Freeth Cartwright Hidden Voices Singing Bursary
ON THE LOOK OUT FOR LOCAL SINGING TALENT
Auditions are currently taking place for Hidden Voices – a singing competition run by Magdala, Nottingham’s community-based musical training organisation and sponsored by local solicitors Freeth Cartwright LLP.
The winner will receive free singing lessons for a year under the supervision of Michelle Wegwart, founder of Magdala and an international voice teacher whose pupils include some of today’s leading opera singers. They will also have full membership of Magdala for a year, taking part in rehearsals, workshops, concerts and productions across Nottinghamshire.
Says Michelle: “We are looking for people with a burning ambition to sing. Commitment is far more important than the finished product, so you don’t need to have any prior singing experience.”
Application forms can be obtained from Magdala’s website at http://www.magdalanottingham.com/, or simply call Magdala on 0115 962 6355 for an audition slot. Applicants must be aged 16 or over.
All entries must be received by Friday 26th September 2008. All entrants will have the chance to sing a song of their choice and successful applicants will be invited to a second round of auditions at Freeth Cartwright’s Nottingham office, from which a final winner will be selected.
This is the third consecutive year Freeth Cartwright has sponsored the competition. Chairman Colin Flanagan said: “We have been delighted with the previous winners of the competition, who I am pleased to say have all continued their association with Magdala at the end of their bursary year.
“Since our initial partnership with Magdala began, we have developed a close relationship, not only through the singing competition but also taking their Opera Start Education Workshop into a couple of our link schools. These creative workshops build self-belief and raise levels of aspiration amongst the youngsters involved and members of Freeth Cartwright staff have also participated in the workshops.
“We are keen to participate within the communities in which we operate and this association enables us to give local residents a chance to aspire to something they might otherwise not have thought possible.”
Luke Potter, winner in 2006 along with Syreeta Masters, who received a runner up prize and last year’s winner, Lizzie Bond have all appeared on stage at Nottingham Playhouse with the Magdala Chorus and are about to support international opera star, Sir Willard White, who will be performing at a Gala Fundraising Dinner organised by Magdala at the end of September.
Magdala is a small, artist-led community organisation whose purpose is “to open up opportunities for people, through singing, to realise their potential, creating experiences which are life enhancing, life changing and life affirming”.
Magdala offers people from all backgrounds the chance to discover their voice, gain from the experience of making music together and rise to the challenge of doing so to the highest possible standard.