HIT THE HIGH NOTES

Over the coming months, Opera North will inspire and develop the next generation of musicians through a range of weekly sessions, orchestral academies and one-off creative workshops, offering progression pathways for both singers and instrument players from primary school through to university as part of the Opera North Young Performers Programme.

Young instrumentalists aged from 10 to 21 years can benefit from working with professional conductors, directors, singers, and orchestral members through the Opera North Youth Orchestral Programme. For school-aged musicians who are playing at Grades 4 to 8, Opera North’s Orchestral Academies for strings, woodwind, brass and percussion are held in the school holidays throughout the year. An audition is not required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to explore new repertoire.

The week-long Opera North Summer Orchestra Academy is held during the summer holidays and is designed for young people who are already in their local youth orchestra and are playing at Grade 7 and above. Taking place from 22-27 August this year, it provides inspirational orchestral training in a friendly, supportive environment. There are opportunities to perfect ensemble skills and musicianship, rehearse operatic and other repertoire with soloists from Opera North, and to play side by side with the professional musicians of the Orchestra of Opera North. A residential option is also available to ensure that young people have the chance to attend wherever they live in the UK. Auditions for this year’s Academy will take place in Leeds on Sunday 22 May.

The Opera North Youth Orchestra fills the gap between secondary school and entering the music profession. Rehearsals are held every other Sunday during term-time with career-minded instrumentalists given a unique chance to gain a valuable insight into the realities of playing at a professional level. Rehearsing in the same space as the Orchestra of Opera North, participants get to tackle challenging repertoire with professional orchestral conductors and benefit from mentoring by Opera North’s musicians and creative teams. Open to all talented instrumentalists looking to take their playing to the next level, entry is by audition only.

Young vocalists are encouraged to audition for the Opera North Youth Company. Open to anyone from 8 years up, Opera North Children’s Chorus is the first step for primary-aged singers, followed by Opera North Young Voices and finally Opera North Youth Chorus for 16 to 21-year-olds which includes the chance to perform and tour in a summer production.

All three choirs will take part in a special Spring Concert on Saturday 26 March in the Howard Assembly Room, and the Youth Company recently performed the children’s opera Brundibár both in Leeds and at Sage Gateshead.

Entry to the Opera North Youth Company, the Opera North Summer Orchestra Academy and the Opera North Youth Orchestra is by audition. These are made as welcoming and relaxed as possible to give every young person a chance to perform at their best. This year, the ones for the Academy and Orchestra will be held in the Howard Opera Centre on Sunday 22 May, with those for the Youth Company scheduled for June and July. Anyone wishing to attend an audition is asked to register their interest online by Monday 2 May.

Apply to audition by: Mon 2 May
Book: operanorth.co.uk/whats-on/opera-north-orchestra-academy/