The actual contract period is July 7 through August 9, 2008
We begin accepting applications on December 1, 2007.
Application deadline for the 2008 program is February 1, 2008.
We must receive all your application material at the Festival office on or before Feb 1.
All applicants will be notified of the results by March 1
If you have questions, email David Gordon

Eligibility:

The program is intended for singers with a demonstrated special interest in the music of the Baroque era (opera and oratorio), and who are on the verge of a professional singing career.

Applicants should have completed graduate-level voice studies or roughly the equivalent in experience and/or training, as well as some actual performing experience in Baroque repertoire, however modest.

There is absolutely no official age limit or age restriction. However we do tend to choose singers at the very "beginning" of their careers, rather than more experienced professionals. As a reference point, the average age of recent participants is 25-30. Follow this link to read about the 2008 participants. Here's a list of all participants since 1985.

NON-US CITIZENS PLEASE NOTE: The Carmel Bach Festival regrets it is no longer able to assist non-US citizens in obtaining visas to enter the USA for the purpose of participating in this program. If you wish to apply for this program, you must have a visa, green card, or other form of US work permit valid for the period of the Bach Festival. You must already have this permit at the time of application deadline, or we will be unable to cosider your application.

The Carmel Bach Festival is an equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply:

We charge no application fee; no special application form is needed. Simply send the following material to us at the Carmel Bach Festival mailing address listed below. Application material is not returnable.

Resume of your education, training, and onstage experience. Tell us about yourself.

Photo

Repertoire list: music you have performed or studied (opera/oratorio). Although we are especially interested in your experience in Baroque music, we do appreciate having an overview of your repertoire.

Audio CD or cassette tape. Please include a minimum of three selections from the baroque era. At least one work should be in German, and at least one by Bach. Please be sure your name is written on the cassette or CD.

Please Note: Audio CD or cassette tape only. We are unable to accept video tapes, DVDs, mini disks, or emailed mp3 files as audition material.

Letter(s) of recommendation from music professional(s) other than your current teacher .(A letter of recommendation is OPTIONAL, and is not a requirement, but is strongly advised).

Letters of recommendation may be emailed or sent as email attachments if desired. Letters of recommendation may be emailed directly to david@bachfestival.org.

Anything else! Tell us about yourself! We really do give close attention to all material you send! Please include any additional information you believe is of interest!

Please DO NOT send resumés, bios, photos, or mp3s as email attachments. We prefer to receive that sort of material in hardcopy form. (You may send letters of recommendation as email or as email attachments.)

Sending your material:

If you are sending material close to the deadline (February 1) we highly recommend the use of UPS, FedEx, DHL, or other courier service. You can track your shipment and be sure of when it will be deilvered directly to our office.

Please send resumes and photos as hardcopies only. Please do not send documents, mp3s, or photos as email attachments.

Please label everything you send us. You'd be surprised how much material arrives in our office without names and/or phone numbers.

All your application material must arrive at the Bach Festival office in Carmel no later than February 1, 2008. This is not a postmark deadline. We must receive all your material on or before that date. See mailing address below.

Read "Tips for Applicants"

We will personally notify you (by mail) of the audition results in late February.