Do you love singing with others?

Could your passion be your future career?

If you are a teenager who loves singing in a choir and would like to take your singing skills to the next level, Tenebrae Academy is for you.

What is Tenebrae Academy?

Tenebrae Academy is a fully funded choral training programme for teenagers who love singing in a choir but currently face challenges and limited opportunities to progress.

Led by members of the internationally renowned chamber choir Tenebrae and their director, Nigel Short, this opportunity will develop your choral singing skills and prepare you for the next step in your musical journey.

The 2026–27 programme will run across six Saturdays (full days) and will culminate in a public concert. Through coaching and side-by-side singing opportunities, the programme will help you develop key choral skills such as sight-reading and ensemble singing in a friendly and encouraging environment. You will explore potential pathways in choral music and receive guidance to help you take your next step after completing the Academy programme. This will also be a great chance to meet other like-minded young people, create fun memories, and make friends through shared experiences.

Tenebrae Academy is generously supported by the Brindle Foundation.

Where will Tenebrae Academy take place?

The 2026/27 programme will be based in central London.

Who is Tenebrae Academy for?

We are committed to removing barriers to access and providing opportunities to teenagers from backgrounds currently underrepresented in choral music. We especially encourage applications from young people from a global majority background (Black, Asian and traditionally underrepresented ethnic groups), as well as those from low-income households who attend state school or are home-schooled.

We are looking for:

• Young people who love singing in a choir, who want to develop their ensemble singing skills and learn about choral singing as a career path.
• Applicants between Year 9 – Year 13 (or equivalent if they are home-schooled) at the time of application.
• Applicants with some experience of singing in a choir. There is no requirement to have taken any singing exams or be able to read music.
• Applicants who live in the UK and are able to attend all Academy sessions in central London (please see below for dates).

Applicants should not have taken part in the Tenebrae Academy before.

Tenebrae Academy 2026-27 dates

Successful applicants will need to be available for all the dates listed below. These Saturday sessions will take place in central London, starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm.

• Autumn term: 19 September, 17 October, 21 November 2026
• Spring term: 23 January, 6 February, 13 March 2027
• End of year concert: 17 April 2027

Will this cost me anything?

No – the sessions are fully subsidised for all participants, thanks to the generous support of the Brindle Foundation.

We will cover the cost of your tube, train or bus travel within London (TFL daily off-peak fare, zones 1-9). Additional support is available for participants with special access needs.

Unfortunately, we are unable to cover travel costs from outside of London.

How do I apply for Tenebrae Academy?

Applications for sopranos and altos are now closed. We are accepting late applications from tenors and basses which should be submitted by 9am on Friday 29 May 2026 by filling in this form which asks for some key information from you and your parent/guardian.

For your application, we’d like you to:

1. Audio-record yourself singing a short song (maximum 3 minutes). You can do this on a smartphone or tablet; it does not need to be of professional quality. It can be either accompanied or unaccompanied.
2. Write (maximum 250 words), or audio-record a short explanation of why you would like to take part in this programme, and what role you would like music to play in your future.
3. Ask the leader of the choir or ensemble you currently sing in or have sung in the past to write (maximum 200 words) or record (audio or video) a short support statement telling us why you are a great candidate for this programme. This person could also be a music teacher or another staff member from your school who knows your musical ability well.

Application Form