SUPPORTING YOUNG SINGERS
Yorkshire Bach Choir Choral Scholarships
The 12-month scholarships is open to all four voice parts and to any singer registered at a University or in higher education. Applications for scholarships for 2024-2025 will open at the start of the 45th season.
Applicants should be enthusiastic and promising choral singers who can commit to all YBC rehearsals and concerts. We rehearse mainly during University of York term / semester times on Friday evenings between 7-pm-9.30pm at the Music buildings, School of Creative Arts and Technologies, University of York and for around 30 weeks per year.
Benefits of being a choral scholar:
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Performance opportunities: As a part of the choir you will take part in our full concert series and have the opportunity to sing in our wide range of choral repertoire
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Solo opportunities: As a part of the choir you may have the opportunity to take on challenging step-out solos collaborating with our conductor and the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists
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Financial support: We understand that being at University and finding the time for activities often requires financial support. That's why YBC provides £500 (to be paid in 2 instalments, one in December and one in June) to each choral scholar, ensuring that your focus remains on your musical journey.
Application Details
As part of the audition process we are looking for a promising, well-produced voice that can blend with the current group of singers. As a singer, you should demonstrate the potential to contribute to the choir’s core standards of high performance of choral music in a historically-informed style.
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To apply please complete our online application form.
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What you need to provide as part of your application:
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A choral / singing CV (1 page only describing your experience as a singer)
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1 x short audio / video recordings of you singing some Western classical repertoire (song or aria)
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What will be required at an in-person audition:
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You will be asked for 1 or 2 songs of prepared music from the Western classical repertoire which ideally should include some 17th or 18th century music repertoire (song or aria)
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Your vocal range will be gauged
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If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to email our conductor peter.seymour@york.ac.uk.
Meet the young singers we have already supported
Our support to young singers began in 2009 when the choir began awarding bursaries each year to students to encourage their musical development. These previous awards were called the YBC Celia Burgan Bursary in acknowledgement of the generous financial support given to YBC over a number of years by the late Mrs Celia M Burgan.
Fabienne Brooksbank
2009
I am grateful to YBC and its sponsors, the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, for the generous bursary of £450 which I have used to pay for singing lessons at university. The lessons have been invaluable in helping me develop an understanding of performance styles, as well as advancing my singing technique.
Jonathan Hanley
2013
This funding meant that I was able to pursue another great passion whilst at university. Singing lessons have not only prepared me for 'step-out' solos with the choir, but also expanded my repertoire and singing technique as well as enabling me to appear as a soloist for other choirs around the country.
Sarah Holland
2013
As a result of being granted this award, I have been exposed to invaluable training and experience. Thanks to this and the regular performance opportunities within the choir, I believe I have improved as a performer, and also as an interpreter of music overall.
Katarzyna Slawski
2014
In my third year of my undergraduate Accounting studies I chose an elective module in Performance, and through the generosity of this Bursary I could fund my music lessons in order to prepare for my recital. Taking this module led me to then do an MA in Performance Practice, which is a year the I will never forget.
Saul Jones
2014
I worked closely with Ed Ingham, who helped me develop as a bass. Having the bursary support meant I enjoyed a great deal of freedom of choice of what music we explored in my singing lessons. This has helped me to start performing as a soloist whilst continuing my studies at Cambridge.
Maddy Power
2014
I benefited immensely from the vocal lessons funded by the Yorkshire Bach Choir Tuition Bursary. Regular lessons helped me to improve my vocal technique and language skills, boosted my confidence and allowed me to play a greater role in the Yorkshire Bach Choir. I am very grateful for the opportunity.
Richard Bracknell
2015
The tuition I received courtesy of the Celia Burgan Bursary helped me make significant progress in choral singing. Edd Ingham’s technical and interpretative insights supported my development as a choral scholar at St Wilfrid’s Church, which led to my appointment as a choral scholar at Bradford Cathedral.
Sophie Collerton
2016
I undertook singing lessons with Yvonne Seymour, who completely transformed my voice and allowed me to develop into a dependable member of YBC. Through the generosity of the YBC Celia Burgan Bursary, I was able to continue with these singing lessons into the final year of my undergraduate degree.
Molly Garrett
2019 & 2020
As a non-music student, I do not qualify for free vocal tuition. Following my successful application for the Celia Burgan bursary last year, I have found that the lessons have continued to fuel my development as a singer, whilst massively improving the ways in which I am able to prepare for rehearsals and concerts.
Helen Tudor
2020
Although I have had music lessons in the past, I have never had a singing lesson. Since I study Natural Sciences, I am not eligible for funded lessons. I am glad to have the opportunity to sing with YBC. It is the smallest choir I have sung in. I feel it will give me more confidence holding my own on my part.
Bethan Kelly
2020
Singing has become an increasingly important part of my life. Although a first study violinist, singing is just as important and enjoyable to me. I find the positive feeling you can gain from singing with a group of people is unparalleled. YBC has been a fantastic opportunity for singing some new and interesting repertoire.
Cerys Griffiths
2023
I have learned so much about choral singing and musicianship in general since joining YBC two years ago. Gaining the choral scholarship this year has been an honour and really helped with my musical studies at York.
Victoria Brain
2023
Victoria Brain.
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Megan Richardson
2023
Megan Richardson.