Professional Experience Scheme 25/26: RNS Moves

Applications are now open for the RNS Moves Professional Experience Scheme.

Open to third and fourth year undergraduates and all postgraduates enrolled at the RNCM in 2025-2026 who meet one of the following criteria:

• Students at RNCM who identify as d/Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent.
• Those who do not identify as the above but who have faced challenges working in traditional orchestral settings, and for whom working in a more inclusive way would be beneficial.

NB. Applicants must be 18 or over for safeguarding reasons.

Applicants may offer any instrument – not just those found in traditional orchestras. This includes musicians who are jazz/electronic based, and Classical performers. Applicants should note that RNS Moves has primarily classical roots but is open to experimenting and exploring working in different musical styles.

Find out more about RNS Moves on our website.

Deadline for applications: 1pm, Thursday 30 October 2025

Application form

Key information is outlined below, but if you require additional support or guidance, please email Abigail Flood, Ensembles Administrator, or call 0161 907 5275 / 0797 655 6983.

The Scheme

RNS Moves is a one-of-a-kind musical ensemble made up of professional disabled musicians and non-disabled musicians from Royal Northern Sinfonia. Together, they are pioneering a new style of inclusive music-making with improvisation and experimentation at its heart.

This is the first year of a bespoke programme unique to the RNCM. It is designed to create an opportunity for RNCM students to experience rehearsing and performing in an inclusive ensemble, as well as learning from the members of RNS Moves.

Activity and Time Commitment

We appreciate that student life is busy, and we don’t want to overload you with commitments during the scheme. Below is an outline of planned activity:

Monday 1 December 2025
RNS Moves to notify students successful on PES by email.

December 2025 – January 2026
RNS Moves Welcome Online Session for successful students.

Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 March 2026
RNS Moves PES students to participate in rehearsals and performance at The Glasshouse.

Tuesday 17 March 2026
Repeat performance at RNCM Concert Hall.

End of scheme

An opportunity for feedback to be given and for you to share with us your experience of the scheme.

Deadline for application: 1pm, Thursday 30 October 2025

Application Requirements

1. Application Form: Please complete the application form.
2. As part of this first stage, you will need to prepare a short statement outlining why you wish to take part in the RNS Moves PES as opposed to the others on offer, and what you hope to gain from the experience. This can also be submitted as a video attachment if preferred.
3. There will also be space to propose a set of 3 pieces that should demonstrate how your instrument might perform within the line-up of RNS Moves. The ensemble’s line-up varies for each project, but can include string quartet, wind, brass, percussion, harp, piano, Headspace, Linnstrument, recorder and robo-recorder.
4. You will also need to submit an audio-visual recording. This should be an individual piece of your choosing, max 5 minutes. The video must be submitted as an mp4 file, recorded in one take, not edited in any way and clearly labelled with your name and instrument. Please submit recordings to Abigail Flood, Ensembles Administrator.

Auditions:

Candidates being invited to attend auditions will be contacted by Wednesday 12 November.

Auditions will be held at RNCM Concert Hall on Wednesday 26 November. Please hold 14:30-21:30, with more exact timings to follow. The audition panel will be comprised of Tristan Gurney (Artistic Director) and two members of the ensemble along with John Habron-James (Head of Music, Health and Wellbeing at RNCM). The students chosen to participate are at the discretion of the panel.

The RNS Moves PES audition requirements are:

1. Individual short performance of your own choice, max 5 mins. Repertoire should be something that represents you well, musically, and can be the same piece submitted at the application stage. Performances will be unaccompanied.
2. The panel will invite you for a 10-minute discussion following the audition. This will be a discussion around the scheme, where you will be given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. You will also be asked to talk the panel through the set of 3 pieces which you devised for the application.
3. Group work. You will then join RNS Moves players from the panel, along with other auditionees, to workshop the Bergstrom Nielsen graphic score.

Following auditions, written / verbal audition feedback for all students will be provided by the audition panel.

Royal Northern Sinfonia’s expectations of students

The musicians and administrators of RNS Moves expect students to:

• Prepare thoroughly and to a professional standard for rehearsals
• Display an open-minded attitude to discussing issues that may arise
• Respond promptly to all communications in relation to the scheme
• Complete an evaluation of the scheme at the end of their placement
• Ensure their availability for the March dates mentioned above prior to application
• Understand that RNS Moves remain the sole decision maker about progression of each individual PES student towards their exact involvement in the performance project. RNS Moves will communicate this information directly with the PES students on an ongoing basis.

Thank you for your interest in RNS Moves and good luck with your application.