Edinburgh International Festival launches open auditions for Mendelssohn Octet

Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) has launched open auditions for pre-professional string players to join the festival’s Mendelssohn Octet. EIF festival director Nicola Benedetti will hand pick musicians to collaborate with professional string players for a performance at the festival Hub in August.

Applications are invited from musicians all over the world from which three violinists, one violist and one cellist will be selected to work with violinist Stefan Jackiw, violist Jessica Bodner and cellist Sterling Elliott towards an onstage performance as part of the Festival’s evening concert series at its home on the Royal Mile on 10 August.

Benedetti said: 'Everyone remembers their first up-close exposure to great playing, great sound and the highest calibre of music-making. It can change your trajectory and expectations in a single moment. Therefore, I am happy and proud that the Edinburgh International Festival can offer a funded, paid opportunity for conservatoire-level players this summer.'

To remove barriers to participation, the festival will provide travel, accommodation and per diems  for this paid opportunity. Musicians can apply online, by submitting a video of themselves playing first movement of a Classical or early Romantic concerto or sonata. To be considered applicants must be of conservatoire level standard and not be part of an existing professional chamber group.

Applicants can apply online via the festival website, with applications closing on 9 June 2023.