How the Trust works

The Josephine Baker Trust aims to provide a mutually beneficial arrangement for singers on the scheme, working in partnership with approved organisations such as choirs and other musical organisations.

Organisations must be approved by the Trustees, and will be required to demonstrate that they employ professional orchestras and that their Musical Director has the skills to give the young singers a concert-day experience which will be of benefit to their professional development.

In return, choirs gain access to young professional singers at an exciting point in their careers for up to two concerts per season.  When you have a suitable project, you will receive suggestions from the Vocal Department head of the conservatoire that you have approached as to which singers they have available who are suitable for your proposed repertoire.  You then approach them directly to ascertain their availability and, once you have their agreement, you will be given a login to make an application online through this website. This must be completed at least two months before the concert date.

The Trust must be acknowledged in the programme, the orchestra must be fully-professional and the singers must be paid at least the minimum standard fee, currently £330 plus expenses.

After the concert has taken place, an invoice for the agreed support should be sent by email to the Treasurer of the Trust quoting the reference number given to you when your application is successfully processed, together with a PDF of the concert programme. You will then be reimbursed two-thirds of the minimum standard fee per singer per concert.