Live Music Now Scotland auditions
Live Music Now Scotland auditions are open for 2024/25!
We are looking for early career musicians, either as soloists or in groups of up to 5 people.
Any style of music is welcome, including classical, Scottish/Gaelic/Irish traditional, other international traditions, rock, pop and jazz, although you must be able to perform without PA or backing tracks.
Members of the group should be fixed, we do not accept groups with rotating members.
Musicians need to be able, legally and practically, to work in Scotland.
LMNS has two main aims:
- To train and support exceptionally talented, emerging professional musicians in the crucial early years of their careers providing them with fairly paid performing opportunities in the community.
- To provide high-quality participatory performances and workshops for those who are normally excluded from experiencing live music through ill health, disability, isolation or poverty.
What we do in 30 seconds – watch the video here!
Who Can Apply?
You are:
- Are at the start of your career in music
- Fairly new to this type of community work
- Able to communicate your music through your exceptional standard of musicianship and performance skills
- Passionate about sharing your music and willing to engage with a diverse range of people and ages using your excellent communication skills
- Able to provide a varied and suitable choice of music
- Open to learning new skills and reflect on your practice
- Passionate about the power of music and the aims of Live Music Now Scotland
There is no age limit to audition. We will make any reasonable adjustments needed for the audition process and we offer specialised support to musicians with additional support needs and/or physical disabilities dependent on their needs. For more information, please contact the General Manager lesleyann.smith@livemusicnow.scot.
We offer:
- Comprehensive training to engage people in care homes and additional support needs settings as well as project specific training for working in other areas of the community
- Paid performance opportunities from one-off performances to residencies that work to your strengths and skillset
- High profile performance opportunities at festivals and venues across Scotland and internationally
- A community of like-minded musicians across Scotland
- Free training and career support tailored to your needs
- Peer mentoring
- Pastoral support
What do you mean by early career musicians?
Whilst each individual circumstance is considered, we would recommend that your group has 2-3 years of experience performing together and you are beginning to establish yourselves as professional performers. This will increase your chances of success as our audition process is very competitive. If you have any queries about whether we would consider you as emerging, please contact us at info@livemusicnow.scot
What does the audition involve?
Applicants will give a 10-minute performance suitable for a community setting for a panel of experienced musicians with time to chat about why you are interested in joining LMNS.
Am I automatically given an audition?
Due to the large number of applications we receive, we have two stages in our application process. This is to ensure that we see the most suitable groups at the ideal and pivotal stage in their career.
Stage 1 – the application
Applications will close at 5pm on Friday 1 November 2024, and you will be notified if you are invited to audition by the week commencing Monday 18 November 2024 at the latest. Applications are shortlisted using the following criteria:
- Soloists or groups who have worked together for long enough to have their own musical identity and a substantial programme of music
- Soloists or groups who are starting or have started their career in music and need support in establishing a sustainable career
- Soloists or groups who would most benefit from our training and performance opportunities
- An exceptional standard of musicianship to bring the highest quality of live music possible to our audiences
- Gaps in our current breadth of genres in support of achieving a balanced list of musicians
Click on the link to apply: Apply to LMNS
If you need any help with completing your application, please contact the General Manager at lesleyann.smith@livemusicnow.scot and we will assist you in any way we can.
Stage 2 – the audition
If you are invited to an audition, you will need to provide a reference for your ensemble as well as references for each individual member of your group.
There is no audition fee. However, in the interest of demonstrating commitment to audition attendance, you will be asked to make a fully refundable deposit of £25 which will be returned no more than 2 weeks after your audition date for everyone who attends their audition. If you are successful in being offered an audition, there are travel/carer bursaries available to support you. These will be assessed and offered on a bespoke basis. The bursaries are intended to provide financial assistance to enable applicants to attend auditions in Glasgow and/or a waiver of the £25 deposit to secure your audition place.
Please note if you don’t attend your audition without notice of cancellation by 9am on the day of your audition, your deposit will not be returned and you will be unable to be considered for audition in the future.
If your application is successful, auditions will take place on 14 and 16 January 2025. Should demand for auditions be greater than anticipated, 28 or 30 January 2025 may be offered as alternative dates. If you wish to audition, you are advised to keep availability for all four dates.
If you are accepted onto the Live Music Now Scotland Scheme, you will be asked to attend two compulsory training sessions on 17 and 18 February 2025 and a Greener Lives training session on 17 March 2025.
We will send you information about your audition but to give you an idea in the meantime, you can watch the videos for some guidance on how to approach your audition.
An introduction to LMNS auditions with our Director Carol
Hear from Mary Ann Kennedy – LMNS alumni
Have a question? Get in touch with a member of the team: info@livemusicnow.scot
