Conducting Fellowships 2027
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs is delighted to announce the third year of its incredibly popular Conducting Fellows program. These Fellowships offer two aspiring conductors the opportunity to immerse themselves in choral/orchestral repertoire for 12 months, mentored by experienced conducting professionals and learning to lead rehearsals and prepare for performances.
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs has become a central feature of Sydney’s cultural landscape, performing concerts, advocating for choral singing, and commissioning composers for over 100 years. SPC is a Resident Company at the Sydney Opera House, is the long-term Chorus for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, as well as running its own self-promoted concert series every year. These Fellowships present an invaluable opportunity for two conductors to immerse themselves in this rich musical landscape, at the forefront of classical music-making in this country and to be guided by recognised figures in the industry.
DETAILS
The Conducting Fellows will receive mentoring from:
Artistic & Music Director – Brett Weymark OAM
Associate Music Director – Dr. Elizabeth Scott
Assistant Chorus Master & Principal Repetiteur – Tim Cunniffe
Place of work
- SPC’s offices and rehearsal studio are situated at: Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Dawes Point, Sydney, NSW 2000
- Rehearsals are at our Choirs Rehearsal Studio at Walsh Bay, or at other central Sydney venues
- Performances are at the Sydney Opera House, or other Sydney venues (occasionally there will be additional performances outside of Sydney for which appropriate expenses will be covered)
Fellowship Bursaries
Each Conducting Fellow will receive a bursary of $15,000 in 3x $5,000 installments:
1st February $5,000
1st July $5,000
1st December $5,000
Responsibilities
The Conducting Fellows will begin the year by attending and following rehearsals by Sydney Philharmonia’s Music Staff. The Fellows will be given increased opportunity to take parts of rehearsals as the year progresses, as well as sectional rehearsals. In past years, Conducting Fellows have also had the opportunity to conduct in SPC performances, including at the Sydney Opera House.
During the year the Conducting Fellows should expect to:
- Attend all the rehearsals for the projects they are assigned to
- Prepare all the music for the projects that they are assigned to
- Be ready to take rehearsals or sectional rehearsals
- Assist the SPC Music Staff in connection to their projects
- Assist with the preparation of teaching materials (teaching guides etc.) when required
- Attend, play for and occasionally lead Chorus warm-up sessions
- Act as Assistant to the Conductor when in performance week (i.e. checking for balance/score preparation/bowings etc)
- Occasional attendance at Music Staff meetings (as required)
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- Mentoring and support from the Music Staff
- Opportunities to rehearse SPC Choruses
- Music from all the SPC programs during the year
- A Fellowship bursary of $15,000
Applicants:
- Must be eligible to work in Australia
- Must be able to regularly attend rehearsals and performances in Sydney for the calendar year 2027
- Must pass a NSW Working with Children Check
- Must be prepared to lead choir rehearsals
- Should have basic piano skills (i.e. able to take a choir warm-up from the piano)
HOW TO APPLY
Please provide, no later than midnight on Sunday, 18 October 2026, and by filling in the form at the bottom of this page:
- a one page (A4) letter setting out why you are motivated by this opportunity
- your CV
- an audio-visual recording of you conducting a rehearsal/performance of any music ensemble
AUDITION/INTERVIEW
Shortlisted applicants will be asked for an interview, and to lead part of a rehearsal with SPC Choristers.
TIMELINE
Application Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 18 October 2026
Interviews: Tuesday, 1 December 2026*
Audition with choir: 18:30-20:30, Monday, 7 December 2026*+
Fellowship start: Monday, 1 February 2027
*Interviews & auditions will take place at our Rehearsal Studio, Wharf 4/5, 15 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, Dawes Point, Sydney, NSW 2000
+Repertoire TBC
