Open auditions for ensemble singers

The Netherlands Bach Society is a unique and leading vocal-instrumental ensemble that has been committed to sharing the music of J.S. Bach with the world for over a hundred years. We do this through more than sixty concerts a year, educational projects, talent development and All of Bach, our YouTube channel full of high-quality recordings of Bach's works. The ensemble consists of approximately thirty musicians, including twelve core singers.

Profile
We are looking for professional singers with a high grade of musicality, flexibility and experience in ensemble singing. Our main focus is the baroque repertoire, especially Bach, but polyphony, early baroque and contemporary projects are also part of the repertoire. Therefore an affection for the 17th and 18th century repertoire and its style is obligatory, as well as sight reading skills. Singers should be excellent ensemble singers, as well as singing soloistically especially in the earlier repertoire.

• Significant experience in historically informed performance is essential.
• We prefer candidates who live in the Netherlands and are taxable here for their remuneration. Musicians are contracted on a per-project basis. Musicians who live abroad are welcome to apply, however, successful foreign candidates must apply for a Dutch social security number in due course. Accommodation is not provided for foreign musicians during projects. Only travel expenses in the Netherlands are reimbursed.
• Fees are paid according to the CLA music ensembles (CAO muziekensembles).
• The successful candidate will be invited for a trial period to become a core member of the Netherlands Bach Society. 
• Multiple candidates may be selected for a trial period.

Procedure: applications, auditions and trials

• Auditions will take place on December 4 for altos and tenors and on December 6 for sopranos and basses, at the Berenkuil, Biltstraat 166 in Utrecht and will be live only (not online).
• The application deadline is October 31 2025. Please complete the application form. 
• Selection for the auditions is based on the assessment of the CV and a recent video recording (in a single take) of an aria by J.S. Bach. You can upload your CV and recording via the application form. 
• Applicants will be notified by email on November 17 whether they have been invited to audition and will then receive a link to the sheet music for the required audition repertoire.

Audition repertoire

1. 1 aria and 1 recitativo by Johann Sebastian Bach from the list of arias below 
2. 1 short solo piece from the early baroque of the singer’s choice
3. J.S. Bach, Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, BWV 225 from bar 255
4. Claudio Monteverdi, Adoramus te, Christe

List of arias

SOPRANO
Aria:
‘Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen’, BWV 32
‘Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not’, BWV 21
‘Die Seele ruht in Jesus Händen’, BWV 127
‘Ich bin vergnügt in meinem Leiden’, BWV 58
Recitativo:
‘Ach, dieser süße Trost’, BWV 57 

ALTO/COUNTERTENOR
Aria:
‘Gott will, o ihr Menschenkinder’, BWV 173 
‘Gott hat alles wohl gemacht’, BWV 35 
Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust’, BWV 170
‘Ach, bleibe doch mein liebstes Leben’, BWV 11
Recitativo: 
‘Ich will, mein Gott, dir frei heraus bekennen’, BWV 132  

TENOR
Aria:
‘Hebt euer Haupt empor’, BWV 70
‘Ich will an den Himmel denken’, BWV 166
‘Treu und Wahrheit sei der Grund’, BWV 24
‘Das Blut, so meine Schuld durchstreicht’, BWV 78
Recitativo:
‘Gib mir dabei, mein Gott’, BWV 77 

BASS
Aria:
‘Es ist vollbracht’, BWV 159 
‘Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch’, BWV 86
‘Gute Nacht’, uit BWV 27
‘Ich will den Kreuztab gerne tragen’, BWV 56
Recitativo:
‘O Christenheit, wohlan’, BWV 91

Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Hilde Van Ruymbeke at hilde.vanruymbeke@bachvereniging.nl.