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Southbank Sinfonia - Audition Application Pack for 2010

We very much hope you will consider applying to become a member of Southbank Sinfonia in 2010.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 16 September 2009.

2009 Concert Diary and Brochure

In addition to the information below, you will need the following documents
(please click on the links below):

- Application form
- Details of audition requirements


CALL FOR APPLICATIONS TO SOUTHBANK SINFONIA

Recent music graduates are invited to apply to join Southbank Sinfonia (SbS). Unique in Europe, SbS is Britain's orchestra of young professionals and the country's leading orchestral academy.

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA - WHAT WE OFFER

  • An intensive 8-month programme of performance and professional development
  • Gain the advantage of a springboard into the music profession
  • Experience an unrivalled variety of repertoire and activity. No other orchestra or orchestral academy offers SbS's range of opportunities and experience:
    • Public concerts, education work, chamber music, concerto opportunities; instrumental and orchestral coaching from soloists, directors and specialists in fields from opera to contemporary music; recording under 'session' conditions; personal coaching in areas from improvisation to public speaking; working with some 20 conductors
    • Opera and ballet, core classical, Baroque, contemporary and light music
  • Learn from the best:
      SbS is not allied to just one orchestra, it has major partnerships with several leading orchestras and arts organisations. Practise and perform alongside members of:
        Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, BBC Concert Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
  • Perform and be coached by internationally-acclaimed artists. In 2009 these include:
      Tasmin Little (violin), Philip Dukes (viola), Raphael Wallfisch (cello),Philippa Davies (flute), Michael Collins (clarinet)
  • Make valuable contacts across the London music scene. Working closely with so many leading orchestras and artists provides invaluable contacts and networking opportunities in the music business.
  • Receive a bursary to pay for basic living expenses during the programme

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA IN 2010

Projects planned for 2010 include:

  • Side-by-side projects with members of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, BBC Concert Orchestra, London Sinfonietta and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
  • Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts an all-English programme
  • 10-day Italian festival in the Tuscan hill-town of Anghiari
  • Chamber music showcase at Wigmore Hall, London
  • Concert and Festival appearances across the UK

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA - WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

'The big pleasure of this night [at the Royal Opera House] rests with Southbank Sinfonia, a dashing ensemble of recent conservatoire graduates [who] plunge with exhilarating fizz, exactness and stamina into Ades's wicked and complex music.'
THE TIMES

'In terms of musicianship and commitment, Southbank Sinfonia has nothing to fear in comparison with more well-known international bands.'
INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW

'The National Theatre's production of Tom Stoppard & Andre Previn's 'Every Good Boy Deserves Favour' is richly alive thanks to the presence of Southbank Sinfonia.'
THE TIMES

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA - WHAT PAST PLAYERS SAY

Amelia Jacobs, SbS 3
Southbank Sinfonia was an amazing experience for me. There is nothing like it. I feel hugely grateful for all the different opportunities, the whole package; not just the playing, but the repertoire you learn, and above all the supportive environment and the contacts you make. This is all leading on to other things and wherever I go I find connections I made at SbS. The professional music world seems so much smaller - in a positive sense - as a result.

Stephen Burke, SbS 4
I tried to push the boundaries but there didn't seem to be any! There was such a feeling of collective experimentation and creativity and a real personal involvement and passion. Every piece felt like a world premiere!'

Dan Shilladay, SbS 6
Southbank Sinfonia has given me an unparalleled breadth of skills and confidence that I will use throughout my career.'

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA - WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Southbank Sinfonia 2010 will run from late January to early October, with periods of time off. During this time, each player will receive a £6,300 bursary to cover basic living expenses. There may also be further opportunities for paid work outside the main bursary period.

Each week the orchestra has sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These include orchestral and sectional rehearsals, coaching, professional development sessions, education workshops and concerts. In most weeks there is a Thursday evening Rush Hour Concert.

Performances also take place in venues around the country on a good number of Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays over the season. The dates for these concerts will be available before the programme starts. We aim to keep Monday as a day off wherever possible.

The programme requires full-time attendance. However, we are aware that you are at a vital stage in your career and opportunities to trial with major orchestras may clash. As the development of your career is central to our aims, we will do our best to release you from your commitments with Southbank Sinfonia on such occasions.

Application procedure

After reading all the information, if you wish to apply to be a member of Southbank Sinfonia in 2010, please complete the application form and return with the following additional information:

  • Covering letter
  • Your CV tailored to the needs of SbS. In addition to your education and training, we'd like to read about your professional work, your involvement in chamber and orchestral performances, any unusual projects you've been a part of and details of when you've been proactive in developing your career
  • A recent photograph - if sending this by email, please alter the resolution so that the file size is less than 1MB, preferably smaller

If you are invited to audition, you would be asked to perform a set piece and a short contrasting piece of your choice (for which we can provide an accompanist if required), prepared excerpts and some sight reading. Details of the set piece are available here - Audition Requirements. The required excerpts will be sent out to successful candidates once we have shortlisted for the auditions.

The second round is by interview only (no playing). This provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate why Southbank Sinfonia would be of particular benefit to you and what you have to offer the programme. The auditions and interviews will take place in London at St John's Church on Waterloo Road.

We have the following full-time positions available: violin, viola, 'cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet and percussion. However, we are always interested to receive CVs from other instrumentalists for consideration for extra work.

Timetable

The deadline for receipt of applications is 16 September 2009.
We are strictly unable to accept any applications which arrive at the SbS office after this deadline.

Auditions & Interviews (see separate document for dates and requirements)

Please let us know in your covering letter if any of these dates would be difficult for you, were you to be selected for audition / interview.

Please email the information requested (covering letter, completed application form, CV and lo-res photograph) to:

auditions@southbanksinfonia.co.uk

or post to
Jan Smith, Projects & Administration Manager
Southbank Sinfonia, St John's Waterloo, Waterloo Road, LONDON, SE1 8TY

We would prefer to receive applications by email.

For more information email auditions@southbanksinfonia.co.uk or call 020 7921 0370.