NYOS 2025 | Auditions
21.11.2024
New and improved auditions for 2025 and beyond...
When we ask our NYOS musicians about what they value most about playing in an our ensembles, we always hear the same thing – playing and connecting with other young musicians. Community and belonging are at the core of what we do at NYOS and we want this to be reflected in every aspect of our work. However, there has been one area where we felt we could be doing better – our auditions process.
The traditional solo audition format we have been using previously which focused on brief, intense solo auditions, wasn’t allowing young people to play their best, and it no longer made sense for us to stick with this method of audition. Across all our courses NYOS celebrates young people playing ensemble music together in a relaxed, welcoming space. So, we went back to basics: if our musicians value playing with each other, why not give them another opportunity to do this with NYOS and use it as part of our auditions.
Our new auditions process is made up of two key elements. Each applicant firstly submits a solo video audition which offers them the flexibility to capture their playing and skills at a time and place that suits them. This is then followed by attendance at one of our in-person group auditions. No two musicians are alike, and we want every young person to be able to showcase their abilities in an environment that best suits them. Reducing stress and anxiety is also integral to this new process – mistakes may be made and notes may be missed, but we believe that by offering more than one opportunity to show us what they can do will help our young musicians unlock their potential. For those young people auditioning with NYOS for the first time, this new process gave them an opportunity to get a real sense of how we do things!
Across each of our five audition days, the young participants got the chance to work with our team of fantastic tutors, building on their musicianship, and connecting with their peers in sectional sessions. This was also a great opportunity for the young people to catch up with each other – many of them hadn’t seen each other since our Summer 2024 courses and concerts!
Once warmed up and having explored the music a little with their tutors, it was time to bring their skills to an ensemble setting, led by NYOS Music Director Catherine Larsen-Maguire. In just a short amount of time, the young people took the music we provided and rose to the challenge, showcasing their skills and passion – it was truly incredible to see.
Reflecting on the new auditions process, participants said:
“I thought it was a relaxed and fun session where, despite it being a form of audition, it was still simply an enjoyable experience of ensemble playing. Whether or not I get a place, it was still a nice opportunity to have had.”
“Having the sectionals first and then going into the full orchestra meant playing in the ensemble was really enjoyable. The afternoon playing together was brilliant and I really felt relaxed and felt I could show my true abilities rather than being really anxious.”
“I really enjoyed learning the repertoire together, as an ensemble. I was glad we got given the music beforehand, so we could feel more comfortable going into the audition. I thought it was a good idea to have sectionals before the ensemble, so we could get more comfortable with our parts.”
Our audition panel is now reviewing all of the solo audition videos and then we will use everything we have learned about our young musicians from across the elements of our auditions process to help us create our orchestras for the 2025 season. Offer letters will go out in early December, keep an eye on our social media for updates!
We would like to thank our team of fantastic instrumental tutors, our wonderful pastoral staff, and Catherine Larsen-Maguire for the support and guidance they provided to NYOS musicians over the course of our auditions weekends.
Follow us on social media!
