Genesis Sixteen announces its ninth cohort and 200th singer
13 June 2019
The new cohort of Genesis Sixteen singers for 2019-20, The Sixteen’s free young artists’ scheme for 18-23 year-olds funded by the Genesis Foundation, has just been selected. The scheme aims to nurture the next generation of talented ensemble singers and, with the new intake, The Sixteen will have mentored more than 200 singers in the early stages of their careers.
Over the course of the next academic year, participants will receive group tuition, individual mentoring and masterclasses run by some of the world’s top vocal experts and a series of week-long and weekend courses led by key figures from The Sixteen including Founder and Conductor Harry Christophers and Associate Conductor Eamonn Dougan. Support from the Genesis Foundation means participants receive free tuition and a bursary to cover all additional costs.
John Studzinski, Founder and Chairman, Genesis Foundation says: “One of the greatest gifts we can receive is to have people in our lives who transform us by their wisdom and generosity of spirit. The latest young singers about to join Genesis Sixteen will be blessed by having Harry Christophers, Eamon Dougan and the team come into their lives. Harry is not only one of the world’s leading musicians but also an inspirational mentor who dedicates himself to transforming the lives of the singers who join Genesis Sixteen.”
Harry Christophers CBE, Founder and Conductor of The Sixteen says: “Genesis Sixteen from its inception in 2010 has far surpassed our wildest dreams. Each year has been a revelation and I am certain that our ninth cohort of singers will be no exception. We have chosen a wonderfully talented and diverse group of singers and I can’t wait to start working with them. Once again thank you to the Genesis Foundation for constantly making the impossible possible.”
The outgoing cohort of Genesis Sixteen performs its annual lunchtime concert – the culmination of its year-long training – on Saturday 20 July at London’s St Clement Danes, as part of The Sixteen’s annual Sounds Sublime Festival. The Festival includes a performance by Streetwise Opera responding to Eric Whitacre’s Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine, with Genesis Sixteen singers.
The cohort will also perform BBC Choral Evensong on Thursday 18 July at London’s St Alban-the-Martyr Church, which will be recorded for later broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
Applications for Genesis Sixteen cohort for 2020 – 21 will open in November 2019. This intake will celebrate ten years of Genesis Sixteen, coinciding with the Genesis Foundation’s 20th anniversary in 2021.
