National Youth Choirs of Great Britain (NYCGB) has opened applications for next year’s Young Composers and Fellowship schemes.
Outstanding choral musicians aged 20-27 are invited to apply to the Fellowship programme, which is designed to develop young people’s skills as performers, educators, leaders, and professionals.
During the fellowship, aimed at young people who want to join the professional choral network, participants will develop a portfolio of work and skills, benefit from mentoring, perform as the standalone NYCGB Fellowship Ensemble, form the core of the National Youth Chamber Choir, and have the opportunity to perform at prestigious venues.
As well as choral leaders, emerging composers aged 18-29 are invited to apply for NYCGB Young Composers - a scheme aiming to champion development, innovation and diversity in new choral music.
Successful applicants will demonstrate clear ability, potential, and a passion for creating high-quality new music for vocal ensembles. Once accepted, they will have the opportunity to take part in residential courses, creative retreats, workshops, peer and professional mentoring, performance showcases, and will receive expert advice and tuition from professional composers.
The young composers will also have the chance to write for NYCGB’s five choirs, and their work will be facilitated by NMC Recordings - NYCGB’s digital partner, who will also supply free licenses and training in Dorico Pro notation software.
NYCGB artistic director and principal conductor, Ben Parry, said: ‘The professional development and training received on these widely-respected programmes is of the highest quality, and participants are mentored and inspired by leading national and international industry professionals.
‘Our programmes are open to all, and we are striving to build an inclusive community and achieve meaningful and balanced representation in the areas of composition for vocal ensembles and choral leadership.’
NYCGB ‘strongly encourages’ young people of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds to apply, and welcomes applications from disabled people and those from lower income households.
The deadline for Young Composers is 31 August 2021 at 4pm, while the Fellowship programme closes on 1 October 2021 at 4pm.
