Festival launches Young Singers’ Masterclass
Photo caption: Young singers are being encouraged to take part in a Festival first |
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Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer have announced the launch of a new event. The Elgar Festival – which will take place from Saturday 24 May until Sunday 1 June next year – is inviting singers aged between 18 and 25 years to join its first ever Young Singers’ Masterclass. Held at the birthplace of Elgar at The Firs in Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, the event will take place on Tuesday 27 May 2025. Six young singers will be selected by audition to work with renowned American soprano April Fredrick and the Festival’s Composer in Residence Ian Venables, with accompanists Elizabeth Haughan and Rebecca Watson, to perform an English Song repertoire of their choice. The session – which will take place in the morning – will involve individual coaching, feedback and advice; after lunch all six students will perform in a more formal concert setting. Kenneth Woods, Artistic Director of The Elgar Festival said: “We are delighted to launch our inaugural Young Singers Masterclass as part of the 2025 Festival. Encouraging the next generation of singers to help us celebrate the life and works of Worcestershire’s most famous composer adds a new and exciting element to the Festival as well as highlighting the talent of these future singers. We look forward to receiving entries!” Both sessions are open to the public, offering an opportunity to learn and be inspired in the setting of Elgar’s birthplace; the event is free. To apply, please send a short covering letter and video audition of the song you wish to work on to: singforjoy@gmail.com. Repertoire should be chosen from the works of either Elgar, Ian Venables or an English Song composer of their choice. The closing date for applications is Friday 4 April 2025; successful applicants will be notified by Friday 18 April and all piano parts and vocal scores must be submitted by Friday 25 April. Themed ‘Celebrate with Elgar’, next year’s festival will bring together world class professional musicians and artists alongside local choirs and ensembles placing the music of Worcester’s most famous son alongside that of his contemporaries and some of today’s leading composers and arrangers. Set in the composer’s hometown and surrounding areas over the week closest to Elgar’s birthday on 2nd June, the festival is an annual celebration of Elgar’s music spanning symphonic and string orchestra concerts by the resident English Symphony Orchestra, along with chamber concerts, choral concerts, Come and Play Day, recitals, workshops, masterclasses, street performances, a young composers competition, exhibits, tours and talks. Venues next year include Worcester Cathedral, Royal Porcelain Works, The Guildhall, Malvern Priory, Pershore Abbey, St Martin’s London Road, All Saints Deansway, St George’s Barbourne, St Martin in the Cornmarket, Elgar’s Birthplace The Firs, Huntingdon Hall, St Wulstan’s at Little Malvern, St George’s RC Church and Piston Distillery. Since its inauguration in 2018, when it was a Critic’s Pick in both The Guardian and The Times, the festival has doubled in size and scale and continues to grow annually through an innovative development programme of appealing and accessible events, working with hundreds of both internationally renowned professional artists and amateur musicians and performers of all ages to ensure Elgar really is for everyone.
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