The Sixteen announces new cohort of Genesis Sixteen singers and appoints new Conducting Scholar
5 July 2017
The Sixteen are delighted to announce the new cohort of Genesis Sixteen singers and the appointment of Benedict Preece as Genesis Sixteen Conducting Scholar for 2017-18. The new cohort are:
Soprano: Morven Bremner, Isabella Gibber, Natalie Houlston, Maisie Hulbert, Victoria Meteyard, Rebecca Murphy, Myrna Tennant
Alto: Isobel Chesman, Anya Chomacki, Theo Golden, Katie Jeffries-Harris, David Whitworth
Tenor: Ted Black, Oscar Golden-Lee, Charlie Hodgkiss, Thomas Perkins, Sidharth Prabhu-Naik
Bass: George Clark, George Cook, Sam Gilliatt, John Lee, Peter Norris
Genesis Sixteen, supported by the Genesis Foundation, is currently in its seventh year and has worked with over 100 participants. The UK’s first ever fully funded programme of its kind, Genesis Sixteen is The Sixteen’s free young artists’ scheme for 18-23 year olds, which aims to nurture the next generation of talented ensemble singers. During the course of a year, a series of week-long and weekend courses are led by key figures from The Sixteen, including founder and conductor Harry Christophers and Associate Conductor Eamonn Dougan. Participants receive group tuition, individual mentoring and masterclasses run by some of the world’s top vocal experts. Support from the Genesis Foundation means participants receive free tuition and a bursary to cover all additional costs. The Conducting Scholarship is fully funded and offers young conductors, between the ages of 21-26, the opportunity to be mentored by Harry Christophers and Eamonn Dougan, as well as the chance to work with some of the best young ensemble singers in the country. The Scholar is given the chance to observe each course, sing with the choir, lead their own rehearsals and conduct several pieces in concert.
Harry Christophers, Founder and Conductor, The Sixteen commented, “Genesis Sixteen has become an integral part of what The Sixteen does and I am delighted to welcome the new cohort of singers and Conducting Scholar to the scheme. Over the next year they will work extensively and in great detail with myself and Eamonn Dougan and will also have the opportunity to be mentored by singers of the highest quality to nurture and develop their talent. We are, as always, very grateful to the Genesis Foundation for its continued support and dedication to this cause.”
John Studzinski, Founder and Chairman, Genesis Foundation, commented, “Burgeoning talent, mentoring from one of the most inspirational choral conductors, standing side-by-side with great singers, meeting peers who become collaborators – all this and much more characterise Genesis Sixteen. To take young talent, expose it to great leadership and mentoring is at the heart of the Genesis Foundation and we couldn’t be prouder of the more than 100 alumni and what they’ve achieved. The fact that they in turn are now mentoring others shows how supporting such schemes as Genesis Sixteen continually transforms the lives of young artists.”
Genesis Sixteen alumni are continuing their successful careers with chorus and solo roles at Glyndebourne and performances alongside a range of renowned ensembles including The Sixteen, British Youth Opera, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Tenebrae Choir and many more, with regular appearances on BBC Radio 3 and various festivals across the UK and beyond. This year we saw James Newby become the 2017 Jerwood Young Artist, James Way win the Second Prize at the Kathleen Ferrier Awards, and two alumni ensembles releasing their debut albums.
Applications for the 2018-19 cohort will open in November 2017.
