To be eligible for Southbank Sinfonia, you should play one of the following orchestral instruments to a high standard and have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate music degree either at music college or university, or achieved an equivalent musical qualification.
Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Percussion
To apply, you should complete our application form below and return it to us with the necessary attachments by the closing date of 12 noon on Sunday 1 September 2013.
We will send you confirmation by email that we have received your application. You will then here within three weeks of the deadline if we are able to invite you for an audition.
As demand for places is high, we regret that we cannot audition everyone who applies. It is vital that you use the application form to tell us why you would personally like to be considered, and what you can bring to Southbank Sinfonia. If you have applied in previous years, you are warmly welcomed to apply again – many of our players achieve places after applying more than once – but please ensure you tell us in your form what new things you have done musically and how you have progressed since your last application.
We are often asked if it is possible to be in Southbank Sinfonia while still studying at music college or university. Owing to the intensity of the programme, this is not normally practical so we strongly recommend you wait and apply once you have graduated. Please see Frequently Asked Questions for more information about this.
On the basis of the information you provide in your application, selected applicants will be invited to attend an audition and interview in London.
If you are applying from Australia or New Zealand, it is possible this year to be auditioned locally. Please click here for more information.
Auditions
Auditions take place from 14 -21 October 2013. Following these, select candidates are then asked back to participate in a short interview which will take place from 24 – 31 October 2013. If selected for audition, you will be notified individually of the actual dates you are required to attend.
Candidates are asked to prepare the following pieces. On the day, you will have the chance to run briefly through parts of your repertoire with one of our accompanists before the audition. You will also be sent a set of short orchestral extracts in advance which we recommend you familiar yourself with fully prior to the audition. In addition, there will be a short piece of sight reading on the day.
| Instrument | Pieces |
| Violin | 1st movement of a Mozart Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Viola | 1st movement of the Hoffmeister Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Cello | 1st movement of a Haydn Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Bass | 1st movement of a Classical Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Flute | 1st movement of a Mozart Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Oboe | 1st movement of a Mozart Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Clarinet | 1st movement of a Mozart Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Bassoon | 1st movement of a Mozart Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Horn | 1st movement of a Mozart Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Trumpet | 1st movement of the Haydn or Hummel Concerto A contrasting accompanied piece |
| Percussion | A piece of your choice for solo marimba |
Please note, you do not have to prepare the cadenza of your concerto movement unless you personally want to.
Following auditions and interviews, candidates will be notified before the end of November whether they have been successful in attaining a place in Southbank Sinfonia.
Click on the link below for the application form which should be returned to us by the closing date of 12 noon on Sunday 1 September 2013. We regret that we cannot accept any applications that are incomplete, or that arrive after this date.
If you have any queries about the programme or the audition process, our Frequently Asked Questions page may hold the answer. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact us on auditions@southbanksinfonia.co.uk or you are welcome to call Jo Perry or one of our team on 020 7921 0370 who will be very happy to give advice.
