Image: Samling Academy 2015 participants. Photo © Mark Pinder / Meta-4
Samling is offering a day of expert training in classical singing for free to talented young singers in the North East.
Samling’s new ‘Taster Day’ takes place on Saturday 13 February from 10am to 3.30pm at Jesmond United Reformed Church and is aimed at schoolchildren aged 12–17 in Years 8–12. There is no charge for taking part and no previous experience of classical singing is required, just a good voice and some curiosity.
The Taster Day provides an idea of what it is like to take part in Samling Academy, which works in partnership with Newcastle University, Durham University and Sage Gateshead. Since 2012 the Academy has brought young North East singers together with top professional classical artists to nurture and develop their talent.
The day will be led by Caroline Dowdle from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, North East-based singing teacher and Samling Artist Miranda Wright, director and movement coach Pedro Ribeiro and award-winning pianist and Samling Artist Ian Tindale.
During the Taster Day participants will work towards a group performance of the beautiful ‘Humming Chorus’ from Puccini’s famous opera Madame Butterfly. There will be a session on movement and the chance to observe short masterclasses with existing Academy participants.
Samling will also be holding a question-and-answer session on the day about Samling Academy and offering tips to those interested in auditioning in May for one of the 25 Academy places available this year.
Samling has written to the Head of Music at every Middle and High school in the region with more information about the Taster Day. Young people interested in taking part can speak to their Head of Music or email Samling’s Creative Development Manager Mary Emmett for more information.
Samling Academy students show off their singing talent in two concerts this July at Barnard Castle and Saltburn-by-the-Sea. Later in the year, six days of intensive study hosted by Durham and Newcastle Universities culminate in the fifth annual Samling Academy Concert at Sage Gateshead in October.
‘Through this Taster Day we are hoping to discover young people in our schools who have talent and give them the opportunity to develop it through Samling Academy and working with some of the best in the business,’ said Samling’s Artistic and Executive Director Karon Wright.
Samling Academy Taster Day
Saturday 13 February 2016, 10am – 3.30pm
Jesmond United Reformed Church, Burdon Terrace, Newcastle, NE2 3AE
Participation free of charge but registration is necessary: email mary@samling.org.uk / call 01434 602885 to register, giving your name, school, date of birth, contact details and name of singing teacher if applicable.
Places are granted on a first-come-first-served basis and the deadline for registration is Friday 5 February. If there are no places left Samling will keep a waiting list.