National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America
Application Process
The application period for the NYO-USA's 2014 program will begin on August 1, 2013. At that time, you will be able to access the online application from the NYO-USA website. In addition to completing the application form, you will be required to upload the supporting materials listed below. There is a $30 application fee, payable online at the time you complete your application. (An application fee waiver, on the basis of financial need, may be requested after August 1.)
The deadline to apply and submit all required materials is November 15, 2013. Applicants will be notified of their status by February 7, 2014. Additionally, we will offer comments from our review panel of professional musicians to all applicants about their audition, following the February 7 notification.
Please note if you are under 18 at the time you apply, the consent of your parent or guardian is required.
Note also that applications from harpists and pianists (orchestral keyboardists) will be accepted based on the anticipated repertoire for 2014.
Application Requirements
- • an audition video
- • a brief biographical essay (200-300 words suggested) that describes your background and musical/educational experience, and addresses how participation in NYO-USA would help you achieve personal or artistic goals.
- • two recommendations (to be completed via online form)
Audition Video
All applicants to NYO-USA are required to record an audition video that includes the content outlined below. Each performance segment must be recorded in one take with no editing. Please refer to our Video Guidelines for additional information and suggestions for effectively recording your audition. Note also that professional equipment and/or studio space is not necessary for a successful application to NYO-USA. With attention to a few details, your music making can be conveyed using readily available consumer electronics.
The Audition Video segments include:
- • An introduction stating your name, your instrument, your hometown and the title of the solo work you have chosen, followed by the performance of your solo piece. The solo may be any work of your choice, or a movement/section of a longer work, provided your submission does not exceed 3 minutes in duration. A work with piano accompaniment (with the exception of harp, percussion, and orchestral keyboard) is strongly preferred.
- • The required orchestral excerpts for your instrument, which will be provided by NYO-USA and available by April 5, 2013. Wind players wishing to demonstrate proficiency on an auxiliary instrument should include the relevant excerpt, which is optional
- • Your answer on camera, to one of the following:
- ° Who inspires you musically and why?
- ° How would you describe your instrument’s personality?
- ° Describe your most memorable musical experience.
Eligibility
NYO-USA is open to US citizens or permanent residents (Green Card holders) from all backgrounds. You must be between the ages of 16 and 19 during the summer of your participation. For 2014, this means your birthdate must be between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1998. Additionally, if you are enrolled full-time in a college-level conservatory or music department with instrumental performance as your major (or intended field of study) you are not eligible to join NYO-USA. There are no other educational or performance requirements for NYO-USA eligibility. Please see specific examples below:
You are not considered a full-time music student if you
- • study part-time at or take lessons through the pre-college or preparatory division of a music school or conservatory
- • are enrolled in a performing arts high school, regardless of your course of study
- • are enrolled in a college, university, or conservatory degree program in a field outside of instrumental performance (including all non-music majors, voice, music education, composition, musicology, etc.)
- • have been accepted by and plan to enroll in a college, university, or conservatory instrumental performance program, provided you will not begin full-time studies until after July 2014
You are considered a full-time music student if
- • regardless of your age, you are enrolled (or will be prior to June 2014) in a college, university, or conservatory music-degree program, with instrumental performance as your major or as your intended field of study if you have not yet declared a major (including double majors with an instrumental performance specialization)
- • regardless of your age, you are enrolled (or will be prior to June 2014) as a full-time student in a non-degree conservatory or music school diploma program beyond the preparatory level, with instrumental performance as your primary field of study