Emerging Voices
Open call for applications
The Marian Consort welcomes applications from composers for Emerging Voices 2024-25
The Marian Consort is delighted to launch Emerging Voices, a new talent development programme to support the next generation of composers of music for vocal ensemble.
Specifically designed to support those without any professional experience of choral writing, this season-long scheme will support three composers with a paid training programme, consisting of writing, workshop time and mentoring, including from award-winning British composer Laurence Osborn.
The Marian Consort is committed to building relationships with composers; so, within 3 years of completion of Emerging Voices, we will offer participants a subsequent paid commission.
About The Marian Consort
The Marian Consort is a vocal ensemble led by Artistic Director Rory McCleery. Our priorities are excellence in music-making through creative programming of early music; commissioning leading British composers to create new work; and pushing the boundaries of what our art form is to offer new ways into choral music. We’re heard in concert halls and at festivals across the UK, on radio and television, and on digital platforms, reaching 1.5 million people each year.
The Marian Consort is a leading commissioner and presenter of new music for vocal ensemble. In recent years we have presented world premieres of works by David Fennessy, Laurence Osborn, Dani Howard, Electra Perivolaris, Barbara Monk Feldman, Tom Coult and Roderick Williams at the likes of Wigmore Hall, Aldeburgh Festival and Brighton Festival.
“The Marian Consort are an exquisite vocal ensemble, and writing my first vocal work for them was a wonderful opportunity. They are such champions of music both old and new, and I know that so many composers have, and will benefit from their expertise and talents. It was a huge development opportunity for me, and I look forward to hearing the many more works they will commission and perform in the years to come. ”
What we offer
Three successful applicants will receive the following:
- £1,500 to support your commission, time and expenses.
- A commission to write a 3-4 minute work for The Marian Consort. We have no expectation of a public performance, allowing you maximum freedom to try out ideas and experiment.
- One-to-one mentoring time with our Artistic Director (writing for voices, programming) and Executive Director (industry, networking, funding), as well as suggestions of next steps, and key industry introductions.
- An initial 2-hour workshop with our singers and mentor composer, Laurence Osborn, to try out ideas.
- A subsequent 2-hour rehearsal to work on the finished commission and make any final changes.
- A filmed performance of your piece, free for you to send to commissioners, festivals, ensembles as you please.
- The opportunity to see The Marian Consort in action in rehearsals and complimentary tickets for concerts across the season.
- The offer of a subsequent paid commission from The Marian Consort within 3 years of completing Emerging Voices.
Timeline
November 2024: induction for successful applicants, and initial discussions about commissions
February 2025: workshop time with The Marian Consort and Laurence Osborn
March-April 2025: mentoring sessions with Artistic Director, Executive Director, Laurence Osborn
June 2025: rehearsal time and filming of completed commissions
July 2025: final wrap-up session and next steps
Throughout this period, composers will have the opportunity to attend rehearsals and concerts. Please note: mentoring sessions will be delivered online; workshops and rehearsals will take place in person in London.
Who are we looking to support?
We welcome applications from UK-based composers over the age of 18. We are seeking to support those without professional experience in writing for choirs, chorus or vocal ensemble, and so applicants should not have had a professional commission in this area, nor should they have taken part in similar training schemes for choral writing.
You, like us, will be passionate about choral music, and dedicated to developing the art form and practice through a broad range of repertoire and approaches. We are especially interested in seeing applications from composers who come from a background that is underrepresented in the world of professional classical music. Applicants should have the right to work in the UK.
How to apply
Applicants should send the following materials to emergingvoices@marianconsort.co.uk.
CV (no more than 2 pages)
A 250-word statement on why this opportunity is right for you
Two examples of your music (score and/or recording)
A completed Equal Opportunities monitoring form (download here)
Please also indicate if you have any time constraints on Tuesday 8 October, when we will invite selected applicants for a short interview.
You are welcome to submit your CV and statement in writing, or as a video or audio file. If you have any disability that prevents you from following the application process as described, please contact us to discuss suitable alternatives.
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 2 October, midday
Interviews: Tuesday 8 October (via Zoom)
All candidates will be notified of the outcome by Monday 14 October.
If you have any questions about the process, or would like an informal chat ahead of applying, please email our Executive Director, James Hardie (james@marianconsort.co.uk).
We look forward to hearing from you.
PS: this is our first year running this programme, so we’re staying flexible to the needs of our applicants and participants. If you have feedback, we’d love to hear it at emergingvoices@marianconsort.co.uk.
The Marian Consort is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner, supported by PPL