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In 2025 we will be working in partnership with Dunedin Consort on the creation of a new Snappy Opera. This new co-commission will draw together the priorities and expertise of both Mahogany Opera and Dunedin Consort, to create a brand-new piece to join the Snappy Operas canon, which draws inspiration from Baroque music in a fun, exciting way.

We are seeking expressions of interest from composers and writers/librettists, to form part of a small, collaboratively minded creative team, who will be commissioned to create a new Snappy Opera with and for the pupils at a mainstream primary school in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire. We are open to hearing from individual composers and librettists, or from existing composer/writer teams.

We are not looking for prospective artists to pitch a particular idea at this stage – content for the new Snappy Opera will be developed in in-school workshops with the young people involved. This opportunity will be of interest to established artists who value and understand the nature of inclusive arts practice, who are able to adapt their approaches for children of all abilities, and are able to transform the children’s ideas into a meaningful participatory opera work.

Mahogany Opera values diverse perspectives and welcomes applications from a broad range of artists. For this project, we welcome expressions of interest from artists based across the UK, but we are particularly keen to hear from people who live or work predominantly in Scotland.

A flat fee of £3,500 for composers and £2,000 for librettists is available, plus access costs, travel, accommodation and reasonable expenses as required. Please note, we are unable to cover travel costs from outside the UK.

If you would like to submit an expression of interest to work on this project, please send us:

• A CV
• One side of A4 or a video up to 3 minutes explaining why you’d like to be part of this project and what skills and experience you’d bring
• Links to two projects or pieces of work you’ve been part of that help evidence your relevant experience for the project
• Any access requirements

Please send via email to Marc Dunleavy at Mahogany Opera on marc@mahoganyopera.co.uk by 12pm on Monday 4 November 2025.