Auditions for Baroque Oratorio Project: Odes to St Cecilia

CALL TO AUDITION  

Benslow Music invites advanced singers to audition for solo roles in our renowned Baroque Oratorio Project in April 2027.

The Baroque Oratorio/Opera Project is an annual tradition at Benslow Music. Each April, the massed forces of chorus, orchestra and soloists come together and, over the course of 5 days, piece together treasured works from this much-loved and often surprising repertoire. Starting from scratch, the course culminates in a public performance on the final evening. 

In 2027, we explore late 17th-century English music written to mark St Cecilia’s Day (22 November) as patron saint of music. A number of celebrated English composers were invited to write odes to be performed at large concerts at Stationers’ Hall in London. You'll step into the world of Henry Purcell and John Blow with a mixture of grand and intimate works, including Blow's 1691 ode, The Glorious Day is Come. 

Led by returning music director, Fernando Miguel Jalôto, and a team of baroque specialist tutors, you’ll have the opportunity to deeply explore these works. You’ll gain insight into their history, harmonic language, stylistic interpretation and ornamentation suitable to the works’ context, all while working together as a performing ensemble. 

The performance will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 10 April. 

AUDITIONS FOR

2 sopranos

2 alto/countertenor

1 tenor

1 baritone/bass

REPERTOIRE

John Blow Ode for St Cecilia's Day 'The Glorious Day is Come'
Henry Purcell Te Deum and Jubilate, Z 232
Other repertoire will be confirmed nearer the time. 

Supported by Benslow Music’s bursary scheme, successful auditionees will be offered a full bursary to cover their tuition, lodging and place on this prestigious course. 

Please note, successful singers should be off-book by the start of the project. 

HOW TO APPLY

AUDITION DEADLINE: Fri 11 December

To apply, please email the following to courses@benslowmusic.org (please use WeTransfer links for video files):

YOUR CV/BIOGRAPHY, detailing your studies and any professional experience. 

A VIDEO (3 minutes maximum) of yourself telling us why you would like to take part in this project.

A VIDEO recording of yourself performing an aria or song in English by Henry Purcell or one of his contemporaries. 

A VIDEO recording of yourself performing a second aria from any Baroque composer in any language, and in a different style and character than the English piece.