PRESS RELEASE
Genesis Sixteen: the UK’s first fully-funded choral training programme for young singers

GENESIS SIXTEEN is the first programme for young singers, aged 18 to 23, designed to provide vocal training specific to future professional work in consorts and choirs.  A unique partnership between The Sixteen and the Genesis Foundation means that participants will receive a bursary for all travel, accommodation and board costs while participating on the scheme’s four annual courses around the UK.

HARRY CHRISTOPHERS, Founder and Director of The Sixteen said:

“One of the traditional paths into the professional choral singing world is through Oxbridge choral scholarships and I am conscious that we might be missing out on talented young singers who do not wish to go down the music conservatoire route, with its emphasis on solo and operatic careers.  We want to afford the opportunity to all to train at the highest level, and bridge the gap between student and professional singing.  We are delighted that the generosity of the Genesis Foundation has made this possible.”

JOHN STUDZINSKI, Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Foundation said:

“The Genesis Foundation has worked with Harry Christophers and The Sixteen over many years and it has been one of our key collaborations and partnerships.   I am delighted that we can further support the work of Harry and The Sixteen with GENESIS SIXTEEN as nurturing and supporting young talent is the reason for the Genesis Foundation’s existence.  We couldn’t hope for better partners than Harry and The Sixteen since they represent artistic excellence of the highest order.”

To apply to GENESIS SIXTEEN, singers will need to submit their CV to demonstrate experience of choral singing, along with a reference from their singing teacher.  The deadline for submissions is 9 February 2011.  After the initial round there will be auditions in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester during March / April 2011.  Further details available at: www.thesixteen.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

THE SIXTEEN is recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles. Comprising both choir and period-instrument orchestra, The Sixteen's total commitment to the music it performs is its greatest distinction. Its special reputation for performing early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance, bringing fresh insights into Baroque and early Classical music and a diversity of 20th Century music, is drawn from the passions of conductor and founder, HARRY CHRISTOPHERS.

THE GENESIS FOUNDATION is a UK-based charity, established in 2001 by John Studzinski. The aim of the Foundation is to nurture and develop emerging talents until they reach a point of sustainability. The charity supports outstanding professional artists in the early stages of their careers, preparing them to take flight independently. The focus of the Genesis Foundation is on helping inspirational young individuals in the fields of music, theatre, dance and the visual arts. The Foundation occasionally funds artists directly when commissioning works but, more often, supports them through its established partners: HighTide, LAMDA, the Royal College of Art, the Royal Court, The Sixteen and the Young Vic.

GENESIS SIXTEEN will train participating singers to fulfil all the basic principles of choral and consort singing, for example focusing on blend, ensemble and tuning and will make singers aware of listening to, and communicating with, each other, as well as communicating with the audience – an important skill not always inherent in British choral groups.  The courses will introduce singers to music from a variety of periods and work on them in a comprehensive and detailed manner.
Harry Christophers will lead the project along with Eamonn Dougan, Assistant Conductor of The Sixteen.  They will be joined by experienced members of The Sixteen including Sally Dunkley and Tim Jones.  There will be opportunities throughout the project for group and individual training in breath control and voice production by a leading singer teacher, who will look at both developing vocal technique and how to care for a professional voice, as well as language coaching by the best coaches available depending on the repertoire being worked on.

The programme will be aimed at 18-23 year olds on or before 1 September 2011. The choir will number between 22 and 26 singers.  The students will need to commit to a minimum of one year and, subject to annual review, may remain on the scheme for a maximum of three years.

After the initial selection made on the basis of submitted CVs and references, auditions will be undertaken by a panel which will always include either Harry Christophers (Conductor), Eamonn Dougan (Assistant Conductor), Sally Dunkley (soprano, member of The Sixteen) or Tim Jones (bass, member of The Sixteen).

The annual pattern of courses will consist of two full weeks and two long weekends and will take place in London, Manchester and Oxford.  For 2011/12 these are:

Course One: 29 August – 4 September 2011, National Opera Studio (London)
Course Two: 18 – 20 November 2011, The Bridgewater Hall (Manchester)
Course Three: 3 – 5  February 2012, venue tbc (London)
Course Four: 29 July – 4 August 2012, Magdalen College (Oxford)

For further information please contact PR and marketing agency Albion Media.