ROH launches young musician scheme with Black Lives in Music

Hattie Fisk
Wednesday, August 2, 2023

The ‘Overture’ scheme is offering underrepresented young musicians aged between 18 and 25 mentorship from Royal Opera House Orchestra musicians

The 2022 intake of the ROH Orchestra 'Overture' mentorship scheme © Laura Aziz
The 2022 intake of the ROH Orchestra 'Overture' mentorship scheme © Laura Aziz

The Royal Opera House (ROH) is offering young musicians aged between 18 and 25 the opportunity to be mentored by professional musicians with its 'Overture' programme. 

In collaboration with Black Lives in Music (BLiM), the mentorship scheme will commence in October, and will be led by members of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. 

ROH is looking for young people from across the UK who identify as being from a global majority background or from another underrepresented group, who play one of the following instruments: 

  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Double Bass
  • Clarinet
  • Bassoon
  • Horn
  • Trumpet
  • Trombone
  • Timpani
  • Percussion

Those in the programme will receive access to a private rehearsal, a backstage tour of the Royal Opera House, side-by-side sessions playing alongside professionals and a ticket to a dress rehearsal, alongside a mock audition to help with future applications, external pastoral support from BLiM and reimbursement for travel. 

The young musicians will be partnered with a mentor musician from the ROH Orchestra who will provide the participant with a personal programme between October 2023 and July 2024. 

The ‘expression of interest’ form entries close on 11 August, and the application deadline is 25 August. 

You can find out more here.

This article was originally published by Music Teacher Magazine. You can find the original version of this article here.