THE ROYAL Opera House Orchestra has announced the launch of a revolutionary pilot programme for young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds.
Talent between the ages of 18 and 25, from the global majority and other underrepresented backgrounds, will have priority in the new programme.
Tony Pappano, director of Royal Opera House Music, said: “Working in any orchestra is a hugely collegiate experience and we believe it’s vital to assist and mentor young talent as they navigate the very beginnings of their career.
“Gaining access to organisations at the start of your career can feel daunting and overwhelming and we want to support, mentor and positively shape these very first experiences in a professional environment. This new pilot scheme will welcome young, diverse talent, helping them feel like they belong.”
In addition to strengthening participants’ skill sets, knowledge, and training in the field of classical music, the scheme will offer crucial mentorship that is specifically suited to each participant’s requirements.
Black Lives in Music, an organisation founded to promote diversity in the classical music business, is collaborating with the project’s delivery team.
Participants will get instruction on a variety of orchestral instruments from 13 members of the Royal Opera House Orchestra.
Recruitment for the project will be a straightforward procedure that lowers entrance barriers and rethinks the application process, breaking with convention and making it as easy as possible for individuals who are interested to apply.
Roger Wilson, director of operations at Black Lives in Music said: “The project will help to level the playing field for all young musicians and enable them to realise their aspirations of joining the classical sector as professionals.
“The ROH mentoring project combines traditional mentoring with real opportunities to play alongside and learn from some of the best musicians around, this is a game changer! Black Lives in Music are excited to be working alongside the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House in this hands-on approach to supporting change in the UK classical music sector.”
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House mentor programme combines with other ROH initiatives that give emerging artists entry-level routes into the field.
Applications for the scheme opened yesterday (4) and more details are available at the Royal Opera House website (roh.org.uk).
Home to The Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, the Royal Opera House brings together world-class performers and trailblazing creative teams to share unforgettable performances with audiences near and far.
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