Genesis Sixteen
For any questions or queries about this year’s application process, please contact Lily Smith, the Genesis Sixteen Manager, on lily@thesixteen.com
The Genesis Sixteen programme lasts for one year, during which singers take part in two week-long courses and two weekend courses. All courses are residential. There are 22 places available on the programme each year. To be eligible for the 2026-27 programme you must be aged between 18 and 23 on Sunday 24 August 2026, be a permanent UK or Republic of Ireland citizen (i.e., possess a UK or Republic of Ireland passport), be resident in these countries for the duration of the programme, and be free for all the course dates without exception, as follows:
Course 1: Oxford
Sunday 23 – Saturday 29 August 2026
Course 2: Barnsley
Friday 6 – Sunday 8 November 2026
Course 3: Cardiff
Friday 5 – Sunday 7 February 2027
Course 4: Location TBC
Sunday 4 – Sunday 11 July 2027 (4 July is a travel day)
Applications for the 2026-27 cohort are now open. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 23 January 2026.
—
To apply please:
- complete the online application form here
- as part of the application process, you will be asked to supply names and contact email addresses for TWO separate referees who can be contacted by us to supply a supporting reference. At least one of your chosen referees should be able to comment on your choral experience and music making abilities. Examples of referees you could choose are: choir leaders; music teachers from school; university lecturers; singing teachers; personal tutors. If you are unsure of who to choose, please get in touch with Lily (G16 Manager, Maternity Cover) on lily@thesixteen.com to discuss options.
If you would prefer to apply using a Microsoft Word document, please email lily@thesixteen.com to request this.
The Sixteen is committed to delivering programmes that promote inclusion and diversity and strive to remove barriers making choral singing accessible to all. We would therefore like to strongly encourage applications from singers of all backgrounds.
Auditions
Auditions will take place in London, Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester between February and March 2026.
2026 Audition Dates
London: Tuesday 17 February, Thursday 19 February, Friday 20 February, Thursday 26 February, Thursday 12 March and Friday 13 March (all at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square)
Belfast: Monday 23 February (at St Columba’s Church, Knock, Belfast)
Birmingham: Wednesday 25 February & Monday 2 March (at University of Birmingham)
Glasgow: Tuesday 10 March (at Scottish Opera, Elmbank Crescent)
Leeds: Wednesday 11 March & Tuesday 17 March (at Leeds Cathedral)
Manchester: Monday 16 March & Tuesday 17 March (at Chetham’s School of Music)
Bristol: Friday 27 March (at St George’s, Brandon Hill)
Audition Repertoire
Should you be successful in receiving an audition you will be asked to sing the following:
- One song from a prescribed set list provided by The Sixteen* (see below)
- A second contrasting, classical song from any period of your choice
- A short sight-reading test (if time permits)
Please choose one piece from the repertoire list provided here, and a second piece of your own choosing. Your own choice piece can be from any era of classical music and should ideally contrast with the piece you have prepared from the set list. Common choices include art song, lieder, opera arias and unaccompanied folk song settings. Please choose a piece no longer than 3-4 minutes in length.
*If you have auditioned for us before, you are warmly encouraged to pick a new piece from the prescribed set piece list, one different to what you may have performed in previous years – this is a great exercise to stretch and challenge yourself, but by no means compulsory.
You will not have a rehearsal with the pianist prior to the audition, but the panel and accompanist will invite you to take some time at the beginning of your audition to discuss tempi, repeats, etc. with the accompanist. All auditions are filmed for shortlisting purposes.
All candidates will receive written feedback following the audition, and we do our best to make the experience as enjoyable and educational as possible.
