Page 256 - FINAL_The Sixteen Coverage Book 40th Anniversary Year

5 June 2019

The Sixteen announces its new cohort of Genesis Sixteen singers &
presents its sixth Sounds Sublime Festival

Wednesday, June 05, 2019
In its 40th anniversary year, The Sixteen is delighted to announce the new cohort of Genesis Sixteen singers
and its sixth Sounds Sublime Festival on Saturday 20 July.
Genesis Sixteen, supported by the Genesis Foundation, is currently in its eighth year and has worked with
over 150 participants. The UK’s first ever fully funded programme of its kind, Genesis Sixteen, is The
Sixteen’s free young artists’ scheme for 18-23 year olds, which aims to nurture the next generation of
talented ensemble singers. During the course of a year, a series of week-long and weekend courses are led
by key figures from The Sixteen, including founder and conductor Harry Christophers CBE and Associate
Conductor Eamonn Dougan. Participants receive group tuition, individual mentoring and masterclasses run
by some of the world’s top vocal experts. Support from the Genesis Foundation means participants receive
free tuition and a bursary to cover all additional costs.

Harry Christophers CBE, Founder and Conductor of The Sixteen says: ‘Genesis Sixteen from its inception
in 2010 has far surpassed our wildest dreams. Each year has been a revelation and I am certain that our 9th
cohort of singers will be no exception. We have chosen a wonderfully talented and diverse group of singers
and I can’t wait to start working with them. Once again thank you to the Genesis Foundation for constantly
making the impossible possible.’
Eamonn Dougan, Associate Conductor of The Sixteen says: Each year of Genesis Sixteen has a different
dynamic, yet it’s always fascinating to see how quickly a bond is created between singers of different
backgrounds, varying levels of experience and with contrasting musical outlooks. It’s one of the many joys
and benefits of being part of an ensemble. This will be the 9th generation of the scheme and I’ve no doubt
they will continue to raise the bar for all that Genesis Sixteen stands for: development, teamwork, excellence
and no small amount of fun.

John Studzinski, Founder and Chairman, Genesis Foundation says: “One of the greatest gifts we can receive
is to have people in our lives who transform us by their wisdom and generosity of spirit. The latest young
singers about to join Genesis Sixteen will be blessed by having Harry Christophers and his team come into
their lives. Harry is not only one of the world’s leading musicians, but is an inspirational mentor who
dedicates himself to transforming the lives of the singers who join Genesis Sixteen. Over the past ten years
alumni of the programme have gone on to form their own ensembles, become full-time professional singers
and to perform with The Sixteen around the world including in the Sistine Chapel and this summer at the
Edinburgh Festival in the world premiere of the Genesis Foundation commission James MacMillan’s Fifth
Symphony. Everyone at the Genesis Foundation is delighted to welcome the latest group of Genesis Sixteen
singers and know that they have a life changing two years ahead of them and that they will, in turn, change
others’ lives in the decades to come.”

Applications for the 2020-21 choir will open in November 2019, with applications for conducting scholar
opening in April/May 2020.
Sounds Sublime Festival

The Sixteen presents its annual Sounds Sublime Festival which showcases the cream of the UK’s young
choral talent on Saturday 20 July at St Clement Danes. The Festival includes a performance by Streetwise
Opera responding to Eric Whitacre’s Leonardo Dreams of his Flying Machine supported by Genesis Sixteen

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