There is no age limit and you do not have to have studied at a music college to apply to the NOS. The principal requirement is that you have the musical and vocal talent expected for this advanced level of training. We welcome applications from people with disabilities.
A
selection, usually of 12 singers and 3/4 repetiteurs, is made by a panel
drawn from NOS staff and senior representatives
of the six major UK opera companies.
The National Opera Studio has now filled all the places for the 12/13 season. We will start accepting applications for the 13/14 season in September 2012. At that point the forms will appear on this website.
Singer auditions
For your audition you are required to prepare three operatic arias, including one in English or English translation. An official accompanist will be available to play for you for the first round only. You may bring your own accompanist with you if you wish.
You may bring the same arias to the final round audition. Facilities
for warming up prior to your audition are available.
Please note that you are required to provide your own accompanist in the final auditions. If you are travelling from a country outside of England and Wales then an accompanist will be provided for you.
The panel will be unavailable to give feedback after the first round. Feedback will be available to finalists.
Repetiteur auditions
The preliminary audition consists 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 sight-reading and an interview with the audition panel.
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 admin@nationaloperastudio.org.uk when returning your application form.
Non-EU applicants 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, a Creative & Sporting Worker (Tier 5) visa or through patriality/marriage until at least June 2014. The NOS is not a registered education establishment and therefore is not eligible for study visas. All visa requirements must be in place before the final auditions. For more information, 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 £10,750. 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, contact details for two referees and pay the £75 fee.
Referees You will need to supply the names and contact details of two referees. They will be contacted by us should you be successful in your auditions. They should be leading members of the profession such as musicians, directors or members of opera company staff. They should not be your main sining teacher.
Please send your completed application form and CV to:
The Auditions Secretary
National Opera Studio
2 Chapel Yard
Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 4HZ
Fee The application fee is £75. For those who apply after the deadline, the fee will be £150. Full refunds will be given to those that cancel 2 or more weeks before their audition time. Anyone cancelling within two weeks of their audition time will only be eligible for a partial refund.
The NOS accepts payments by sterling cheque, UK postal order, debit and credit cards or bank transfer. Cheques should be made payable
to the "National Opera Studio". To pay by card please call to make your payment. We accept Mastercard, Maestro, Visa, Visa Electron and Solo cards.
Banking Details
Account Name National Opera Studio
Sort Code 18-00-02
Account Number 04449428
Swift/BIC COUTGB22
IBAN GB05COUT18000204449428
Bank Address Coutts & Co
440 Strand
London
WC2R 0QS
