
What is Intrada?
Intrada is a Europe-wide, year-long artists development scheme for orchestral instrumentalists, run by three partner ensembles: B’Rock Orchestra, Concerto Copenhagen, and Dunedin Consort.
Selected by open audition, a handful of talented young musicians from Europe will be invited to take part in the scheme, which will involve:
- The opportunity to play in at least one project, hosted by one of the scheme’s partner ensembles during the course of the year
- One-to-one coaching/mentoring from a music director or instrumentalist from one of the scheme’s partner ensembles
- Professional development coaching – including Q&As with the music director from at least one of the scheme’s partner ensembles, and advice on subjects such as how to run a small ensemble, marketing and social media, fundraising for individuals, administration, and CV/biography/audition advice.
- Professional fees for all rehearsals and performances
- Accommodation and travel costs covered for all events
How to apply
Applications for Intrada 2024-25 are now open, and the deadline for applications is 11.59pm GMT on Sunday 10 December 2023
AM I ELIGIBLE?
The scheme is open to instrumentalists who:
- Play on historically set up instruments
- Are under the age of 35 on 1 January 2024 (born after 1 Jan 1988)
- Are Europe-based, including those countries not part of the European Union, who have the right to work in the European Union (Please note: players based in the EU can take on short-term work engagements in the UK, post-Brexit, by using a Permitted Paid Engagement visa)
The scheme is open to instrumentalists that our ensembles can offer professional work to over the 2024-25 season. This includes:
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double bass
- Flute
- Oboe
- Bassoon
We are unable to support the following instruments for Intrada 2024-2025:
- Harpsichord
- Theorbo
- Harp
- Viola da gamba
- Recorder
- Clarinet
- Natural horn
- Trumpet
- Trombone/sackbut
- Percussion
If your instrument is not listed on either lists, but you would like to participate in the scheme, please email our Learning & Participation Manager to discuss whether we might be able to accommodate your instrument. The website will be continually updated with a list of instruments we can and cannot support.
APPLICATIONS
The deadline for applications is 11.59pm GMT on SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER 2023
To apply for the scheme, you will need to upload:
- A CV
- A video recording
Your video recording will need to contain the following:
- The required orchestral excerpts for your instrument. (Please download the orchestral excerpts folder from our website)
- Two contrasting movements, selected from different works. The duration of these two movements combined should not exceed 5 minutes in length. You can include excerpts from longer movements.
For questions regarding repertoire, please see our frequently asked questions section on the website, which has been updated with new information.
Further information:
CV: Your CV should be uploaded as a PDF. Your CV (curriculum vitae) is not the same as a biography – please ensure you provide the correct document.
Video recording: We recommend uploading your video recording as an unlisted YouTube video. This will only be visible to those you share the link with. In the description, please add chapters to your video with information about each movement or excerpt you are playing. For more information on how to do this, please watch this short demonstration video HERE.
Please note:
Your video is intended to replicate a live audition, rather than a professionally shot video with separately edited sound, and should not use previously recorded material. It will need to be unedited within movements, and shot from a single angle, which shows the whole of you playing.
If your audio has been edited or modified post-production your application will be disqualified.
AUDITIONS
If you are selected from the online applications, you will be required to attend an in-person audition on WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2024, in Brussels.
- The panel for your audition will consist of representatives from all of the partner ensembles.
- Travel and accommodation (where necessary) will be provided free of charge for all finalists.
- An accompanist will be provided for your audition, and you will be allocated a 30 minute rehearsal slot on the same day as your audition. A harpsichord tuned at 415 Hz will be available, but no fortepiano.
For your audition you are required to play:
- Two contrasting works, in full, totalling between 15-20 minutes.
- A free choice piece, lasting no more than 5 minutes in length. This is an opportunity to show off your creative personality: you might choose to play an arrangement of a folk song from your country; or an improvisation, for example, diminutions on a ground bass.
Please note:
- After you have played, there will be a short discussion between you and the panel.
- The repertoire for your live audition cannot be a repeat of your video application.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday 13 November 2023 – Applications open
11.59pm GMT Sunday 10 December 2023 – Deadline for online applications
Friday 22 December 2023 – Results of online applications
Wednesday 24 January 2024 – In-person auditions in Brussels
April 2024 – April 2025 – Programme runs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Does my video application need to be accompanied?
A: You can pick either accompanied or unaccompanied repertoire for your application. If your repertoire choice has an accompaniment part, we advise you that you choose what will give you the best musical outcome. If you have an accompanist at hand then this is ideal, but if sufficient rehearsal time or access to someone suitable isn’t possible, then we will accept an unaccompanied audition too.
Q: I don’t have a classical instrument, but some of the excerpts are classical repertoire – what should I do?
A: If you are a string player, we advise that you record your classical excerpts on your baroque instrument, with a correct bow if possible. It is your choice if you record your excerpts at 415 or 430 Hz. If you are a wind player and you don’t have access to a classical instrument, we have now uploaded alternative baroque excerpts which you can record instead. You can access these by downloading the excerpts folder.
Q: What pitch should I record my excerpts at?
A: We suggest that you record your excerpts and pieces at the pitches they were originally intended to be played. If this is not possible then we will accept applications at different pitches. Please get in touch if you are unsure about this.
Q: Can I play chamber music in my application?
A: You can play chamber music in your audition, however please be aware that we want to hear you in your best and fullest light – not all chamber music may be suitable for this.
Q: Is it possible to know the dates of the projects in advance, so that I know if I should apply or not?
A: There is not one particular project that people will be assigned to – rather a variety of options which will vary depending on what instrument you play, hence why we cannot publish exact dates. Anyone who is accepted onto the scheme will be offered a project, and if it clashes with a current engagement then they will be offered a different project, and so on and so forth.
Q: I am not free on the date of the audition, can I still apply?
A: If you are unable to attend the in-person audition, then unfortunately you cannot participate in the scheme.
Q: I am a student living in Europe, but I am not a European citizen. Can I still apply?
A: If you have a work visa or a student visa which offers the possibility to work in the EU/UK then you can apply for the scheme. If you are unsure whether this applies to you, please contact our Learning & Participation Manager.
Q: I have access to a historically set up instrument but I have only had second study lessons, can I still apply?
A: Yes!
Q: Can I play classical repertoire for my application or live audition?
A: You can classical repertoire as part of your online application. If you are selected for a live audition, please note that if you want to play classical repertoire it will either have to be unaccompanied, or performed at 415Hz accompanied by a harpsichord.
Q: If I play one movement from a work in my application video, can I perform the whole work in my in-person audition?
A: No, you are required to perform a whole work for your audition, so including a movement which is the same as your application video is not permitted.
Q: Can each piece in my application be recorded in a separate take, or does the whole audition video need to be recorded in one sitting?
A: It is okay to combine separate recordings of each movement, as long as no editing occurs within the movements.
Q: I don’t have access to high-quality recording equipment for my online application. Will this affect my chances?
A: We try to be as fair as possible when listening to video applications, regardless of access to high-quality recording equipment. However, it is very difficult for us to accurately assess your performance if the sound is distorted on your recording. If you play a loud instrument, please check that you are not too close to the microphone, and check that your recording is not distorting in your soundcheck. If you require advice about your set up, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Q: How can I get my travel costs covered for my audition?
A: If you are selected for an in-person audition, we will be in touch with you to arrange your travel and accommodation requirements.
CONTACT DETAILS
If you have further questions about the scheme, please contact Dunedin Consort’s Learning & Participation Manager, Lucia Capellaro, on lucia@dunedin-consort.org.uk. We will try respond to you as soon possible, but please be aware that Lucia’s working days are from Monday-Wednesday.
2022-23 Intrada Artists
Until application deadline
We want to ensure that this scheme is as open, inclusive and accessible as possible. If you have any additional support or accessibility needs, please contact Dunedin Consort’s Learning & Participation Manager, Lucia Capellaro, on lucia@dunedin-consort.org.uk to discuss how we can accommodate your specific requirements.