Aldeburgh Music

When will I hear whether or not my application has been successful?
We will inform you by email by the end of July 2010.

Are there interviews involved?
We may telephone you, or arrange to meet you face to face if appropriate, to ask you for more information.

Who is eligible to apply?
The Foundation is designed for composers, writers and directors who have little or no experience of writing and creating opera, but who would like to explore and develop their skills in this field. You can be at any stage in your career. We welcome applications from citizens of all nations and countries worldwide.

Can I apply as part of an existing composer/librettist team?
No. One vital consideration of the course is that of collaboration, and as such we will be pairing each participant up with a variety of partners. However, do apply individually and state that you have an existing working relationship with each other.

I don't know if I can be available for all three of the residential weeks. Is there flexibility over the dates?
It is essential that you are available to attend all three of the residential weeks in Aldeburgh. However, there is currently a little flexibility within the dates, as the periods listed for each workshop are longer than one week. If you think you may be unable to attend on any of the dates listed, before applying please contact Chelsea Lawrence, Opera Administrator at Aldeburgh Music, by email clawrence@aldeburgh.co.uk.

You mention assistance with travel costs. Who is eligible and for how much?
We aim to provide travel bursaries for as many successful applicants as possible, particularly those travelling from outside the UK. These will be calculated on an individual basis, but could be as much as 100% of your costs.

What else will be covered financially?
All participants will be provided with accommodation and one meal daily while you are with us. All participants will also receive 100% bursaries for tuition.

What happens in the workshops?
The workshops are a mixture of practical writing, composing and staging exercises and consideration of the theoretical underpinnings of opera as an art form.

Will artists be provided for the workshops?
Singers, actors and instrumentalists will be engaged for each of the workshop weeks for practical demonstrations and to realize the work that is created.