Professional Experience Scheme 25/26: Manchester Collective

Applications are now open for the 2025-26 Manchester Collective Studio at the RNCM

This is the first year of a bespoke programme unique to the RNCM. It is designed to give up to five outstanding postgraduate string players first-hand experience of life and work inside Manchester Collective. With you we will open up the varied practices that go into designing and delivering powerful music experiences. In selecting applicants we’ll be looking for refined instrumental craft but also genuine musical curiosity and a mindset that’s open to creativity and collaboration.

About Manchester Collective

“Immersive performances and wild juxtapositions” ★★★★ BBC Music Magazine

Known for their imaginative programming and daring collaborations, Manchester Collective perform a combination of cutting-edge contemporary music, classical masterpieces and staged work in spaces ranging from concert halls to warehouses, nightclubs to festivals. New music and collaboration are of vital importance to the Collective; the shape-shifting ensemble commissions and presents work by some of today’s most exciting artistic voices, crossing different genres and artforms.

Inside the organisation this group is committed to radically rethinking what a classical music organisation can look and feel like. In both their administrative and artistic teams, they champion a culture that is inclusive, supportive, and representative of our contemporary society. As pioneers they are unafraid of examining every convention in order to move towards a world where music opens up space for deep feeling, bold thinking, and human connection.

Find out more on our website and our YouTube channel

About the Studio

This pathway is about leadership and craft. It’s likely to be right for you if you are interested in pursuing a career in chamber music, developing your own creative practice, or devising and producing collaborative projects. It’s probably not the best fit if your dream is to secure a traditional orchestral position.

Throughout the year successful applicants will work closely with violinist and Manchester Collective Co-Artistic Director Rakhi Singh, along with other members of the Collective, to explore the following questions:

1. What makes a compelling performance?
2. What is empathetic leadership?
3. What is strong vision?
4. How can we communicate and realise our ideas?
5. What does today’s industry require from us, as artists?

Across a series of workshops, talks, rehearsals and performance, you will be guided in exploring the different facets that are essential to creating and performing at the highest level. These include:

• physical awareness
• score reading and interpretation
• rehearsal techniques
• imaginative programming
• leadership – both with your instrument and without
• curiosity and self-development

You will be expected to observe at least one Manchester Collective main season show (rehearsal and performance) during the year and participate in the Studio’s public performance at the RNCM.

Key Dates
Applications to the Manchester Collective Studio are expected to be extremely competitive, with places restricted to a maximum of five. In order to benefit from the experience, participants will need to be fully committed: we therefore ask you to confirm that you are available for the following key dates before submitting an application.

Live Auditions:
02 October 10:00 – 17:00 RNCM

Welcome and Induction Session:
20 October 14:00 – 17:00 RNCM

Studio Workshops:
17 November, 08 December 2025; 12 January, 23 February, 16 March 2026 14:00 – 21:00 RNCM

Studio Performance week:
Monday 20 April 2026 14:00 – 17:00 / 18:00 – 21:00 RNCM Studio 3
Tuesday 21 April 2026 10:00 – 12:30 / 13:30 – 16:00 RNCM Studio 7
Wednesday 22 April 2026 14:30 – 17:00 / 18:00 – 20:30 RNCM Concert Hall
Thursday 23 April 2026 15:00 – 18:00 / 19:30 Performance RNCM Concert Hall

Manchester Collective Main Season Shows attendance and observation:
‘Wintering’ 27 November 2025 (afternoon rehearsal, evening performance) Stoller Hall
‘Sky with the Four Suns’ 08 February 2026 (afternoon rehearsal, evening performance) Aviva Studios

Ready to Apply?
If you have read this, looked at our website, checked us out on YouTube, and feel this is an opportunity for you then read the following information carefully to find out what you need to do next. Please note that we care about inclusivity and access. If you have any access needs, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] so that we can discuss any reasonable adjustments you may require.

Stage One

Deadline: Friday 27 June 13:00

Please communicate an Expression of Interest by completing this form before the deadline on  Friday 27 June. This is quick and easy; you simply have to tell us that you plan to submit a full application. Please note: you will need to have entered an Expression of Interest in order to proceed to stage two. The Studio is open only to postgraduate string students enrolled at the RNCM in 25/26.

Stage Two

Deadline: Wednesday 17 September 17:00

1. You’ll need to submit a recording of up to 5 minutes in length, including two varying styles of music. We welcome recording of contemporary music, as well as solo/chamber repertoire from any style/period. Orchestral recordings will not be accepted. Submissions can be in audio or video format and you’ll need to upload them to a platform such as YouTube, Dropbox, Soundcloud and generate a link you can share with us.
2. Along with your recording, you’ll need to write a short statement (c 250 words) which outlines why you wish to be part of the Manchester Collective Studio, and what you hope to gain from the experience. Please submit this as a Word or PDF document (see below).

Please email your written statement and all links to your recordings to our Chief Executive Linda Begbie at [email protected] Ensure that your links are viable and take us to information that is fully accessible and up-to-date. This information must reach us before the deadline of 17 September at 17:00.

Your recordings and statements will be considered by a panel of Manchester Collective staff including Rakhi Singh and Jasmin Kent Rodgman (Co-Artistic Directors). Shortlisted applicants will be invited to our Stage Three live audition.

Stage Three

Audition Date: Thursday 02 October 10:00 – 17:00

Shortlisted applicants will be selected to audition in person at the RNCM, and we will let you know if you have been successful by Monday 22 September at the latest.

If invited to audition, you will be expected to present two short solo performances (6-7 mins maximum). Repertoire is free choice and should be something that represents you well, musically. Performances will be unaccompanied.

You will then join players from Manchester Collective for a 20-minute rehearsal playing the following repertoire:

1. Violinists, violists and cellists:

(Violinists: Learn Violin 1 part only for all pieces)

(Cellists: For the Buchimish, prepare the highlighted lines in Full Score)

Panufnik – Last Movement: Adagio Sostenuto from String Quartet No. 3
Erwin Schulhoff – No. 1 Alla Valse Viennese only: from 5 Pieces for String Quartet
Dowland – Pavane Lacrymae
Buchimish – arr Rakhi Singh

2. Double Bass:

Dowland – Pavane Lacrymae
Buchimish – arr Rakhi Singh

Music can be found here on RNCM Moodle.

Top Tips!

• Do your best and bring your authentic self. We aren’t interested in musicians as carbon copies. We are interested in how you think, feel and communicate through music. We don’t expect you to be the perfectly finished article, but we are looking for people with real curiosity and commitment as well as talent.
• Keep your written statement short and to the point. Read it out loud, to yourself or to a friend. Are you answering the question of why you want to engage with this opportunity and what you hope to gain? Don’t simply copy and paste wording from your CV or biography – speak to us in your statement.
• Make sure this is right for you. Check out Manchester Collective. Take a deep dive into our YouTube channel or find us on Spotify. Look at the shows we’ve done by exploring the back catalogue on our website. Our approach is distinctive and it isn’t for everyone. But if it lights a fire in you, make an application.
• In your short recording/audition performances, make sure you bring music you love. Check the links to your recordings work. Then double check. Check the deadlines, read the requirements. Check the detail. And check again!

Thanks for your interest in Manchester Collective and best of luck with your application

Important Notes for students about the Manchester Collective Studio:

• Strings can apply for and audition for multiple RNCM Professional Experience Schemes with the local orchestras, but if offered places on multiple Schemes cannot take more than one.
• All applicants are eligible to submit a first-round video submission.
• You cannot re-apply for schemes if you have completed them in any previous years.
• If you are on the Collective’s extras list, you cannot apply to take part in the Manchester Collective Studio.
• You will not receive any payment for involvement in the Manchester Collective Studio.
• Successful auditionees cannot undertake freelance work with the Collective until all Manchester Collective Studio dates have been completed.
• Late applications will not be accepted, and individual receipt of auditions will not be acknowledged.

Auditions

Auditions are a key part of Professional Experience Schemes and it is considered unprofessional to cancel at short notice. As such, any applicant withdrawing at less than 72 hours’ notice prior to audition will be ineligible to apply to that orchestra again.

Professional Placement Module

If you intend to use the Manchester Collective Studio for the Professional Placement module please keep copies of all of your applications (CV, covering letter and application pro forma) as you will be required to submit them at the end of the year as part of your Professional Placement portfolio.

You can choose to use the Manchester Collective Studio for the Professional Placement module (dependant on reaching the appropriate stage) but you do not have to choose the module in order to undertake the Manchester Collective Studio.

For questions about Professional Placement modules, please contact Andrea Vogler [email protected].