Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) has put out an international call for conservatoire-level musicians to apply for its Rising Stars programme.
The call-out invites applications from three fields of musician.
For the first time, early career woodwind musicians (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn) are invited to apply for a tenure offering access to world-class training, mentoring by clarinettist Mark Simpson, networking and development opportunities. The mentorship will culminate in a public performance as part of EIF’s series of evening concerts at The Hub. There is also an additional performance in a community setting as part of the EIF’s Discovery & Participation work. Five woodwind places are available.
The Rising Stars programme is also calling out for up to six talented, pre-professional string players (violin, viola, cello, double bass) to work with and play alongside acclaimed musicians, as well as the EIF’s first cohort of Rising Stars, who will share their learning from across three years of participation in the programme. The tenure will include an interactive public concert at The Hub, with a programme including a set list of canon classical chamber music that is determined in advance by participants. Inspired by the spirit of jazz, the concert will also have final pieces and performers selected at random by audience members for a spontaneous, unrehearsed performance. There is also an additional performance in an NHS setting as part of the EIF’s Discovery & Participation work.
The third call-out is for eight exceptional, pre-professional singers (two each of soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and bass). Those chosen will take part in a series of rehearsals and masterclasses led by song and chamber music pianist and coach James Baillieu, culminating in a public performance as part of EIF’s chamber music series of morning concerts at The Queen’s Hall. Other opportunities will include performances at Usher Hall; roles for the sopranos and mezzos in a concert performance of Puccini’s Suor Angelica; and singing alongside the Edinburgh Festival Chorus in performances of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and Mendelssohn’s Elijah at the EIF.
This is the third consecutive year that the EIF has run the programme to champion and support emerging talent. In total there are 26 vocal and instrumental participants in the programme. The 2023 string cohort will perform alongside mentor and EIF Director Nicola Benedetti in a tribute to Yehudi Menuhin at Usher Hall during the Festival this August.
The 2025 Edinburgh International Festival takes place from 1–24 August.
Full guidance for Rising Star opportunities and submission instructions are available here.
