There is no age limit and you do not have to have studied at a music college to apply to the NOS. We welcome applications from people with disabilities. The principal requirement is that you have the musical and vocal talent expected for this advanced level of training.
A
selection, usually of 12 singers and 3 repetiteurs, is made by a panel
drawn from NOS staff and senior representatives
of the six major UK opera companies. The successful applicants will be
those who believes has the potential for future development. It should
be stressed that the selection does not guarantee work with the companies
at the end of the course, but it does ensure that trainees' progress is closely
monitored.
Preliminary auditions take place 8-12 February 2010. For your audition you are required to prepare three operatic arias, including one in English or English translation, that are contrasting in style. An official accompanist will be available to play for you. You may bring your own accompanist with you if you wish.
Final round auditions take place 25-26 March 2010. You may bring the same arias to the final round audition. Facilities
for warming up prior to your audition are available.
Repetiteur auditions
Preliminary auditions take place the morning of 28 and 29 January 2010. This audition will consist of playing one scene from two contrasting operas, singing the vocal lines as you play. Both scenes should involve at least two characters, and at least one scene should be in a foreign language. There will also be a sight-reading test and an interview with the audition panel.
Final round auditions will take place on 15 March 2010. If you are awarded a
final audition you will be notified two weeks beforehand of specific pieces to
prepare.
Overseas applicants
If
you will be travelling from outside Europe to audition and would like
a preliminary audition scheduled directly before the final auditions, to
save you travelling twice, please telephone or email auditions@nationaloperastudio.org.uk when returning your application form.
Non-EU applicants The Visa regulations for non-EU applicants changed in March 2009. The NOS cannot audition applicants from non-EU countries who do not have leave to study or work in the UK by virtue of a Highly Skilled Worker (Tier 1) visa or through patriality/marriage. For more information about this, please visit the UK Border Agency website.
Course fees and maintenance
The
successful applicants who are offered places on the
course will receive a full scholarship to cover the costs of the
Studio’s fees of £10,000. However, students will need to raise
their subsistence/maintenance costs for each term. The NOS can help to direct students towards further
bursaries, scholarships and awards that may help with this.
Scholarships and grants
Several of the grant awarding bodies have a closing
date for applications before the final round of the NOS auditions. It
is important to apply for these as soon as possible, not withstanding
the result of the audition panel. For more information about scholarships and grants, please visit www.mbf.org.uk/fundingwizard.
Applications Along with your application form, you need to provide a copy of your CV, two references and pay the £62 fee.
References You will need to supply two references in support of your application that need to be written by a respected musician, director or member of opera company staff. Please ask your referees to send their reference via post or email it to auditions@nationaloperastudio.org.uk.
Please send your completed application form to:
The Auditions Secretary
National Opera Studio
2 Chapel Yard
Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 4HZ
Fee The application fee is £62. The NOS accepts payments by sterling cheque, UK postal order, credit card or bank transfer (account number 04449428, sort code 18-00-02). Cheques should be made payable
to the "National Opera Studio". A Visa or MasterCard facility
is also available (please call to make your payment). Please note
that we do not accept switch/debit cards.
Closing date
Applications
should arrive no later than 4 December 2009. Late applicants will be placed on a reserve list and may be considered for an audition subject to availability in the audition schedule.
