Sitz
Sitz: private rehearsals of entire musicals with a 70-piece orchestra and 100 singers
A Sitz is a private rehearsal of an entire musical. Over the course of a single day, over 100 singers and musicians come together to rehearse a score of a musical. They are entirely private events where participants can gain professional-level experience without the pressure of an audience. At their heart, Sitzes are all about sharing in the joy of playing and singing your favourite musicals with like-minded individuals.
Sitzes take place once a month at Bishopsgate Institute, where LMTO is Orchestra-in-Residence, and membership is free.
You must be over 18 to join.
Instrumentalists
Sitzes are first part of the LMTO musician development programme. The day is designed around young professionals who want to gain experience playing musical theatre repertoire, but is open to all with a passion for the genre.
Becoming a member of Sitz will also give you access to the Sandy and Zorica Glen Workshops – a series of instrumental masterclasses with members of the London Musical Theatre Orchestra.
Minimum standard: beyond Grade 8
Singers
Each Sitz involves a 120-piece chorus and a group of soloists. They are ideal for anyone looking to gain experience in singing in harmony and to expand their knowledge of the musical theatre repertoire. And hey, it’s not every day you get to sing with a symphonic-sized orchestra.
Singers don’t need to be sight-readers to take part, and materials are sent out in advance to aid preparation.
Music Leaders and Creatives
Four Sitzes each year are brand new orchestrations – written especially for us. These might include a complete reimagining of a well-known score or the expansion of a small arrangement for a 60-piece orchestra. We are always looking for new orchestrators to join our ranks and help create the iconic Sitz sound.
Each Sitz has an MD, AMD and repetiteur running the day. You’ll need to be a confident music leader, be a lightning fast and clear teacher and be comfortable guiding large groups through complex material. Once you’re a member, get in touch with alice@lmto.org to register your interest.
Become a member for free
To take part in a Sitz, you must be a member. Once you’re a member, you will be sent an email before each Sitz announcing the show and the available parts. You are able to apply for as many Sitzes as you like.
There are no prerequisites and no auditions: all welcome to apply. We ask successful applicants to pay £23 to cover venue and music hire.
Next up
The next Sitzes are:
Sunday 3rd December 2023
Sunday 7th January 2024
Saturday 3rd February 2024
Sunday 3rd March 2024
Sunday 7th April 2024
Sunday 5th May 2024
Auditioning for LMTO’s Dev Scheme was the best decision I made, a month after moving here from Ukraine. I’ve been a part of Chess at Drury Lane, and Audra McDonald and Scala Radio Christmas Live at the Palladium, among others. As a Dev I was warmly welcomed, and LMTO helped me to integrate into the industry. I collaborated with so many different people and I have a mentor who helps me to improve my professional skills and to develop my career. Thanks to LMTO and the Dev Scheme, it became easier to start from scratch as a person and musician in a new country.
Kristina Surma
Violin
Discovering Sitz was a lifeline at that point in my education – a year later, and I had made my West End debut with LMTO playing for Scala Radio Christmas Live at the London Palladium, and, thanks to connections through my mentor, had ‘sit-ins’ with industry professionals at both Mary Poppins and Frozen. The Dev Scheme has led to opportunities to perform at Wembley Arena, as well as do my first professional run of a musical. LMTO has opened the door into the industry for me.
Louisa Kataria
Reeds
Over the last year I have been assistant musical director on a west end show, played on a west end cast album, MD-ed two off west end shows, and am currently MDing a tour. I know that participating in the dev scheme has helped me massively with taking on these projects, giving me the skills and qualities to do so, and also providing me with a support network of my mentor and the wider players, and also a wonderful community of people who are on the journey with you! I have learnt and grown so much throughout the scheme!
Honor Halford-MacLeod
Keys player and Musical Director