Conducting Fellows

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Conducting Fellowships 2025 will offer two aspiring conductors the opportunity to immerse themselves in choral/orchestral repertoire for 12 months, mentored by experienced conducting professionals and learning to lead rehearsals and prepare for performances.

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs has become a central feature of Sydney’s cultural landscape, performing concerts, advocating for choral singing, and commissioning composers for over 100 years. SPC is a Resident Company at the Sydney Opera House, long-term Chorus for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, as well as running its own self-promoted concert series every year. These Fellowships present an invaluable opportunity for two conductors to immerse themselves in this rich musical landscape, at the forefront of classical music-making in this country and to be guided by recognised figures in the industry.

DETAILS

The annual musical program will be divided between the two successful candidates, allowing them the opportunity to engage in a range of projects including Sydney Philharmonia-promoted concerts, commercial projects and SSO collaborations. There will only be one Conducting Fellow on any one project. They will be expected to attend all the rehearsals and performances for each project, generally meaning 1-2 evening rehearsals per week until performance week, and additional rehearsals and performances during performance weeks.

The Conducting Fellows will receive mentoring from:

Artistic & Music Director – Brett Weymark OAM
Associate Music Director – Dr Elizabeth Scott
Assistant Chorus Master & Principal Repetiteur – Tim Cunniffe

Place of work

• SPC’s offices and rehearsal studio are situated at: Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Dawes Point, Sydney, NSW 2000
• Rehearsals are at our Choirs Rehearsal Studio at Walsh Bay, or at other central Sydney venues
• Performances are at the Sydney Opera House, or other Sydney venues (occasionally there will be additional performances outside of Sydney for which appropriate expenses will be covered)

Fellowship Bursaries

Each Conducting Fellow will receive a bursary of $15,000 in 3x $5,000 instalments:
1st February                $5,000
1st July                         $5,000
1st December              $5,000

Responsibilities

The Conducting Fellows will begin the year by attending and following rehearsals by Sydney Philharmonia’s Music Staff.  The Fellows will be given increased opportunity to take parts of rehearsals as the year progresses, as well as sectional rehearsals.  During the year the Conducting Fellows should expect to:

• Attend all the rehearsals for the projects they are assigned to
• Prepare all the music for the projects that they are assigned to
• Be ready to take rehearsals or sectional rehearsals
• Assist the SPC Music Staff in connection to their projects
• Assist with the preparation of teaching materials (teaching guides etc.) when required
• Attend, play for and occasionally lead Chorus warm-up sessions
• Act as Assistant to the Conductor when in performance week (i.e. checking for balance/score preparation/bowings etc)
• Occasional attendance at Music Staff meetings (as required)

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs will provide:

• Mentoring and support from the Music Staff
• Opportunities to rehearse SPC Choruses
• Music from all the SPC programs during the year
• A Fellowship bursary of $15,000

Applicants:

• Must be eligible to work in Australia
• Must be able to regularly attend rehearsals and performances in Sydney for the calendar year 2025
• Must pass a NSW Working with Children Check
• Must be prepared to lead choir rehearsals
• Should have basic piano skills (i.e. able to take a choir warm-up from the piano)

Sydney Philharmonia music staff: Tim Cunniffe, Brett Weymark OAM, Dr Elizabeth Scott

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide, no later than midnight on Friday, 22 November 2024:

• a one page (A4) letter setting out why you are motivated by this opportunity
• your CV
• an audio-visual recording of you conducting a rehearsal/performance of any music ensemble

These should be sent by email to [email protected].

AUDITION/INTERVIEW

Shortlisted applicants will be asked for an interview, and to lead part of a rehearsal with SPC Choristers.

TIMELINE

Application Deadline:              Midnight, Friday, 22 November 2024
Interviews:                                 Friday, 6 December 2024*
Audition with choir:                 18:30-20:30, Tuesday, 17 December 2024+
Fellowship start:                       Tuesday, 28 January 2025

*Interviews & auditions will take place at our Rehearsal Studio, Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Dawes Point (Sydney)   NSW   2000.

+Repertoire TBC