SSO Choral Conducting Fellows & Choral Associates
Our Choruses embody a comprehensive singing ecosystem that nurtures the brilliance of our brightest young talents, inspires youthful passion for the choral art and celebrates the best of choral excellence.
To augment and support this artistic vision, we invite experienced, outstanding talents in choral singing and its instruction to join the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Choral Programmes. As our SSO Choral Conducting Fellow or Choral Associate, you can establish your expertise and portfolio under the auspices of the SSO’s symphonic choruses.
Conducting Fellows can expect to work closely with and be mentored by Choral Director Eudenice Palaruan and Choirmaster Wong Lai Foon in preparing, developing and performing with the Singapore Symphony Choruses. Choral Associates will lend their vocal technique and musicianship to support the Choral Director and Choirmaster in honing the sound of the choirs.
If you have the drive and aspiration to be a leading voice in guiding and making our choirs shine on stage with our national orchestra, join us to take your artistry to even greater heights.
Nicolette Foo, Choral Conducting Fellow with Singapore Symphony Chorus, Youth and Children's Choirs
An avid chorister since her teenage years, Nicolette was introduced to conducting at the age of 14. Her interest in conducting has allowed her to serve as student conductor in her Scondary, Junior College, and Varsity School choirs. Nicolette has studied choral conducting with J. Jordan (USA), N. Ferris (UK), S. Szabo (Hungary), and J. Tham (Singapore). She sings with the SYC Ensemble Singers, where her role as rehearsal conductor (2018-2021) and assistant conductor (2022-2024) saw her working largely on new music and chamber choral works with interdisciplinary elements. In 2021, Nicolette received a scholarship to the 6th International Conductor's Seminar in Wernigerode, Germany from Interkultur. She was also selected among 36 applicants to represent Singapore in the 4th Juozas Naujalis Choral Conducting Competition 2023, in Lithuania. Nicolette is a conductor of several secondary school choirs that have won international awards in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taipei, Taiwan. She is also currently serving as the Choral Conducting Fellow with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Group.
A premier body for classical choral singing, the Singapore Symphony Choruses comprise the Singapore Symphony Chorus (SSC), Singapore Symphony Youth Choir (SSYC) and Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir (SSCC).
Our Choruses embody a comprehensive singing ecosystem that nurtures the brilliance of our brightest young talents, inspires youthful passion for the choral art and celebrates the best of choral excellence.
Committed to fostering artistic growth and well-rounded personal development in delivering outstanding performances, we aim to provide choristers with rich and unique performing experiences, including opportunities to record and perform with some of the world’s most distinguished conductors, artistes and renowned orchestras. In alignment with this vision, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Choral Programmes is looking to grow its pool of artistic and instructional talents with the launch of a new initiative, being the SSO Choral Conducting Fellowship programme.
The Role and Responsibilities, (but not limited to) The SSO Conducting Fellowship programme will award placements competitively to young choral conductors and experienced choristers who aspire to take their artistic careers further. Each two-year appointment will allow SSO Choral Conducting Fellows to establish themselves within the national orchestra, and to continue their development and refine their artistry.
The choral conducting fellowship will suit someone early in their career who has had formal music training and a level of experience working with choirs, with a focus on classical choral-orchestral masterworks. Mentored by Choral Director Eudenice Palaruan and Choirmaster Wong Lai Foon, Fellows will experience guidance within the nation’s premier symphonic choruses.
SSO Choral Conducting Fellows are required to maintain a visible presence within the choral programmes by actively singing in the youth choir and/or chorus. They may be offered opportunities to conduct rehearsal sessions or at concerts.
One fellowship position is available for the SSO 2023/24 & 2024/25 seasons.
Programme highlights & responsibilities
- Monthly stipend
- Understudy and receive mentorship by Choral Director Eudenice Palaruan and Choirmaster Wong Lai Foon
- Instructor-assistant at SSCC rehearsals
- Assist the Choral Director and Choirmaster in members’ evaluations where required
- Opportunity to rehearse works with SSC/SSYC/SSCC
- Opportunity to conduct one work at SSCC-Training Wing presentation concert or similar
- Participation in the Singapore Symphony Chorus and/or Youth Choir throughout the season
- Serve as group of core singers for choral works for small ensemble / chamber works
Application requirements
- Fresh graduate of or graduating from Bachelor of Music / Choral Conducting / Music Education
- Choral Conducting experience required (minimum 4 years including COVID years)
- Keyboard proficiency is required
- Singaporean or PR Only candidates with the above prerequisites will be considered.
Commitment
- An average of 6 hours per week on Saturdays (for first year fellows)
- Additional rehearsals on Thursdays and concert week as scheduled, leading up to a concert
- Up to 4 hours of mentorship per week with the Choral Director / Choirmaster
Application Process
Applications can be sent to recruitchoral@sso.org.sg and must include
- a cover letter and full CV, detailing relevant experience
- video recording samples from the last 12 months not exceeding 10min of
- Warmup sessions in a rehearsal / pre-concert setting
- Rehearsal and performance conducting session
Applications for positions in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons have closed. Do write in to recruitchoral@sso.org.sg for any enquiries on the 2025/26 season's intake.
A premier body for classical choral singing, the Singapore Symphony Choruses comprise the Singapore Symphony Chorus (SSC), Singapore Symphony Youth Choir (SSYC) and Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir (SSCC).
Our Choruses embody a comprehensive singing ecosystem that nurtures the brilliance of our brightest young talents, inspires youthful passion for the choral art and celebrates the best of choral excellence.
Committed to fostering artistic growth and well-rounded personal development in delivering outstanding performances, we aim to provide choristers with rich and unique performing experiences, including opportunities to record and perform with some of the world’s most distinguished conductors, artistes and renowned orchestras.
In alignment with this vision, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Choral Programmes is looking to grow its pool of artistic and instructional talents with the launch of a new initiatives, being the SSO Choral Associate programme.
The Role and Responsibilities, (but not limited to) The SSO Choral Associate programme will award placements competitively to experienced choristers who aspire to take their artistic careers further. Each two-year appointment will allow SSO Choral Associates to establish themselves within the national orchestra, and to continue their development and refine their artistry.
SSO Choral Associates are accomplished choristers who seek to be a part of the Singapore Symphony Choruses. Bringing expertise in vocal technique and musicianship, and proficiency in sight reading, Choral Associates will support the Choral Director and Choirmaster in building the sound of the ensemble.
SSO Choral Associates are required to maintain a visible presence within the choral programmes by actively singing in the youth choir and/or chorus. They may be offered opportunities to perform as soloists in concerts.
Two associate positions (1 Soprano/Alto, 1 Tenor/Bass) are available for the SSO 2023/24 & 2024/25 seasons
Programme highlights & responsibilities
- Monthly stipend
- Serve as group of core singers for choral works for small ensemble / chamber works with the Singapore Symphony Chorus and/or Youth Choir throughout the season
- Provide overview/recap of music with choristers who have missed rehearsal sessions
- Support with sectionals
- Evaluate and coach members on vocal matters
- Assist the SSC Choral Director in maintenance of ensemble voice quality, and members’ evaluations where required
- Opportunity to perform as vocal soloist at concerts
Application requirements
- BMus or equivalent is preferred
- Experienced chorister and leading a section (minimum 4 years including COVID years)
- Keyboard proficiency is required
- Singaporean or PR
Only candidates with the above prerequisites will be considered.
Commitment
- An average of 4 hours per week on Mondays
- Additional rehearsals on Thursdays and concert week as scheduled, leading up to a concert
- Up to 90 min for any rehearsal pre/post rehearsal review with members
Application Process
Applications can be sent to recruitchoral@sso.org.sg and must include:
- a cover letter and full CV, detailing relevant experience
- video recording samples from the last 12 months not exceeding 10min of
- Recent solo performance
- Choral rehearsals reviewing vocal technique
Applications for positions in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons have closed. Do write in to recruitchoral@sso.org.sg for any enquiries on the 2025/26 season's intake.
