These are some of the questions most frequently asked about the orchestra by new applicants. If you click on a question the NYO answer will be displayed at the top of the screen.

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How old do you have to be to apply to the NYO?
Do I have to have passed Grade 8 with distinction before I apply?
How much does it cost to audition?
I am worried that we may not be able to afford the NYO course fees. Can you help?
What commitment does being a member of NYO entail?
I'm nervous about the auditions. How many auditions would I have to take and who will listen to my playing?
Can I apply on more than one instrument?
I will be taking GCSE's/A Levels in this year. Will there be time and space to do my revision?
Can I play unaccompanied pieces at my audition?
How do I get hold of the study to be played in the audition?
Can I provide my own accompanist?
Can I change my audition date if it is inconvenient?
How much playing will I do each day on the course?
What happens when I am not playing my instrument?
Will there be opportunities to play repertoire other than the concert repertoire?

How old do you have to be to apply to the NYO?

If you are auditioning for the first time, you must be under 18 on 1 September in the year you apply (eg. under 18 on 1 September 2008 for the 2009 Orchestra). Current NYO members wishing to re-audition must be under 20 at the end of next year’s summer course (8 August 2009).

Do I have to have passed Grade 8 with distinction before I apply?

No. You need to be of a standard equivalent to that required to pass Grade 8 with distinction but you do not have to have taken any exams. After sending in an application form, we will contact your teacher to give a reference to confirm the standard of your playing.

How much does it cost to audition?

There are no fees for auditioning for the NYO and we are able to help with travel costs to and from the audition venue. A travel cost application form can be obtained from the steward at your audition

I am worried that we may not be able to afford the NYO course fees. Can you help?

Yes. As soon as you become a member you may apply for financial assistance for course fees which currently stand at £1200 for players and £1000 for composers. The NYO is also able to help with travel costs to and from attendance at courses and offers suggestions for obtaining funds from other organisations. We believe that no member/potential member should be denied access to NYO membership or audition for financial reasons so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

What commitment does being a member of NYO entail?

If you are chosen to become a member of NYO, you must commit to attend all three courses in the year. Subsequent membership of the NYO is dependent on passing an annual re-audition alongside new candidates wishing to play in the Orchestra. Courses take place during the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. The following dates for the 2009 courses are strictly provisional and may well change, but each course is unlikely to exceed the dates specified here: Saturday 27 December 2008 – Saturday 10 January 2009 Saturday 4 – Sunday 19 April 2009 Wednesday 22 July – Saturday 8 August 2009 Locations for these courses are not yet confirmed.

I'm nervous about the auditions. How many auditions would I have to take and who will listen to my playing?

It’s natural to be nervous about auditions, but we always aim to ensure that our auditions feel informal and very friendly. There are two rounds of auditions. In the preliminary round you will play to an NYO tutor, and in the final round you will play to the NYO tutor of your instrument and the NYO Director, Sarah Alexander.

Can I apply on more than one instrument?

Yes. Please complete a separate application form for each instrument on which you wish to apply.

I will be taking GCSE's/A Levels this year. Will there be time and space to do my revision?

There will be quiet times scheduled into all courses to allow for revision by members of the orchestra who will be taking exams. Rooms will be allocated for revision purposes.

Can I play unaccompanied pieces at my audition?

All instrumental candidates (except harp and percussion) are asked to perform accompanied works and must use the professional accompanist provided by us at auditions. All instrumental candidates (except percussion) must also prepare unaccompanied studies – see the application form for details. Harp players should also click here for further details of what they should prepare.

How do I get hold of the study to be played in the audition?

Please see the application form for details of which study you should prepare. Most good sheet music shops will be able to order the music you need, but if you are having difficulty locating it, we recommend you contact the Barbican Music Shop which is offering a 10% discount on all music ordered for NYO auditions; please specify this when placing an order with them.

Barbican Music Shop
Cromwell Tower
Silk Street
London EC2Y 8DD
020 7588 9242

Can I provide my own accompanist?

No. For all auditions, you must use the professional accompanist provided. Percussionists do not have to play with accompaniment, but if you are a percussionist wishing to play accompanied repertoire, you must bring your own accompanist.

Can I change my audition date if it is inconvenient?

You will be allocated an audition at your first choice of venue, assuming there are still spaces available. If this is not possible for you, we will do our best to offer a different date (which may be at a different venue) to suit you, but cannot guarantee this will always be possible.

How much playing will I do each day on the course?

At the beginning of the course, you will spend a lot of time working in sectionals with the Professor for your instrument. There is always a full rehearsal at the end of the day before supper. Naturally, as the first concert approaches, there are more full rehearsals with our guest conductor. You should expect to play your instrument for up to six hours per day.

What happens when I am not playing my instrument?

There are plenty of breaks when you will have the opportunity to make friends with other members of the Orchestra. Extra-curricular activities such as swimming and tennis also take place. On free days, trips to the cinema or theatre may be arranged. There are also evening entertainments planned by members of the Orchestra and the staff. Recent activities have included a salsa night, curry nights and the New Year Party, but suggestions are always welcome!

Will there be opportunities to play repertoire other than the concert repertoire?

Yes. Sections are invited to give informal concerts during the course and many members of the Orchestra get together to make chamber music of their own. Some students have even formed their own chamber orchestras on NYO courses! There are also informal run-throughs of orchestral repertoire to be studied on subsequent courses in the calendar. If you are interested in contemporary music, you have the chance to perform in the concerts of music composed by the NYO Composers who are also resident on the course. Composers in the Orchestra are also encouraged to bring their works to the course to be worked on and performed.

If we haven’t answered your question here, you are welcome to email us with any further queries at auditions@nyo.org.uk