Associate artists
Ensemble la Sportelle’s Associate Artists programme offers young professional singers the opportunity to develop their choral singing skills with the support and guidance of the entire Ensemble La Sportelle team. The Ensemble is led by a diverse artistic team that includes renowned international conductors such as Nigel Short and Owain Park, alongside emerging French conductors.
The Associate Artists gain valuable first-hand experience of a professional singer’s work through active participation in Ensemble la Sportelle’s national and international concerts, as well as its recording projects. The goal for young singers is to become an integral part of the Ensemble la Sportelle team by taking part in a variety of projects, consort, chamber choir, and oratorio choir, while developing their musicality and choral skills, and learning alongside more experienced colleagues.
Upon joining the program, each Associate Artist will be offered paid engagements throughout the seasons, in accordance with the CNEAC collective agreement for choral artists. Ensemble la Sportelle is not required to engage Associat Artists for every project. Likewise, participants are not obliged to commit to all proposed dates, though they are strongly encouraged to do so in order to enhance their learning experience.
In addition, there will be opportunities to perform in smaller ensembles, depending on seasonal projects and available engagements.
This programme offers a unique professional development opportunity for young French singers. Throughout the year, Associate Artists will refine their musical skills, rehearsal experience, and performance abilities. The program allows participants to develop extensive expertise in the field of choral work, as well as essential skills for launching a demanding career in the world of high-level choral singing.
This project is specifically aimed at young professional singers at the start of their careers who wish to build a career as choristers. Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years old. All candidates should have already begun or be in the process of developing their vocal training and must possess prior training and experience.
The first stage of selection will be based on submitted applications via the link below. Each application must be complete.
The second stage will be an audition, which will include: 1 solo aria, 1 Gregorian chant, 1 sight-reading test, 1 aural harmony test, 1 polyphonic test, and 1 interview.
At the end of the selection process, between 4 and 5 singers will be chosen.
