BBC - Singers - How to Apply

Are full-time jobs often available in the Singers?

Full-time vacancies within the group occur infrequently however, occasionally members do leave. If a full-time vacancy does occur, the job is advertised in such periodicals as Classical Music and on the BBC jobs website. The basic requirements for the job are suitable academic qualifications, excellent vocal skills, superb musicianship, good sight-reading and experience of singing with other professional choirs. Selection is by audition (see below).

But don't you need extras and deputies?

We do indeed. If a Singer is away (due to illness, holiday, solo work etc), we need a replacement - a Deputy. If it is necessary to augment the 24 staff singers, we employ an Extra. We have a list of extras and deputies, known as the Ad Hoc list. To apply for the Ad Hoc list, we need to see your c.v. and then you may be asked to audition. Please note: give us only relevant details; don't list every singing job since leaving college! Having sent us your c.v. you may be selected for an audition.

I've heard the BBC Singers audition is very difficult. Is this true?

No more than any other audition. An audition is a performance (and a job interview) so should be treated seriously. You must prepare a set-piece and a work of your own choice; the latter should reflect the group's commitment to contemporary music. In addition you will be given some sight-reading (see below) and we may ask to hear vocal exercises. For Ad Hoc auditions, the panel usually consists of the Chief Conductor and the General Manager of the BBC Singers. For vacancies, the panel also includes members of the BBC Singers and the Senior Producer.

We know auditions are scary so here are a few tips...

Your audition pieces should be well-prepared (though it is not necessary to memorise them). It's surprising how many auditionees only prepare one work thoroughly - usually the one that suits them best vocally.

Ensure your own-choice piece is not too long.

If you want something - a music-stand, to take a drink of water - do ask. Postpone if you are not feeling at your best (through illness etc.) Your name will be added to the next round of auditions. However, for full-time vacancies the audition day announced will normally be your only opportunity.

That sounds quite straight-forward but I've heard the sight-reading is very hard.

The BBC Singers work extremely quickly, sometimes giving two concerts within a very short time span so we cannot afford the time employing singers who might slow down the learning process. We know sight-reading comes with practise and there's less opportunity than there used to be to get it. At your audition, we do not expect you to get it right first time - though it's marvellous if you do - but we do need to know that you have the intelligence to know where you went wrong and how to put it right. There are normally three pieces of graded sight-reading (from relatively simple to more taxing) which will give us an idea of your ability.

You may be given two or three attempts at sight-reading a piece so you are given a fair chance. The audition panel knows that this occasion is not what will be experienced if you work with us - we do have rehearsals!

What happens after the audition?

We write to you as soon as possible after the audition letting you know of our final decision. Should we offer you a place on our Ad Hoc list, we cannot guarantee the amount of work we would be able to give you. If we don't offer you a place, you may ring the General Manager for feed-back. So if you're a professional singer, why not apply for an audition by writing to Hannah Wallace, enclosing your c.v.:

Hannah Wallace,
Room 24 BBC Studios,
Delaware Road,
London W9 2LG.

Or if you would like more information about auditioning, telephone 020 7765 2033.

How to apply - Frequently asked questions