2023/24 APPRENTICESMONTEVERDIPROGRAMME
2018/19 Apprentices Recital - King’s College London
The Monteverdi Apprentices Programme was set up in 2007 - the first of its kind in the UK - its aim being to nurture musical talent and a passion for ensemble performance. We hope to address some of the myriad challenges faced by emerging classical musicians, by embedding them within the Monteverdi ensembles and equipping them with the skills, training and specific experience required to continue a sustainable professional career.
‘Our Apprentices have proved to be a magnificent addition to the Monteverdi ensembles. The Apprentices Programme provides a holistic and comprehensive programme offering young musicians a bridge between university, conservatoire and the professional world.’
INTRODUCTIONAPPRENTICESMONTEVERDIPROGRAMME
2023/24
SIR JOHN ELIOT GARDINER, MCO ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
We are now accepting applications from singers for the 2023/24 Monteverdi Apprentices Programme. This iteration of the scheme will run from March 2023 until April 2024. It is aimed at those with an interest in ensemble singing and the work of the Monteverdi Choir, who are either coming to the end of their musical studies or at the early stages of their singing career.
Our choral Apprentices will be integrated into the Monteverdi Choir, joining them and our two period instrument orchestras (the English Baroque Soloists and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique) augmenting our musical forces for concert projects in London and on tour in Europe. They will, in addition, take part in a range of workshops and masterclasses led by John Eliot Gardiner, their mentors and other experts in their respective fields.
o Yoga and posture
Each Apprentice will be matched to an experienced member of the Monteverdi Choir who is on hand to provide artistic advice and practical support throughout the year. Mentors will establish clear goals and action points with their Apprentices at the start of the Programme and will ensure that these are met throughout the year.
o Leading workshops and rehearsals
“One of the most valuable aspects of the scheme is the mentoring element; having a member of the ensembles whom you can approach with any questions – musical or otherwise – and can offer advice and even further performing opportunities”
Workshop sessions covering a range of musical and non-musical fields
WHAT DOES THE APPRENTICES
Apprentices receive personal and group tuition from John Eliot Gardiner, their mentors, and other external experts. These typically cover:
o Movement and stagecraft
JAMES QUILLIGAN, 2018/19 APPRENTICE (went on to study at the Alexander Gibson Opera Studio at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland)
o Historically inspired performance practice
APPRENTICES
o Mental health and wellbeing within the music industry
PROGRAMME OFFER?
Mentoring from a current Monteverdi Choir singer
“The Apprentices Programme was a hugely enriching and valuable experience for me - it really enabled me to stretch myself and grow as an artist whilst also benefiting from a supportive environment. It has served as the most wonderful foundation to my career, and I am delighted to be able to support the new cohort of Apprentices as I join the mentoring team.”
o Managing a portfolio freelance career
CHARLOTTE LA THROPE, 2018/19 APPRENTICE (now regular singer with the Monteverdi Choir and mentor for the 2023/24 Apprentices Programme)3|MONTEVERDI
DAVINA CLARKE, FORMER APPRENTICE (now regular violinist with our two orchestras)
JONATHAN HANLEY, 2018/19 APPRENTICE (has performed with the Monteverdi Choir in all major projects since finishing the Apprentices Programme)
“It was a luxury having the time to cover finer interpretational points and technical challenges alongside the other Apprentices on such an intimate level.”
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Rehearsal preparation
We believe it is vital for musicians to gain early experience of the rigours of international touring, and our feedback from past participants tells us how much this is valued. Apprentices will perform within the Monteverdi Choir in paid professional engagements in London and on tour in Europe, and all their expenses are paid whilst on tour.
Apprentices will take part in extra preliminary rehearsals to help them become familiar with the repertoire and the specific musical techniques and direction required for projects with the Monteverdi ensembles. These are augmented with sessions covering related repertoire and languages.
Apprentices workshops with David Watkin (L) and Dietrich Henschel (R)
The experience of performing a wide variety of repertoire on tour
“The Apprentices Programme offers such a high level of training and musicmaking because you are embedded within the ensembles; you are held to the same account as everyone else. It is a level above other schemes I have been a part of”
2018/19 Apprentices workshops
A platform upon which to launch a performing career
If you would like any further information either about the Apprentices Programme of the Monteverdi ensembles in general, please visit our website www.monteverdi.co.uk or contact Andrew Softley: auditions@monteverdi.org.uk
RORY CARVER, FORMER APPRENTICE (now regular singer with the Monteverdi Choir)
There is no upper or lower age limit for the Apprentices Programme, but applicants should be mindful of the fact that the Programme is aimed at musicians who have recently completed their studies and are intending to embark (or who have recently embarked) on a professional career.
Apprentices learn first-hand about the exacting demands and working practices of an internationally renowned ensemble. Periods of workshops elsewhere in the Apprentices Programme also culminate in showcase performances to industry professionals, family and supporters to prepare Apprentices for marketing themselves in their burgeoning careers.
“The Apprentices Programme has dictated the direction of my career. When I applied, I was working part-time in a field unrelated to music. It is because I was fortunate enough to be on this scheme that I am now working full-time as a singer. I imagine that the apprenticeship has had, and will continue to have, a hand in everything I do for the foreseeable future.”
23-25AuditionsNovember 2022
BERLIOZ project with the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique 27 June, 5-6, 11, 18-27, 31 August, 1-3 September 2023
London Workshops 22-24 February 2024
BRAHMS project with the Orchestre Révolutionniare et Romantique 25 February-3 March 2024
London Workshops 11-12 October 2023
Workshops at Springhead Trust 29 March 2023 - 1 April 2023
London Workshops and Recital 4-8 December 2023
2-4WorkshopsAugust 2023
London Workshops and Recital 15-18 April 2024 (tbc)
28-30WorkshopsJune 2023
J.S. BACH B Minor Mass 2-18, 24 April 2023
We aim to appoint up to eight choral Apprentices for 2023/24, who will take part in several projects with the Monteverdi Choir, alongside our two orchestras, the English Baroque Soloists and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique. Exactly which performances Apprentices undertake will be decided once appointed, but Apprentices will be called for the following periods:
MONTEVERDI APPRENTICES | 6
Observe Christmas Oratorio rehearsal [optional] 26 November 2022
HANDEL project with the English Baroque Soloists 13, 15-16, 30-31 October 2023
DATESPROJECTS
REMUNERATION
Apprenticescovered.
In addition to ad hoc feedback during workshops and rehearsals, verbal and written feedback will be provided on a regular and ongoing basis from mentors and John Eliot Gardiner. At the end of the year, Apprentices will be asked to write a brief report on their experience and they will be considered for further professional engagements by the Monteverdi Choir.
are always very welcome to observe rehearsals for projects in which they are not taking part – further details will be provided to successful applicants.
7 | MONTEVERDI APPRENTICES
2018/19 Apprentices in Handel: Semele 2019 - Photos credit: Alexandra Palace
FEEDBACK
All touring expenses (travel, accommodation and per diems) outside of the UK will be covered. Apprentices will be paid a half-fee for each concert project in which they participate (including associated rehearsals), as well as any additional broadcast, recording, streaming fees, etc. Singers who are not London-based must note that, unfortunately, any expenses incurred in travelling to and staying in London for rehearsals and concerts cannot be
• Separately, please arrange for a reference from a current teacher, conductor or director to be sent.
Step 2 - Supporting Materials:
Step 1 - Application Form:
• A recent audio recording (with optional video) of no more than 5 minutes in length, of you singing a solo piece relevant to the work of the Monteverdi Choir. We do not expect high quality audio (a smart phone voice note would be perfectly adequate), but your submission should represent your ability as faithfully as possible. Details of our past, present and future projects are on our website: www.monteverdi. co.uk. If this is a barrier to you making an application, please contact us. Please name the file in the format: Last name, first name – Recording
Please fill in our simple online Application Form on Google Forms (you do not need a Google account): https://forms.gle/K11yJHWsfRx1gsFB7
Please ensure that you are available for the audition dates and projects listed above before making your application.
The Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras Limited is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees, and we do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply for the Monteverdi Apprentices Programme.
• Completed MCO Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form: click here
Please email copies of the following items, or provide links (via OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, YouTube etc.) to auditions@monteverdi.org.uk with the subject line “Monteverdi Apprentices Application”:
• A single page CV, detailing any relevant musical experience. Please name the file in the format: Last name, first name - CV
Applications close at 10:00am on Monday 31 October 2022
HOW TO APPLY
MONTEVERDI APPRENTICES | 6
AUDITIONS
After an initial selection based on an assessment of recordings, CVs and references, we will inform successful applicants if they have been shortlisted for the first round of auditions. We regret that it is not possible to acknowledge all applications, and only successful applicants will be contacted once the deadline has passed.
• First round auditions will take place in central London on 23-24 November from 10am-6pm.
• Second round auditions will take place in central London on 25 November from 1-9pm.
WHAT NEXT?
An accompanist will be provided. Applicants should note that the accompanying instrument will be a grand piano tuned to A440, or a clavinova for repertoire at Baroque pitch.
• That between them cover at least two different historical periods, one of which must be Baroque
Please prepare three pieces:
• That cover two different languages, neither of which is in your first language
Please be prepared to speak briefly about why you are applying and what you hope to get out of the Apprentices Programme.
CONTACT US 9 | MONTEVERDI APPRENTICES
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
You may only be asked to sing two of these.
The panel for both rounds of auditions will be singers from the Monteverdi Choir, with John Eliot Gardiner joining for the second round.
Should you require any further information, please email Andrew Softley: auditions@monteverdi.org.uk. If any of the requirements above represent a barrier for you, and you would like to discuss this further, please also contact Andrew for a confidential discussion.
YEAR IN
A THE LIFE OF
A MONTEVERDI
TIMELINE TAKEN FROM OUR 2018/19 CHORAL COHORT MONTEVERDI APPRENTICES | 10
11| MONTEVERDI APPRENTICES MONTEVERDI CHORAL APPRENTICE
MONTEVERDI CHOIR & ORCHESTRAS www.monteverdi.co.uk +44 (0)20 7719 CanaryLevelFindinfo@monteverdi.org.uk0120usonsocialmedia12,20BankStreet,Wharf,LondonE144AD, UK Registered charity 272279 Company registered in England & Wales 01277513 Front cover image: Handel - Semele: A Bofill
