each year. To be eligible for the 2024-25 programme you must be available for the dates below:
Copyright Colin Sheen
Introductory Course: Saturday 14 - Monday 16 September 2024
Spring Course: Friday 11 - Sunday 13 April 2025
VOCES8 Summer School at Milton Abbey: Sunday 27 July - Saturday 2 August 2025
To apply for the UK programme, please upload your CV, cover letter and a recording of your choice to this linked application form.
To ensure that we are meeting our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion we would be grateful if you could fill out our equality survey: Anonymous Equalities Monitoring Form.
Application Deadline: Friday 5 January 2024
London Auditions: Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 March 2024
Should you be successful in receiving an audition, we will ask you to sing one of the following pieces suitable to your voice type at modern concert pitch. Ideally, please do not use the listed pieces below as part of your initial application.
Soprano: ‘Piangerò la sorte mia’ with recitative from Giulio Cesare, G. F. Handel
Mezzo/Alto: ‘Agnus Dei’ from Mass in B minor, J. S. Bach
Tenor: ‘Where’er you walk’ from Semele, G. F. Handel
Bass: ‘The trumpet shall sound’ with recitative (A section only) or ‘The people that walked in darkness’ from Messiah, G. F. Handel
To find out more about our UK Scholars Programme, check out the link below.
FAQs
Do I have to pay to take part in the programme?
You do not have to pay to take part in the programme, and support is available for travel costs within the UK.
Do I have to live in the UK?
You do not have to be resident in the UK to apply for the UK programme and several of our current Scholars are based in Europe. We cannot guarantee to cover the cost of international travel, but we will try to offer support where possible. Most of the programme will take place in or near London, so to get the most out of all the opportunities available you should be willing to travel there by arrangement throughout the season.
We also run a programme in the US if that’s more suitable to your location. Find out more about the VOCES8 US Scholars Programme HERE.
What is the age limit for the programme?
There is deliberately no set upper age limit to the programme as we recognise that different singers develop at different times. The programme is reasonably advanced and most singers who participate are starting to work either full or part-time as professional singers. Applicants must be 21 years of age or above as of September 2024 and most singers on the programme tend to be of post-graduate age/ability.
What is the time commitment over a whole season?
We ask applicants to be available for the course dates as listed above. We will also invite successful applicants to a number of other events based on their availability. In the past these have included: training days with the VOCES8 Foundation; helping to lead single-day workshops around the UK; assisting with education projects in France and Belgium; taking part in concerts with VOCES8 and Academy of Ancient Music; Christmas concerts in Norway; performing as a group at the VOCES8 Centre in London; recording education repertoire for the VOCES8 Foundation.
We know that not everyone is always free for everything and successful applicants can expect to be invited to 10-20 additional days across the season.
Do I have to send a recording to apply?
Yes please! It is one of the most important things that we look at when we are choosing who to invite to audition. It doesn’t need to be very elaborate — in the past, some successful applicants have sent an unaccompanied folk song recorded on a phone.
What should I send for my recording?
It can be anything where we can clearly hear your voice, and something which you feel shows it at its best. This could be a song or an aria, an unaccompanied folk song, a one-voice-per-part choral piece or an a cappella solo lead for example. Some people have sent a couple of contrasting items in the past — this is also fine! Please don’t send more than two items, however, and there is absolutely no disadvantage if you send only one recording. We have had successful applicants in the past who sent in an unaccompanied folk song recorded on their phone. Edited submissions cannot be accepted.
Please upload your recording to Google Drive, SoundCloud or an unlisted (not private) YouTube link and submit the link for consideration.
What should I write in my cover letter?
Your cover letter is an opportunity for us to get to know you and to understand why you are interested in the VOCES8 Scholars Programme. In addition, it is an opportunity for you to talk about anything which you feel is relevant to your application in addition to your CV and recording.
What happens once I send in my application?
After the closing date, we will be in touch by Tuesday 16 January 2024, and a small number of candidates will be invited to audition in London in March.
What happens in the audition?
You will be set an aria to sing suitable for your voice type. There will also be some sight-reading and an informal interview. The sight-reading will be from “normal” classical repertoire, rather than something deliberately difficult. An accompanist is provided.