SA: Applications open for the 2017 National Youth Orchestra Auditions

Young musicians wishing to apply must be able to play an orchestral instrument, must be at least Grade 7 music level and be resident in Southern Africa. Applications are now open and can be completed online on their website.

This year, the foundation boasts of a series of courses and programmes for young orchestral musicians between the ages of 13 and 25. The courses help to equip young people with the skills to perform in a professional musical environment and introduce them to a necessary network of fellow musicians.

The National Youth Wind Orchestra will visit Port Elizabeth this year from 29 June – 9 July and will perform Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony at their course from 7-17 December in Johannesburg. These courses are filled with challenges and fun for young musicians and open up a world of musical and other opportunities for the participants.

Orchestras are formed each year at courses run during holidays and comprise of South Africa’s top young musical talent. Members include players from communities across the country and are chosen on merit through two auditions. The first of these is an anonymous recorded audition, after which a live audition is played behind-screen, in front of an expert audition panel.

The South African National Youth Orchestra has supported the training and development of South Africa’s young musicians through its courses and development programmes for over half a century. Its legacy is far reaching, with representation of alumni in top professional orchestras in South Africa and across the globe.

To make the courses open to all who wish to attend, bursaries, scholarships and payment plans are available. Those who are willing to sponsor a young musician or contribute to the bursary fund in any way should e-mail Sophia on [email protected] or call +2783 272 2117.

The deadline for applications is 20 February 2017.