Apply for the Young Conductors Mentoring Scheme

About the Young Conductors Mentoring Scheme

The mentoring scheme will cover one programme season with CEFC - starting in September 2022 and finishing in July 2023.

Applications are invited from talented and committed musicians, aged between 18 and 35, from any background and with any level of training, who want to make conducting their career, especially those with an interest in conducting symphonic choirs.

The two successful applicants will have twice monthly mentoring sessions with the Crouch End Festival Chorus Music Director, David Temple, and have the opportunity to attend choir rehearsals and work with the choir management and accompanist.  

The scheme will allow young conductors to further their learning in three key areas:

1. Understanding the work of a choral music director, including
- Studying and preparing music before a rehearsal period begins
- Scheduling, planning and preparing for rehearsals
- Planning musical programmes, both for individual concerts and for seasons
- Working with orchestras, soloists and accompanists

2. Understanding the governance and management of a succesful symphonic chorus including
- A music organisation's structure and roles
- How to work with volunteers in a charitable organisation
- Budget planning and strategy development

3. Developing practical conducting skills by
- Study of the music at mentoring sessions with the music director, and individually
- Attending rehearsals and occasionally, where appropriate, taking over conducting for a scxetion of a rehearsal
- Receiving performance feedback and reflecting constructively on that feedback

The two sucessful candidates will be expected to produce a regular video blog to document their progress as conductors and to record the development of the scheme

David Temple and Crouch End Festival Chorus are based in Muswell Hill, London N10. The majority of in-person mentorship opportunities will take place in this area.  Crouch End Festival Chorus rehearsals are usually on Friday evenings in Muswell Hill. For those living outside of London, we will provide accommodation for overnight visits and a limited contribution towards travel costs.  

Individual mentoring sessions will be during weekdays via Zoom.

How to apply

To apply, eligible candidates should provide the following information to Paul Winter, scheme co-ordinator, via email ( paul.winter@cefc.org.uk ) by 23:59 on Friday 26 November 2021

1) Application form (link to application form)

2) Diversity and Inclusion monitoring form (link to D&I form)

3) Music CV

4) Links to two video clips supporting showcasing your conducting experience* 
i) a video of the candidate conducting a performance
ii) a video of the candidate rehearsing a choral and/or orchestral ensemble

*Videos should be filmed from in front of the candidate, showcasing your communication with the musicians you are conducting

(The preferred video submission is for applicants to provide a link to view the videos. If you are unable to do this, and would like to send the video file instead, please email Paul Winter to discuss first).

Due to the constraints of the pandemic restrictions, you may not have been able to make any videos of you conducting choirs in person. If this limits your ability to apply, please contact Paul Winter to discuss alternative methods to demonstrate your suitability for the scheme.

If you have any questions about the scheme or the application process, please contact Paul Winter by email. 

Shortlisting will occur in early December.  A small number of young musicians will then be invited to audition and interview in London on Saturday 8 January 2022 to select the two musicians for mentoring.