2018/19 Monteverdi Apprentices

​In what is now the eighth iteration of the Monteverdi Apprentices Programme, we are very pleased to be joined by a new cohort of young singers for the 2018/19 season:

Sam Cobb (Soprano)
Jonathan Hanley (Tenor)
Laura Jarrell (Soprano)
Charlotte La Thrope (Soprano)
Michael Lafferty (Baritone)
Angus McPhee (Baritone)
Victoria Meteyard (Soprano)
James Quilligan (Bass-Baritone)
Margarita Slepakova (Mezzo-Soprano)

These nine singers will be supported throughout their Apprenticeship by six members of the Monteverdi Choir who will act as their mentors on both an artistic and personal level. For 2018/19 our six mentors are:

Peter Davoren
Martha McLorinan
Eleanor Meynell
Graham Neal
Lawrence Wallington
Christopher Webb

Our Apprentices will join us in all major concert projects during 2018/19 as members of the Monteverdi Choir, while also receiving the additional benefits of being a dedicated Apprentice, and taking part in projects of their own. The Apprentice Programme offers:

• Training in all aspects of being a professional musician. Intensive workshops allow Apprentices to receive personal and group tuition from Sir John Eliot Gardiner and established musicians who act as mentors. Training covers historically-informed performance practice; vocal technique, diction and language tuition; music interpretation and contextual insights on composers and repertoire; and yoga to improve suppleness and breathing.

• Mentoring to the highest level of choral singing internationally. Each Apprentice is matched to an experienced member of the Monteverdi Choir and receives artistic advice and practical support from their mentor throughout the year.

• Participation in exclusive pre-rehearsal sessions with Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Apprentices take part in separate preliminary rehearsals to help them become familiar with the repertoire and specific techniques before joining the ensembles in rehearsal for each project.

• Working, touring and performing a wide repertoire. We believe that it is vital to young musicians to gain early experience of the rigours of international touring, and our feedback from past participants tells us how much this is valued. We offer multiple opportunities to perform alongside the Monteverdi ensembles in paid professional engagements.

• Launching a performing career. Apprentices learn first-hand about the exacting demands and working practices of an internationally-renowned ensemble. Workshops also culminate in showcase performances to industry professionals, family and supporters to prepare Apprentices for marketing themselves in their burgeoning careers.

We look forward to working with these brilliant young musicians on everything from Handel to Verdi during the 2018/19 season. To find out more about our Apprentices, please visit our current Apprentice Biography page and for their thoughts on projects they have taken part in so far, click here.