serena fenwick and summer programme:
now closed

training for music staff

We run several programmes for people who are looking to follo a career as a conductor, assistant conductor, music director or repetiteur.

summer programme

Our summer programme is for people who need hands-on experience. With two different strands depending on where you are in your development, you'll build your knowledge, experience and confidence by working with your peers and a hand-picked selection of industry mentors.  

serena fenwick programme

Building on our Serena Fenwick programmes for singers and stage managers, the Serena Fenwick programme for conductors is our bespoke 'career booster' programme. It's ideal for conductors at the start of their careers, especially if they haven't followed an 'established' career path.

the summer programme

creator strand (applications open spring 2025)

We did a lot of research in developing our new music staff programme, and what came up time and time again was that young conductors need to be conducting – they need opportunities to flex their creative muscles and conduct their own productions where they are in charge. It's the best way for them to learn, improve, and make a splash in the industry.

Our creator strand does just that. Under the mentorship of a world-class conductor, you will develop plans for a full-scale production alongside participants on our designer and director programmes. Our next summer programme for directors will run for a year before final performances in summer 2026. Applications will open in spring 2025.  

the collaborator strand

If you have musical experience (particularly working with singers) and excellent repetiteur skills, but you'll still be building basic skills and knowledge, the collaborator strand of our summer programme is for you.

You’ll be paired with an established musician who will inspire and mentor you and give you tailored career support and advice. Much like an assistant conductor or repetiteur, you'll spend time in the rehearsal room, working with and learning from our professional director and playing for rehearsals.

2025's summer programme will tackle a semi-staged version of Peter Grimes. Working with a professional director and conductor, you'll create a professional-standard show to be performed twice – at London's Cadogan Hall and Saffron Hall, just outside Cambridge. The programme will take place during June, with performances on 5 and 6 July. You'll need good availibility throughout June, but we're aware that you may still have conservatoire or university commitments – schedules will be built around the people who are offered a place and as a result might make good use of evenings and weekends.

the serena fenwick programme

The Serena Fenwick programme started out as a course for singers, providing 6 months of bespoke mentoring, group sessions, one-to-one sessions , advice and support. It was specifically targeted at people who needed something extra – whether that was because they'd had a different route into singing or something was holding them back or slowing them down, like financial or personal problems.

It was so successful we rolled out a version for stage managers, and now we're doing the same for directors and conductors. If you get a place on the Serena Fenwick programme, you'll get 6 months of personal mentoring from industry professionals, bespoke career guidance, CV advice and introductions to people in the industry. You'll also be able to take part in BYO's summer production and be put forward for shadowing opportunities with our industry partners over the summer.

The programme is open to all and is fully bespoke, with everything fitted around your existing knowledge and experience. However you'll need some good quality experience and need to be able to demonstrable commitment to pursuing a career in conducting.  

frequently asked questions

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Who is eligible to apply?

There are loads of different routes into a music staff career, so our minimum criteria are deliberately very low. But you must be over 18 and have a UK bank account in your name. Foreign applicants are welcome, but you must be able to satisfy those criteria. BYO isn't able to sponsor visas or offer advice.

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How much does it cost?

Taking part in any BYO programme is free, and there is no application fee beyond your membership to BYO hub.

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Are there bursaries or discounts on BYO hub membership?

We offer reduced or free BYO hub premium membership to care leavers, people granted asylum in the UK, people seeking asylum in the UK, full or part time carers, people with no immediate family or no connection to them, single parents, people with physical or mental disabilities and people with long term illnesses. Email hub@byo.org.uk to explain your circumstances. If your circumstances aren't listed but you feel like you need help, email us anyway.

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Is there financial support for taking part in programmes?

Once you're offered a place on the summer programme you'll be able to apply for bursaries to help with any travel or accomodation costs you might run into on the programme.

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Do I need formal music qualifications?

Technically, no. However applicants to the creator strand will need to be able to conduct an ensemble and lead music rehearsals. Applicants to the collaborator strand will need to be able to accompany entire rehearsals so will need advanced piano skills and technique. Applicants to the Serena Fenwick programme will need to be able to demonstrate conducting experience and a commitment to pursuing it as a career.

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Can I apply for both programmes?

Yes! If you're not sure then by all means select both – our selection panel will only offer you a place on a programme they think will benefit you.

how to apply

To be able to apply and audition for our music staff programme you need to have a premium hub membership, and you'll need to make sure your membership remains active throughout that process. It costs just £33 a year and unlocks access to all applications and live and online events that run throughout the year. If you're not already a premium member you'll be asked to become one before you can fill out the application form.

After the closing date, the applications panel will shortlist some applicants for an interview and working session with an established conductor (this'll take place over Zoom).

applications now closed