Opera North Young Voices (ages 12–15)

Term Time

The Opera North Young Voices (ONYV) provides young people aged 12–15 with exciting opportunities to further their musical education and talent through the support of a professional opera company.

The group offers a perfect transition between the Children’s Chorus and the Youth Chorus and continues to provide expert training to enable young people to perfect their vocal technique, musicianship, and drama skills. Boys are offered specialist support during their voice change with separate sessions aimed specifically at their needs in addition to the full rehearsals.

Members receive training and guidance from experienced choral leaders and have the opportunity to work with professional directors and movement specialists to develop skills in drama and stagecraft.

Young Voices perform throughout the year both locally and nationally, often alongside the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North and other professional artists. Young Voices is proud to have performed at the Aldeburgh Festival, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Square Chapel Arts Centre, and Dewsbury Town Hall. Repertoire includes both secular and sacred music, from a variety of genres, with a particular focus on classical music/opera.

Price

£71 per term (from Sep 2024). Financial assistance available

Venue

Howard Opera Centre

Times
Thursdays, 6-8pm during term time

Auditions
To join our waiting list and keep up to date with our latest audition dates, please register your interested here

Any questions?
Please contact youthcompany@operanorth.co.uk

How to join

Auditions for Young Voices take place annually in the summer and are open to all singers aged 12-15 years (including those aged 11 who are turning 12 in the next academic year).

We are looking for young people who are passionate about singing and performing, and who are committed to exploring new and exciting ways to tell stories and developing key performance skills. No prior knowledge of opera is necessary, and we welcome applications from singers of all levels.

Audition process:
Auditions are split into two parts: 10-minute solo vocal slot and a 20-minute group drama session. Please prepare one song of your own choice (unaccompanied or piano accompaniment). This can be of any style but should be something you are passionate about, and which shows off your voice. Max 3 minutes.

The audition panel will also ask you to do a few vocal exercises to test your range and musicianship.

Next audition dates (to join Sep 2024):
Wed 10 July
Wed 17 July

Book your audition

*Please note that we are now running a waiting list for Youth Chorus and Young Voices auditions as we have reached our current capacity. We are still accepting online auditions.