In collaboration with Concertgebouw Brugge, Collegium Vocale Gent is organising a Bach masterclass for young vocal soloists as part of Bach Academy Bruges 2027.

Over four days, renowned conductor Philippe Herreweghe and celebrated bass Peter Kooij will guide and coach emerging singers in the fascinating world of Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantatas.

The masterclass offers eight young vocal soloists a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding and refine their interpretation of Bach’s vocal music. Through six individual coaching sessions, participants will work intensively on the performance and interpretation of solo arias and recitatives selected from a range of Bach’s vocal works.

The masterclass culminates in a presentation concert, featuring the eight participants accompanied by the orchestra of Collegium Vocale Gent. This concert forms part of the Bach Academy Bruges 2027, offering the young singers the opportunity to share the results of their work with an audience.

Interested in taking part?

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Find out when, where, how!

DATES

The next auditions will take place in :

Ghent (BE)      20-22 October 2026  [Quatre Mains Piano’s, Kwaadham 52, 9000 Gent] – fully booked

Brugge (BE)     13-14 January 2027  [Concertgebouw Brugge, ‘t Zand 34, 8000 Brugge]

They will be judged by Dominique Verkinderen and Matthias Lutze .

More information & contact: Dominique Verkinderen > dominique@collegiumvocale.com 

APPLICATIONS FOR AUDITIONS

If not done already, the applicants are requested to send the following information and material to dominique@collegiumvocale.com

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. A personal information form, including your name, voice-type, address, telephone/mobile number, e-mail, date & place of birth & nationality
3. A picture of yourself
4. Details of the complete programme that you intend to sing
5. A recent recording with an aria or Lied as mp3 file (max. 5MB) or a link to your YouTube page

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

You will be required to prepare:
1. An aria of your choice by J.S.Bach or G.F.Handel (at your chosen pitch of A=440 or 415 Hz)
2. A Lied of your choice from the romantic German repertoire (countertenors can sing a song by Dowland or Purcell for example).
3. For choir and ensemble singers – the motet ‘Singet dem Herrn’ BWV 225 by J.S.Bach (only the final part, from bar 256).
4. Soloists are requiered to sing an additional aria from the romantic repertoire.

Please note: Piano A = 440 or A = 415 for baroque repertoire

Readable and well organised scores must be sent by normal, unregistered mail to the accompanist at least 5 weeks before the auditions:

Professor Jonathan Alder | Alfredius Eols Udde 4, 13237 Saltsjö-Boo | Sweden

Please write on the scores whether you want 415/440 Hz

CONTACT

Collegium Vocale Gent
Dominique Verkinderen – casting and auditions
t +32 9 265 90 54 | m +32 475 97 67 97
dominique@collegiumvocale.com |

www.collegiumvocale.com