Bridging the what…?

Starting out on a professional career as a musician is both thrilling and terrifying. Taking the step between music college or university and self-employment might seem daunting, but there’s no doubt that the advice and support of established professionals can help to make the process smoother, more enjoyable and more rewarding.

Bridging the Gap is our platform for early-career musicians. It’s designed to help foster young talent, allowing singers and instrumentalists to consolidate existing skills and acquire new ones as they begin their journey on the path from young performer to fully fledged professional.

How does it work?

Selected by open audition each year, up to four young musicians will perform alongside and be mentored by Dunedin’s regular cast of performers. The scheme offers a unique opportunity to tour with our internationally renowned musicians and to gain from their expertise, and to learn from a variety of performance and development opportunities throughout the year.

This initiative is part of our commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians, providing them with a unique opportunity to grow and develop on the path to a professional career.

Who can apply?

Dunedin Consort are looking for singers of all voice types who are keen to develop their experience of professional ensemble singing. Eligible participants must be based in Scotland and aged between 21-28 at the time of applying. If you are accepted onto the scheme, you must be available to join Dunedin Consort in Scotland between 2-7 November 2020.

How to apply?

Applications for the 2020-21 Bridging the Gap scheme are now being accepted, and the deadline for receiving applications is 5pm on Friday 21 August 2020.

To apply for the scheme, you will need to provide:

• A covering letter no longer than 500 words, explaining why you would like to be involved in the scheme and how you think it might benefit you.
• A single page C.V. detailing your relevant experience.
• An audio or video link of you singing a solo work from the 17th or 18th century, no longer than 5 minutes in duration.
• A completed diversity questionnaire.

These can be uploaded online, by following the Apply Now and Diversity Questionnaire links at the top of this page.

If you have any further questions, or if you have a disability that prevents you from following the application process as described above, please do not hesitate to contact Lucia, the Learning & Participation Manager for Dunedin Consort at lucia@dunedin-consort.org.uk.

What happens next?

Applicants will be notified about the outcome of their application by Tuesday 25 August. If you are successful you will be invited to an audition in Edinburgh or Glasgow during the week beginning Monday 14 September 2020.

If you are shortlisted for an audition, you will be asked to prepare two contrasting pieces, at least one of which should be a solo excerpt from a Bach Passion or the Christmas Oratorio. You will also be asked to prepare a short set piece, which we will send to you in advance. During the audition you will be given a short piece of sight-reading, to be sung alongside two other singers.

A piano accompanist will be provided on the day.

Up to four singers will be chosen to be part of the 2020-21 Bridging the Gap scheme. As part of the scheme you will be invited to join Dunedin Consort – as a paid professional – for our a cappella choral tour directed by Nicholas Mulroy between 2-7 November 2020. Participants will also be offered a range of performance and development opportunities throughout 2020-21.

Covid-19

The safety of our applicants and staff is our highest priority. We are planning to hold our auditions in person, strictly following social distancing rules, in September. However, if this proves impossible, we have contingency plans in place to offer alternative means of auditioning if necessary. We will update all applicants on any changes once shortlisting is completed.

We sincerely hope that the Covid-19 pandemic will not prevent our 2020-21 Bridging the Gap programme taking place as planned. However, in the event that Covid-19 restrictions prevent us from delivering any part of the scheme, we will ensure an equivalent opportunity is offered, or will rearrange the opportunity for a later date.