Auditions for NYOS 2025

Applications for our NYOS orchestras are now closed.

If you want to enquire about a late application to be part of NYOS, Scotland's national youth orchestra, or NYOS Development, applications please email us at ensembles@nyos.co.uk 

Please find below full details of how to apply and our new auditions process. If you have any questions, please check our FAQs page, or email the NYOS Team at ensembles@nyos.co.uk 

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For our 2025 orchestras we have made some exciting changes to our audition process to ensure that you have the best opportunity to demonstrate your musical skills in a welcoming and fun environment.

The application comprises three elements:

> Application Form

> Pre-recorded Video Solo Audition

> In-person Group Audition

Below you will find more information about each element of the process. However, if you have any questions, concerns or access needs, please contact us on ensembles@nyos.co.uk

Start your application for the NYOS orchestras by completing this short form that provides us with the key information we need about you. This includes questions about what instrument you play and the level you play at, any ensemble playing experience you have, and some other personal details that will help us in choosing the right orchestra for you.

At the end of the Application Form, and in your confirmation email, you will receive a link to upload your pre-recorded solo audition video/s, so we recommend that you complete these before completing your application form.

This year, to make the process more inclusive and welcoming, we have made all solo auditions via pre-recorded video. This means you can perform and record your audition whenever and wherever suits you.

For your solo audition you will be required to perform one piece of your own choosing and two orchestral excerpts. Your own piece should be no more than 5 minutes long.

Please note: for percussion auditions, you must perform four excerpts but are not required to perform a piece of your own choosing.

> Audition Excerpts

You can upload the performances as one video or as individual separate videos. Please read through our full guidance for recording your audition videos.

> Guide to recording your video solo audition

At the end of your application form, you will be redirected to the auditions portal where you can upload or drag and drop your solo audition videos to submit them to us. Please make sure to name these files correctly so that we can easily identify them as yours - Your Name - Your Instrument - Video #1.

Alongside your pre-recorded solo audition, we want to give you the chance to demonstrate your passion for music and play alongside your peers. Everyone will be invited to attend a half-day group audition.

This will be a relaxed session consisting of sectional and ensemble rehearsals where the focus will be on how you play as part of an ensemble and will help us in placing you in the right orchestra. It is also an exciting opportunity to work with our tutors and be conducted by our Music Director, Catherine Larsen-Maguire.

DATES

> String auditions

Sunday 3 November - Glasgow

Saturday 9 November - Edinburgh

> Wind and brass auditions

Saturday 2 November - Glasgow

Sunday 10 November - Edinburgh

> Percussion auditions

Friday 8 November - Glasgow

> Harp auditions

Sunday 3 November - Glasgow

There is no official preparation for the group auditions. When you are allocated your group audition, you will be sent the music that you will be playing with your peers. We recommend you have a look over this in advance of your group audition, maybe listen to a recording of it to get an idea of how it sounds. However please do not worry about practising it too much, there is plenty time for that in the auditions.

We understand that for some people, there might be finanical barriers to attending an audition in central Scotland. In order to support this, we have a travel support bursary that you can apply to for financial support to attend the group audition. When you are invited to your group audition, you will be sent an Audition Travel Support Bursary form.

For those who live outside of Scotland and internationally, we understand that traveling back for group audition will be difficult and we will provide you with an additional online audition element.

Further information can be found in our In-person Group Auditions Guidance.

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