Today the Edinburgh International Festival issued a call to Scotland’s young people to lend their voice in realising its spectacular opening event.
The Standard Life Aberdeen Opening Event: Five Telegrams is a free, outdoor performance comprising large-scale illuminations and projections on the Usher Hall and a new work for orchestra and chorus which opens the International Festival on the 3 August 2018.
The Standard Life Aberdeen Opening Event: Five Telegrams marks both 100 years since the end of the First World War and celebrates Scotland’s Year of Young People, and will be co-designed by young people, providing a poignant reflection on the thousands of young lives lost in the First World War.
Young performers are invited to participate in bringing to life the artistic vision of event creators Anna Meredith, one of the country’s most exciting contemporary composers, and Tony Award winning artists 59 Productions. 250 young people from across Scotland are being sought to form a youth chorus which will perform live during the event. This incredible opportunity is open to young people aged 16 – 26 who would enjoy singing with their peers and would like to take part in the International Festival in front of an audience of thousands, as part of this unique event.
The youth chorus will be led by Stephen Deazley, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Love Music Community Choir. No previous singing experience is required as participants will be guided through the rehearsal and performance process. All participants will also receive a Year of Young People Participation Certificate signed by the First Minister.
A range of job opportunities specifically for young people are also announced today which will see them take on active roles across every aspect of the event. Roles available include Camera Operators and Filming Coordinators to assist in capturing the event, and Event Assistants who will work directly alongside International Festival staff to ensure the successful promotion and delivery of the Opening Event.
The International Festival is also working in partnership with the University of Edinburgh as second year and third year students from Edinburgh College of Art’s Performance Costume course work to create designs and costumes which will feature as part of the event. The 35 students involved in the project have co-designed a creative brief centred on Five Telegram’s core themes and have collaborated with 59 Productions and Anna Meredith directly throughout their creative process.
To apply to be a youth chorus participant of Standard Life Aberdeen Opening Event: Five Telegrams, please complete the online application form.
Further details on the range of job opportunities and how to get involved can be found here.
