SUPPORTING YOUNG SINGERS
Yorkshire Bach Choir Choral Scholarships
Due to a last minute rush of applications YBC will now have a second round of applications for our choral scholarship scheme until midday on Monday 13 November. There is one remaining scholarship place open.
The 12-month scholarships is open to all four voice parts and to any singer registered at a University or in higher education.
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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Deadline for applications: 12 noon, Monday 13 November 2023
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Auditions from the second round of applications will be held in mid-November.
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
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.
Katarzyna Slawski
2014
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.
Jonathan Hanley
2013
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.
Saul Jones
2014
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.
Sarah Holland
2013
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.
Maddy Power
2014
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
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
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 Garratt
2019 & 2020
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
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
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.