Vacancy NKK NXT

Vacancy NKK NXT 24/25

The Netherlands Chamber Choir is looking for trainees!

We are seeking skilled singers (M/F/X) who have an affinity for theater and dance.

Have you studied (classical) singing, but want to do more than just perform on stage? Do you feel at home in a wide repertoire, but want to develop your improvisational skills further? Or perhaps you want to learn more about creative processes and artistic creation? Do you have completed an arts education and have a strong affinity and experience with (ensemble) singing? Then apply now for one of the positions in NKK NXT 24/25, the talent development program of the Netherlands Chamber Choir.

Singers of the future

The Netherlands Chamber Choir offers eight trainee positions for talented young singers in the upcoming concert season, who are ready for the next step in their career and who not only want to further develop as ensemble singers but also as creative thinkers and artists. Trainees in NKK NXT 24/25 will be offered a temporary position with the Dutch Chamber Choir and will have the opportunity to learn, experiment, and create.

What will you do?

In addition to the time you spend developing this production, you will be coached by staff and singers from the Netherlands Chamber Choir, as well as by various leading experts in areas such as ensemble singing, improvisation, artistic vision, and stage presentation – skills that will enable you to shape the future of choral music.

What is NKK NXT?

With the talent development program NKK NXT, the Netherlands Chamber Choir invests in the development of young singing talents through a temporary appointment as a trainee. NKK NXT serves as a bridge between recently graduated singers or creators and the professional field: an opportunity to gain experience in the cultural field, establish new connections, and develop one's own artistic vision. Members of NKK NXT experiment, investigate, and investigate the question 'what is the ensemble singing of the future?'

In recent years, the success of the program has been well established, resulting in beautiful performances and new paths to explore within choral music. For example, NKK NXT 20/21 explored the intersection between classical music and pop in a tour called WILDERNIS, featuring a performance by Wende Snijders, and in 2023, the choir collaborated with Froukje during the King's Night concert at the Concertgebouw. Previous cohorts created performances on themes such as burnout, artificial intelligence, and female strength. Former trainees are now working as theater makers, conductors, or singing in professional ensembles. The current cohort of NKK NXT is collaborating with director Aïda Gabriëls to create performances for museums.

Pratical info

If you are accepted, you will receive a temporary appointment as a trainee at the Netherlands Chamber Choir from early October 2024 to late May 2025. The workload until the premiere will vary weekly but will average out to two days – thus, the appointment is 0.4 FTE. This position is classified according to the national Collective Labor Agreement for Music Ensembles, at scale 4, step 0. Immediately following the premiere, a tour of approximately 25 performances will take place. For these performances, you will move up to scale 4, step 2. Additionally, you will receive a reimbursement for travel expenses from your place of residence (in the Netherlands) to the work location(s), which will mainly be in Utrecht and Groningen. If invited to the live auditions, you will receive a detailed schedule for the entire period.

The deadline for applications for NKK NXT 24/25 is Monday, June 3rd, 2024, at 12:00 PM. You will be notified by June 7th whether you have progressed to the second round. The live auditions will take place on Thursday, June 13th, and Friday, June 14th, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM in Utrecht.

Please note: If you do not reside in the Netherlands and/or are unable to enter into employment within the Netherlands, please indicate this directly in your audition application. In the event of a successful audition, we will then discuss and try to resolve any additional logistical and administrative issues with you, but we cannot guarantee anything in advance.

Application process

There are two audition rounds. In the first round, you will fill out a form in which we ask you to reflect on your learning objectives, your vision of the field of work, and the qualities you want to bring to the traineeship. At the end of the form, we also ask you to upload two files: your CV and a video (maximum 5 minutes) in which you present yourself vocally/musically. What you sing is up to you; choose something that is close to your own experience and educational background and through which we can hear your voice well. You can optionally give a brief introduction to what you are going to sing. You are free to be creative with the assignment, for example by submitting your own composition or showcasing other (artistic) qualities.

From the applications, we will make a selection for the live auditions (second round) on Thursday, June 13th, and Friday, June 14th, 2024 (in Utrecht). You will be invited for one of the two days. In the second round, you will participate in workshops in ensemble singing, improvisation, and theatricality together with other candidates. Additionally, you will prepare a 5-minute solo to perform for the committee and fellow auditionees. In this solo performance, you are free to show and tell whatever you want. Surprise us!

You can apply for one of the 8 positions via the form below.

Do you have any questions about the NKK NXT program or this vacancy? Please contact us at nxt@nederlandskamerkoor.nl.