2009/2010 Course Auditions

A selection, usually of 12 singers and 3 repetiteurs, is made by a panel drawn from the staff of the National Opera Studio and senior representatives of the six major UK opera companies. The successful applicants will be those whose potential for future development has been identified by the opera companies and the staff of the National Opera Studio. 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 progress will be closely monitored, both during the course and also for a period of several years afterwards.

The audition process will consist of a Preliminary Round and a Final Round a few weeks later.

Singers: Preliminary round will be held in the week beginning 09 February 2009. The final round will be held in March 2009.

Repetiteurs: Preliminary round will be held in January 2009. The final round will take place in March 2009.

Usually for singers, there are around 150 applicants of which approximately 25-30 reach the Final Round. All auditions will be held at the National Opera Studio in Wandsworth.

i) 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 e-mail Katie Jones (Auditions Secretary) at k.jones@nationaloperastudio.org.uk when returning your application form.

Australian singer applicants: There is a scholarship available for Australians wishing to apply for the National Opera Studio, with a competition attached. Australian applicants are encouraged to use this method of applying to the NOS. The scholarship, entitled the Covent Garden National Opera Studio Scholarship, is awarded by Opera Foundation Australia. Their website can be found at www.operafoundationaust.org.au.

ii) What to Prepare

Singers: For your audition, you will be required to prepare three operatic arias, contrasting in style, to include one in English or English translation. You may bring the same arias to the final round audition, should you get through. An official accompanist will also be available to play for you. You may bring your own accompanist with you if you wish. If you do so, please let Katie Jones (Auditions Secretary) know prior to your audition.

Repetiteurs: For your audition you are required to prepare one scene from each of two contrasting operas. Both scenes should involve at least two characters, and at least one scene should be in a foreign language. You will be expected to sing the vocal lines as you play. There will also be a sight-reading test and an interview with the audition panel. If you are called for a final audition, you will be notified two weeks beforehand of specific pieces to prepare.

Facilities for warming up prior to your audition are available.

Applications

Applicants for auditions should return the application form (see below) to the Auditions Secretary at the address below, together with full details of their career and training to date. Each application must be supported by two written recommendations, sent directly from your referee to the Studio.

You may choose referees from any of the following:-

• Opera companies
• The principals, directors or heads of the opera departments of colleges and academies of music
• Teachers
• Conductors
• Well known professional musicians

For singers, the recommendations must confirm that the applicant concerned is ready, vocally, for an intensive advanced one-year course and is particularly suited for stage work.

Non-EU Applicants

At the discretion of the panel, one place on the 2009/2010 course may be open to non-European Union applicants or those applicants who are not in possession of a work permit. The same requirements as outlined under ‘Applications’ apply. The Studio will only accept audition tapes and CD’s for initial assessment. The Studio cannot accept audition tapes in lieu of a personal audition.

Closing date

Applications for the September 2009 should arrive no later than 14 December.

Scholarships and grants

You should be aware that 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.

Audition fees

An audition fee of £60 will be payable in advance of your audition and should be sent with your completed application form. Cheques should be drawn on a British bank in Sterling only, 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.

Course fees and maintenance

UK/EU Applicants:

The successful applicants from the UK and EU who are offered places on the course will receive a full scholarship to cover the costs of the Studio’s fees - £9,750. Students will, however, need to raise their subsistence/maintenance costs for each term. The Studio can help to direct students towards further bursaries, scholarships and awards that may help with this.

Non UK/EU Applicants:

For successful applicants from outside the EU, the NOS course fees will be £15,750. Scholarships may be available to cover some of the cost of the fees (please apply to the General Manager), but successful applicants will have to cover their maintenance and subsistence costs themselves.

DOWNLOADS

Application forms for singers and repetiteurs will be available in word and pdf format in August 2008.