Professional Experience Scheme 26/27: Opera North (Horn & Trumpet)
Applications are now open for the Orchestra of Opera North (Horn & Trumpet) Professional Experience Scheme.
Open to: third and fourth year undergraduates and all postgraduates enrolled at the RNCM in 2026-2027 who are not on the Orchestra of Opera North’s extras list. You cannot re-apply if you have completed the Scheme in any previous years.
Deadline for application: 1pm, Thursday 25 June 2026
Auditions at RNCM: Tuesday 29 September
Full details: Moodle
Application form: HERE
Our Professional Experience Scheme with the Orchestra of Opera North is designed to give RNCM Wind, Horn, Trumpet and Percussion students first-hand experience as an orchestral musician in professional opera productions.
The Scheme
All applicants will receive an audition at the RNCM early in the Autumn Term which take place at RNCM on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
The audition requirements are:
Set piece
- Horn Concone: Study No. 25
- Trumpet Brandt: No. 4 (From 34 studies for Trumpet)
Orchestral excerpts can be found here.
No accompanist will be provided or expected at the audition.
All applicants are expected to present a short prescribed piece (unaccompanied) and selection of operatic excerpts for the audition, details of which can be found on Moodle.
NB Please note that PES audition times are often subject to change. Although these are kept to a minimum, any changes will be communicated as far in advance as possible.
Following the audition, selected students will take part in side-by-side workshops with the Orchestra’s Horn and Trumpet sections. This provides an opportunity to look at a range of operatic repertoire, and to gain immediate invaluable feedback and guidance from professional players.
A small number of students are subsequently invited to join the entire Orchestra of Opera North, taking part in and observing rehearsals in Leeds in preparation for their production of Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally. Students who make sufficient musical progress during this time may then be invited to take the seat of a player for one full performance.
Please note the Horn scheme this year will only go up to the rehearsal process and not progress further in to performances.
Stages 3 and 4 of the scheme will involve travel to Opera North in Leeds. All train travel costs will be reimbursed after you have completed your final patch on the scheme. (We are unable to send refunds whilst you are still taking part in the scheme.) Further information on this will be sent before Stage 3.
Key information relating to all RNCM Professional Experience Schemes, is outlined within this document. If you require additional support or guidance, please email Abby Flood, Ensembles Administrator.
M 07976 556983 / E [email protected]
Overview
Stage 1
Tuesday 29 September
Auditions at the RNCM.
Students will receive written feedback from these auditions.
Stage 2
Monday 9 November
Side-by-side workshop at the RNCM for those students invited after audition – with Opera North Horn or Trumpet sections.
Students will receive verbal feedback during this session.
Stage 3
Opera North’s Opera Production (Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally)
Orchestra-alone Rehearsals and Sitzprobe (January – March 2027)
RNCM students who have been successful at Stage 2 will listen and play alongside ON players in the Orchestra-alone and Sitzprobe rehearsals of Dead Man Walking
Please note: dates and times are subject to possible alteration, and all successful students may not be required for all dates.
Stage and Orchestra and Dress Rehearsals (January – March 2027)
RNCM students will play in place of ON players in the Stage and Orchestra rehearsals. This is done on a rotational basis and ON players will observe from the pit or auditorium.
The Dress Rehearsal and First and Second performances will be performed by ON players. After this, students may be chosen to undertake a performance later in the run.
Stage 4 – Trumpet Scheme Only
RNCM students who are selected will be asked to play in one performance in either Leeds (Grand Theatre) or Salford (The Lowry). This will take place during the period February – March 2027 (exact date TBC).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE SCHEMES: KEY INFORMATION
- You can apply and audition for multiple RNCM Professional Experience Schemes and all applicants are guaranteed an audition.
- You cannot re-apply if you have completed it in any previous years.
- If you are on an orchestra’s extras list, you cannot apply to take part in their Professional Experience Scheme.
- You will not receive any payment for involvement in RNCM Professional Experience Schemes.
- Successful auditionees cannot undertake freelance work with the orchestra until all Professional Experience Scheme dates have been completed.
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.
Accompanists
Orchestras within the Professional Experience Schemes vary in their provision of accompanists at audition. All Opera North auditions are unaccompanied.
Postgraduates Only
If you intend to use the Professional Experience Scheme for the Professional Placement module please keep copies of all Professional Experience Scheme 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 Professional Experience Scheme 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 Professional Experience Scheme.
For questions about Professional Placement modules, please contact Andrea Vogler [email protected]
