University News Last updated 02 December 2019
Today, Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Opera House launch Opera Nation, a free programme to develop the next generation of opera singers in the West Midlands region.
Opera Nation is a free talent pipeline programme for young people aged 14 to 18.
The programme seeks to discover the next generation of opera singers through a series of workshops, residential courses and professional support to establish a long-lasting talent development structure in the region.
Opera Nation opens with a series of free workshops in December 2019 and January 2020. Any passionate young singer can apply.
The sessions begin on Monday 9 December in Walsall (from 6pm to 9pm). Young people aged 14 to 18 can sign up for one of 300 free places (60 per workshop). There will also be sessions in Dudley (14 January, 6pm to 9pm), Worcester (20 January, 6pm to 9pm), Birmingham (22 January, 6pm to 9pm) and Coventry (21 January, 6pm to 9pm).
The workshops will see professional musicians from the Royal Opera House and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire – part of Birmingham City University – nurture the young people’s stagecraft skills, as well as their vocal and musical talents. Following the workshops, 60 students will be selected to attend a residential course, before a final 30 are selected to begin a programme that offers up to four years of professional mentoring, training and support.
The new four-year initiative is a joint venture conceived by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) and the Royal Opera House (ROH). It is the first programme of its kind in the Midlands and offers aspiring young opera singers a sustained investment into their musical journey and a path into professional training. The RBC and ROH will also work with schools and music services to target talented young people who require mentoring and professional support in order to allow them to pursue careers in music.
Young people aged 14 to 18 can sign up to a free Opera Nation workshop visit operanation.eventbrite.co.uk