ASSOCIATE ACCOMPANIST

2015

The Bursary

The National Youth Choir of Scotland wishes to provide a unique opportunity for a highly

proficient pianist to develop or further develop the skills necessary to accompany the flagship

NYCoS Choir, National Boys Choir (NBC) and National Girls Choir (NGC) for rehearsals.

The successful candidate will work with NYCoS Artistic Director and Conductor, Christopher

Bell and be coached by principal accompanist, Stuart Hope or another regular NYCoS

accompanist. Candidates ideally will be based in Scotland and available to add to the

pool of NYCoS accompanists in Scotland after the courses.

National Youth Choir of Scotland The National Youth Choir of Scotland is one of the country’s leading choirs. Formed in

1996, the basis of its activities is a seven-day residential course in Edinburgh in July where

the repertoire for the year is learned. Singers are between the ages of 16 and 24 and

number anything from 80–120 depending on repertoire and availability of singers. The

course is a mixture of sectional and tutti rehearsals.

Recent performances include a tour of Central Europe, and concerts with Scottish Chamber

Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

The National Boys Choir and the National Girls Choir provide similar activities for singers

in the age groups 10–16 at Easter time.

What is involved?

The Associate Accompanist will be expected to attend one of the residential courses for

whichever choir is chosen. During this time, they will observe and play for some sectional

rehearsals, and similarly for some of the tutti rehearsals, all under the guidance of the course

accompanist. Support and feedback will be provided to ensure successful development.

Term

The post would last for one residential course, with possible additional courses at additional

fees if appropriate.

Remuneration The bursary is £400 for one residential course – in addition, all food and accommodation

will be provided during the course, and reasonable travel expenses paid.

Application Process Candidates should send a CV to Associate Accompanist, NYCoS, The Mitchell, North

Street, Glasgow G3 7DN or email jobs@nycos.co.uk by Friday 28th November 2014.

Following receipt of application, candidates may be asked to audition. The audition

requirement will be to play a short piece of piano music of the candidate’s choosing to

show technical and musical ability followed by the piano accompaniment of a choral work,

provided by NYCoS, while following a conductor.

Stuart Hope

Stuart Hope grew up in Berwick-upon-Tweed, gaining his first performing diploma whilst

still at school. He went on to read Music at Edinburgh University winning many prizes and

cultivating a reputation as a pianist, accompanist and arranger. Alongside his commitments

as a performer and continuo player, he is currently accompanist to the SCO Chorus, NYCoS

and Edinburgh Festival Chorus, and works regularly with Dunedin Consort, Consort of

Voices and other national organisations.

He has played for many well-known conductors including Charles Mackerras, Joseph

Swensen, Nicholas McGegan, Nicolas Kraemer, Arnold Östman, Walter Weller, Alexander

Lazarev, Richard Hickox and Marin Alsop and also appears regularly in concerts throughout

the UK.

Christopher Bell

Belfast-born Christopher Bell is the Artistic Director of NYCoS. Alongside that he currently

holds posts as Chorus Director of the Grant Park Chorus (Chicago) and Chorusmaster of

RSNO Junior Chorus and Edinburgh Festival Chorus. Christopher has received the following

awards: a Scotsman of the Year 2001 for Creative Talent, the Charles Groves Prize in

2003 for his contribution to cultural life in Scotland and the rest of the UK, an Honorary

Masters Degree from the Open University for Services to the Arts in 2009 and an Honorary

Doctorate of Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2012 for his contribution

to the performing arts in Scotland. In 2013, Chorus America awarded Christopher the

Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art.

The National Youth Choir of ScotlandThe MitchellNorth Street

Glasgow G3 7DN

Tel: 0141 287 2856 Fax: 0141 287 2858 e-mail: admin@nycos.co.uk

www.nycos.co.uk

Scottish Charity No: SC024899 Registered in Scotland No: SC165149