Auditions ensemble singers

• For our young talent programme, the Young Bach Fellowship (YBF), we are looking for ensemble singers (one soprano, one (low) alto/countertenor, one tenor, one bass)
• Applicants must be born after September 1^st 1991;
• Applicants must be resident in the Netherlands and should be eligible for a Dutch work permit that qualifies for payroll remuneration.

The Netherlands Bach Society is a professional Early Music ensemble best known for its exciting and inspired performances of 17^th and 18^th-century repertoire.  We give around 60 concerts a year throughout the Netherlands, Europe and the world.  Our All of Bach project, which features top-quality recordings of J.S. Bach’s works (via YouTube.com/Bach), has attracted millions of viewers throughout the world.

Artistic requirements:
• Professional singing training (completed or nearly completed studies)
• Good voice and technique
• Great interest in and experience with ensemble singing and repertoire
• Affinity with the music styles of the 17^th and 18^th century
• Quickness and flexibility
• Independent and expressive

Repertoire requirements:
1. One aria by J.S. Bach (see lists below, categorized by voice)
2. One aria of the applicant’s choosing, from the 17th or 18th century. The aria should be contrasting in character to the J.S. Bach aria above, preferably not in German and not by J.S. Bach.
3. Recitative (see list below)
4. J.S. Bach, BWV 106 (Actus Tragicus), 4^th movement (chorale), uit Allegro “durch Jesum Christum” (please prepare it in F major)
5. C. Monteverdi: Adoramus te Christe (please specify which voice you will sing)

The auditions will be accompanied by Siebe Henstra on organ (pitch A = 415 Hz).
The audition committee will be comprised of Michaela Riener (chair), Amelia Berridge, Joao Moreira, Matthew Baker (core singers of the Bachvereniging) and Béni Csillag.

How to apply:
1. Confirm your eligibility:
Non-Dutch EU citizens must be registered and pay taxes in The Netherlands.
Non-EU citizens: Please send a copy of your residence permit BEFORE applying.
All applicants must be free for the projects offered (see below).

2. Send an e-mail with your name, address, telephone number, nationality, date of birth, voice type, CV and a recent recording of an aria by Bach, by March 25^st  at the latest, to Hilde Van Ruymbeke via hilde.vanruymbeke@bachvereniging.nl.

Based on the recording and CV, a selection of applicants will be invited to the audition. Please contact Hilde for any inquiries you may have.

Arias per voice:
Soprano:                                                          
Ich folge dir gleichfalls (St. John's Passion)                                                                        
Mein gläubiges Herze (BWV 68)                                                                             
Ich bin vergnügt in meinem Leiden (BWV 58)

Alto:
Buß und Reu (St. Matthew Passion)
Gott hat alles wohl gemacht (BWV 35)
Gott will, o ihr Menschenkinder (BWV 173)

Tenor:
Hebt euer Haupt empor (BWV 70)
Mein alles in allem (BWV 22)
Nur jedem das Seine (BWV 163)

Bass: 
Wo gehest du hin (BWV 166)
Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch (BWV 86)
Die Welt mit allen Königreichen (BWV 59)

Recitative per voice:
Soprano: Ach, dieser süße Trost (BWV 57)           
Alto: Ich will mein Gott (BWV 132)
Tenor: Ach! Ich bin ein Kind der Sünden (BWV 78)
Bass: O Sünder, trage mit Geduld (BWV 114)

About the Young Bach Fellowship
The Young Bach Fellowship offers young professional musicians the chance to learn the craft by performing alongside the experienced musicians of the Bach Society, as well as to work closely with and to go behind the scenes of a world-class ensemble. The fellows will take part in at least 2 projects per season across two seasons (2024-25 and 2025-26), be assigned a mentor – a musician of the Bachvereniging – as well as receive help and advice in career-building. They will also take part in special productions and workshops to round out the transitioning towards a full-fledged professional musician.

What do we offer?
• Participation in projects in season 2024-25:

• Participation in 2 projects in season 2025-26: to be decided

Payment is based on the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) for Dutch ensembles, to which the Netherlands Bach Society is a member.

• Extras:
- Kick off workshop on September 10th 2024 with members of the NBS including a photo session by a professional photographer
- Other workshops: to be announced
- 1 complimentary ticket per production to concerts by the Bach Society (subject to availability)

What do we expect from our fellows?
• Participation in the above mentioned projects is mandatory
• Full commitment & preparation for the project & other activities
• Fellow must be resident in the Netherlands and must have a Dutch work permit that qualifies for payroll remuneration, for the duration of the two seasons of the Programme.