Apply for the VOCES8 US Scholars Program
The VOCES8 US Scholars Program is an annual initiative for twelve singers who are passionate about choral and small ensemble singing. Dates for the courses are being confirmed and will be passed on to applicants as soon as possible.
To apply for the US program, please upload your resume, cover letter and a recording of your choice to this linked application form.
Application Deadline: Wednesday 7 January 2026
Auditions will be held both in-person and online in February and March 2026. In-person auditions will primarily take place on:
- Winter Park, FL – Sunday, 15 February
- Houston, TX – TBC
Auditionees are also welcome to review VOCES8’s tour dates to find alternative audition dates and locations, subject to availability.
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: ‘Zerfließe, mein Herze’ (up to fig. H, b. 88) from St John Passion, J. S. Bach
Alto: ‘Yet, can I hear that dulcet lay’, from The Choice of Hercules, G. F. Handel
Tenor: ‘Waft her Angels’, from Jeptha, G. F. Handel
Baritone: 'Mache dich, mein Herze, rein’ from St Matthew Passion, J. S. Bach
Bass: ‘Lord God of Abraham’ (Air only, from b. 4), from Elijah, F. Mendelssohn
To find out more about our US Scholars Program, check out the link below.
FAQs
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Do I have to pay to take part in the program?
You do not have to pay to take part in the program, and support is available for travel costs within the US.
Do I have to live in the US?
You do not have to be a US resident to apply for the US program. We have had Scholars based in other countries in the past. We cannot guarantee to cover the cost of international travel, but we will try to offer support where possible. We also run a program in the UK if that’s more suitable to your location. Find out more about the VOCES8 UK Scholars Program HERE.
What is the age limit for the program?
There is deliberately no set upper age limit to the program, as we recognise that different singers develop at different times. The program 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 2026 and most singers on the program tend to be of post-graduate age/ability.
What is the time commitment over a whole season?
Applicants will be invited to three residential courses throughout the year, the dates of which will be shared with Scholar candidates as soon as they have been confirmed. We will also invite successful applicants to a number of other events based on their availability.
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 or an a cappella solo lead for example. Some people have sent a couple of contrasting items in the past — this is really useful. Please do not 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 (please use .mp3 files rather than .wav files), 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 Program. 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 Sunday 18 January 2026, and a small number of candidates will be invited to audition.
What happens in the audition?
For the in-person auditions, 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.
For the online auditions, you will be asked to send a video performance of a set aria suitable for your voice type. A zoom interview will then be arranged which will consist of some sight-reading from the “normal” classical repertoire and an informal interview.