Orvieto Musica Festival Residency

Sydney Eisteddfod invites all string players and pianists, as well as existing quartets, to apply to become the 2025 Sydney Eisteddfod Quartet and undertake a residency at Orvieto Musica 2025, a premiere chamber music festival held in Umbria, Italy.

This partnership sends four young musicians from Australia to the festival to create inspiring concerts, receive valuable international performing experiences and meet colleagues from around the world. The selected musicians will experience intimate chamber music in the beautiful Umbrian hill town of Orvieto. The festival welcomes emerging and professional artists from around the world in a select, diverse, world-class line-up of instrumental and vocal programs.

Key dates

Applications Open: 13 December, 2024
Video Auditions Due By: 24 January, 2025
Second-Round Live Auditions: 6-8 February, 2025 (TBC)
Orvieto Musica Festival: 15 June – 5 July, 2025

The Opportunity

Sydney Eisteddfod will be forming a string quartet to be in residence in Orvieto Musica Festival between 15 June and 5 July 2025. Selected players will receive:

Return flights and accommodation in Italy
Masterclasses during the festival
Performing in a feature concert
Four chamber music performances
Sightseeing trips and language lessons.

The selected musicians contribute US$500 each towards to festival enrolment.

Find out more about the Orvieto Musica Festival: https://www.orvietomusica.org/

Read about the experience of the Sydney Eisteddfod Quartet in 2024: https://www.orvietomusica.org/the-sydney-eisteddfod-quartet-reflects-on-their-time-at-orvieto-musica/

Criteria

Open to string players and pianists over 18 years of age on 24 January 2025. Soloists, as well as existing quartets, are welcome to apply. You must hold a current passport, be available to travel independently and be in attendance at the festival between 15 June and 5 July 2025.

Cost to audition $40.

Video Audition

Upload:

A Resume, highlighting your experience working in an ensemble
A video of you performing two contrasting works, accompanied or unaccompanied, with a total performance time of up to 10 minutes. Please include an introduction of the work’s title and composer.
A letter of recommendation from a teacher or industry representative

Progression to the second round will be selected by two panellists, who are looking to combine soloists or select an existing group.

Second Round Live Audition

Candidates who progress to the second round will be required to attend an in-person audition and workshop at Sydney Eisteddfod Chippen Street Creative Hub, to assess their suitability and compatibility for this project.

Further details will be provided to the candidates at the time of progression to this round.

FAQs

Is there a fee for audition?

Yes. The fee is $40.00 per person or group.

Do I get any feedback from my audition?

We are unable to provide individual feedback on auditions. All information gained through the audition process is private and confidential. This mirrors the audition processes in the music profession, and we strive to prepare musicians for the reality of professional audition and performance standards and procedures.

Who is on the panel?

The panellists will be announced shortly.

If I am selected, what do I have to pay?

The selected musicians will contribute US$500 each towards to festival enrolment. All flights, accommodation and festival passes are provided, as well as breakfast and a meal voucher per day.

For all further queries, please contact [email protected].