VOCES8 Scholars
“The VOCES8 Scholars Programme is an amazing scheme, run by people who really understand what young singers need as they prepare to enter the profession. It has been an invaluable year of both professional and personal development and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at VOCES8 for this opportunity.”
As part of VOCES8's mission to inspire and champion the next generation of artists, we are proud to offer the VOCES8 Scholars Programmes – unique training opportunities for outstanding young musicians and technicians.
With guidance from VOCES8, its co-founders and leading figures in the classical music industry, our programmes offer a 360-degree view of life as a professional, equipping Scholars with the skills and tools needed to thrive in a modern, evolving industry.
Applications for the 2027-28 VOCES8 Scholars Programmes are now open! Follow the links below to find out more, including how to apply.
Which VOCES8 Scholars Programme is right for me?
While our programmes share the same educational philosophy, each has its own distinctive character, shaped by its location, tutors and partner organisations.
Applicants are welcome from around the world, regardless of nationality or country of residence, but may only apply to one VOCES8 Scholars Programme per year.
When choosing a programme, we encourage you to consider what you'd like to gain from the Scholars year. Alongside the training, the relationships you build with fellow Scholars, tutors and industry professionals can be invaluable. Joining a programme in a country where you hope to develop your career can be particularly beneficial in establishing a local professional network.
We provide support for eligible travel expenses within the country in which each programme is based. Limited assistance with international travel may be available on a case-by-case basis, but cannot be guaranteed.
VOCES8 Scholars Ensemble
Graduates of the UK Scholars Programme may be invited to join the VOCES8 Scholars Ensemble, a professional touring ensemble offering opportunities to continue performing and developing their careers beyond the Scholars year.
“...it was a brilliant training year about the industry and it was one of my best decisions to go for the scheme. It has been career changing for me - leading to singing work in different countries, as well as giving me the confidence to successfully sing for professional ensembles such as the BBC Singers and London Voices and undertake various recording projects with the VOCES8 Foundation Choir.”
Support the Next Generation of Vocal Talent
Through expert tuition, practical experience and opportunities to work alongside leading industry professionals, the VOCES8 Scholars Programmes help outstanding emerging musicians and technicians develop the skills, experience and professional connections needed to build successful careers in music.
Your support helps the VOCES8 Foundation continue to provide these transformative opportunities, championing emerging talent and investing in the future of vocal music.
In the UK, the Scholars Programme is led by VOCES8's co-founder and Artistic Director, Barnaby Smith (barnaby@voces8.foundation), VOCES8 Alto, Katie Jeffries-Harris (katie@voces8.com) and Ann Wright (ann@voces8.foundation), the VOCES8 Foundation’s Director of Education. The US Programme is led by Paul Smith (paul@voces8.foundation), co-founder and CEO of the VOCES8 Foundation and former baritone in VOCES8, and Erik Jacobson (erik@voces8.foundation), Executive Director of the VOCES8 Foundation USA and Lyyra’s Creative Director.
“The whole team has been so willing to help and support us, both as a cohort and individually. On top of all that, I’ve really appreciated being treated as a young professional; learning through working within the Foundation as part of the education team, Scholars Ensemble or Foundation Choir. I’ll be carrying all I’ve learnt and all I’ve experienced this year for the rest of my career, and I’m so grateful for that.”
“Being part of the VOCES8 UK Scholars has been very helpful in my professional development. I’ve received valuable career guidance and had opportunities to make recordings which have helped me to build my portfolio for self-promotion. The VOCES8 Foundation is very supportive, full of friendly and encouraging people who want to support early career artists.”