FAQs for NYOS Applications

We want to ensure that all eligible young musicians apply for the opportunity to take part in Scotland’s National Youth Orchestras. If you don't see an answer to your question below please contact us via email ensembles@nyos.co.uk.

Applications for in-person auditions for NYOS have now closed. 

The closing date for all recorded audition applications (NYOS and NYOS Development) was midnight on Thursday 26 October 2023. 

For late applications and auditions please contact ensembles@nyos.co.uk if you haven't done so already.

You qualify to apply to the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland if you are aged between 11-22 years old and have a Scottish connection:

• Born in Scotland
• Live in Scotland
• Study in Scotland
• Have family ties to Scotland but live elsewhere

If you meet any of these criteria then we would like to hear from you!

Our guidelines for the appropriate standard are as follows:

NYOS  (aged 14-22): Grade 8+

NYOS Development Orchestra (aged 11-18):  Grade 5-8

YES! Our guidelines are just that: guidelines. We don’t need to see any certificates but we do need you to give us an indication of your playing standard. Aditioning for NYOS is FREE and preparing for the audition will also provide you with invaluable experience.

Yes, but please complete a separate application form for each instrument. Please note that a doubling instrument (i.e. cor anglais, piccolo, bass clarinet etc.) does not require a separate form. However, if you intend to offer this at audition please include the applicable excerpt in your preparation as well as one piece.

If you are applying to NYOS, then please prepare two contrasting pieces and three orchestral excerpts. For Timpani and Percussion applicants, please prepare five orchestral excerpts- one Snare Drum, one Tuned Percussion, one Auxiliary and two contrasting Timpani excerpts. If you do not have access to Timpani then please prepare two Snare Drum, two Tuned Percussion and one Auxiliary. The orchestral excerpts can be found here. If you wish to offer a doubling instrument, an additional excerpt must be prepared along with one accompanied piece on this instrument. 

If you are applying to NYOS Development, then please prepare one piece and two orchestral excerpts. For Timpani and Percussion applicants, please prepare four orchestral excerpts- one Snare Drum, one Tuned Percussion and two contrasting Timpani excerpts. If you do not have access to Timpani then please prepare two Snare Drum and Two Tuned Percussion. The orchestral excerpts can be found here. If you wish to offer a doubling instrument, an additional excerpt must be prepared along with one accompanied piece on this instrument. 

All violin players that are applying to NYOS will be given the option to register interest in applying for the position of leader on the application form. Once your application has been submitted, a member of the ensemble team will be in touch to let you know if you will be offered a leader audition slot and what you should prepare for this. Please note that leader auditions will only take place in Glasgow.

If you are applying to NYOS Development, then you are required to submit your audition video(s) at the time of application. Please follow the instructions within our Recorded Guidelines. Recordings must be of sufficient quality. 

Applications for 2024 have now closed. Live auditions will commence the week beginning Monday 30 October 2023:

Edinburgh, week beginning Monday 30 October 2023

Glasgow, weeks beginning Monday 6 & 13 November 2023

Orchestral excerpts are the standard for orchestral auditions across the world and allow us to judge an applicant’s musical awareness beyond the confines of a piece, which may have been prepared over a period of many months. Frequently we encounter applicants who play brilliantly in audition but struggle in an orchestral setting.

Whether applying for the first time, or whether a seasoned NYOS member, we want to judge whether the applicant understands the excerpt from a broad perspective. This means not only playing the notes correctly but being aware of rhythmic complexities and other musical nuances. The ONLY way to prepare orchestral excerpts is by listening to a recording of the piece. We are especially keen to ascertain which students have worked out what is going on in the rest of the orchestra as well as in their own part.

Results will be emailed to all candidates once all the auditions have been reviewed and certainly by the end of December.

Please find the course dates for all classical orchestral courses here

No student who successfully auditions for any NYOS ensemble will miss out due to financial circumstances.

NYOS has a robust bursary scheme that offer those in need support with course fees, as well as support towards travel costs. 

Please find full details of our Financial Support 

We encourage all those applying to NYOS to have a read of the support we have available. Application forms for our bursaries are sent out with offer letters for the orchestra in December.

There is also support available from trusts, foundations and your local authorities:

> Directory of Trusts and Foundations
> Local Authority Contact Lists

If you want to talk further about financial support, please contact bursaries@nyos.co.uk or call the NYOS office on 0141 332 8311.

We expect students to be available for all the course dates, however if you do have any problems with the dates then please get in touch with us via email ensembles@nyos.co.uk to discuss this.

Students may be excused from a course for one of the following reasons:

• The student is representing their country in another activity e.g. sport.
• The student is required to attend activities relating to further education studies e.g. university terms clash

Students may not be excused for one of the following reasons:

• The student has chosen to attend another course or activity knowing that it will clash with a NYOS course with no mention to NYOS.
• Their family has booked a holiday.
• The related activity is of local or school level.

Details of the annual membership fees for each orchestra can be found here

If you have any further questions please contact us via email at ensembles@nyos.co.uk