Take part

Spark auditions

Be part of the GYO chorus in new opera Spark

Spark is a newly-commissioned opera by composer Lucy Armstrong and librettist Olivia Bell that will be performed at Glyndebourne during Autumn Season 2026.

This youth opera continues Glyndebourne’s long commitment to creating work with, and for, young people and will include members of Glyndebourne Youth Opera. It tells a tale of loss, friendship and finding the spark to keep going. It’s the first opera performed at Glyndebourne by composer Lucy Armstrong, a current participant of Balancing the Score – a development programme to support composers from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the world of operatic composition.

auditions

We are delighted to announce that we are auditioning singers aged 9-19 to be part of the performing company for Spark, premiering Autumn Season 2026. Audition applications are now open and will close on Monday 9 February at 11.59pm.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new opera written for Glyndebourne Youth Opera, and your chance to perform on the Glyndebourne stage!

AUDITION PROCESS OVERVIEW

Group audition workshops will take place onsite at Glyndebourne led by Ashley Beauchamp (Music Director), Fee Dunn (Director) and Róisín Whelan (Movement Director).

Monday 9 February 2026 at 11.59pm – audition application deadline
Wednesday 11 February 2026 – notification of your child’s audition place
Friday 13 February 2026 – deadline to accept your child’s audition place and submit RSVP form

AUDITION DATES AND TIMES

There will be nine audition workshops held across three days at Glyndebourne – there will be chaperoned buses available from Lewes train station if required. Your child will only need to attend one workshop.

Wednesday 18 February 2026 – GYO 1
Thursday 19 February 2026 – GYO 2
Friday 20 February 2026 – GYO 1 (workshop 1 & 2) & GYO 2 (workshop 3)

Workshops will run at the following times each day:
Workshop 1 – 10.00am-11.30am
Workshop 2 – 12.30pm-2.00pm
Workshop 3 – 3.00pm-4.30pm

You don’t need to have lots of performance experience, just be curious to find out more about music, movement, singing and performing. These will be group auditions, no preparation is required. You will learn some of the music and movement from Spark and be expected to sing as part of a group, with a short moment of singing on your own.

Results of the auditions will be emailed by 5.00pm on Wednesday 4 March.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY AND AUDITION INFORMATION

To be eligible to audition, applicants must:

Be a current member of GYO 1 or GYO 2 and aged 9–19 on the date of their audition and live within 25 miles of Glyndebourne.
Have taken part in a GYO workshop, taster day, or production at any point since January 2024.
Be able to attend all rehearsals and performances for Spark.

By signing up to audition for Spark you are committing to the full rehearsal schedule if you are offered a place. Please note the project launches on 8 April 2026 with a full rehearsal period from the week beginning 24 August until mid November.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Taking part in Spark is free and transport is offered from Lewes station throughout the project if required. If you need any other assistance to support your ability to take part in this project, please let us know through the audition application form.

Apply now

Schedule

Spark is generously supported by The Chalk Cliff Trust

Glyndebourne’s Learning & Engagement programme is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.