Aldeburgh Music

Auditions last for a maximum of 10 minutes, regardless of how many courses you are applying for (please be aware that auditions may be cut short due to time constraints). Candidates are free to choose the first work to be performed and are asked to provide copies of their auditions repertoire for the panel. All auditions will be videoed.

Although there is no set repertoire for auditions, applicants are asked to prepare repertoire that reflects their technical ability, following the guidelines below:

VOICE
For vocal courses and opera roles, singers are asked to present repertoire related to the course(s)/role(s) for which they are auditioning. Singers should offer at least three or four contrasting items from which the panel will select.

BRITTEN–PEARS ORCHESTRA
Candidates are required to prepare one movement of a major concerto or a comparable solo work, as well as four orchestral excerpts - click here for the excerpts download page. The candidates are asked to prepare all extracts and the panel will then choose any four at the audition. Please note that all percussionists and harpists need to apply by recording and harpists may choose their own four excerpts.

BRITTEN–PEARS BAROQUE ORCHESTRA
Candidates should prepare two contrasting movements; the standard should be comparable with that of a major concerto. The movements do not necessarily have to be from the same work. Please note that, at the London Open auditions, a harpsichord will only be available on Saturday 6 February as well as at New York (December 2 only), Basel, Amsterdam and The Hague. At all other audition venues harpsichord availability cannot be guaranteed.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF STRING QUARTETS
This course is for existing string quartets. The auditions will be up to 20 minutes long and applying quartets are asked to prepare two contrasting movements from a quartet of their choice.

NEW MUSIC NEW MEDIA
Performer applicants: candidates are asked to prepare two contrasting works from the 20th or 21st centuries.
Composer applicants: candidates must submit an application form, CV, application fee, a CD or DVD and one or two scores of recent works, a list of works and performances and two letters of recommendation from established musicians.

RECORDED APPLICATIONS
If you are unable to attend a live audition, you can submit a recorded audition. This should be recorded live and without edits, and presented in any of the following formats: CD or DVD. Please follow the repertoire guidelines for the course for which you are applying. Please note that instrumentalists applying for the Britten–Pears Orchestra (not including harp) must perform ALL of the online excerpts if auditioning by tape. Make sure that both the case and the disc/tape itself are clearly labelled with your name, instrument and the tracklisting.

BPO ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR SCHEME
Applicants should submit an application form, CV, application fee, a DVD of recent symphonic or chamber orchestra work, and two letters of recommendation from established musicians. The BPO Musicians' Company Conductor's Bursary is supported by the Worshipful Company of Musicians.