NYOS Course Guidelines
Everything you need to know ahead of residential courses, all in one place!
Please read the course guidelines carefully and email ensembles@nyos.co.uk if you have any questions.
Travel - getting to and from the course
We're looking forward to welcoming you to Strathallan!
Our orchestra courses take place at Strathallan School in Forgandenny, Perthshire. The school has a page on their website to assist you in planning your travel, which is linked below.
If you are travelling by car, you are asked to arrive at Strathallan School between 11:30-11:45 on the start day of your course.
If you would like to use public transport, coach transport will be available for you from Perth Railway Station, departing at 11:15 on the morning of the start day of your course. Please note that the coach departure is unable to be delayed due to latecomers.
Please note: Strathallan is a nut-free campus, and bringing anything onsite which contains nuts is prohibited. Please do not bring any items containing nuts to the course. This is for the safety and wellbeing of your fellow musicians.
Accommodation
This is a fully residential course with all participants staying on site at Strathallan School. You will have a room to yourself, with shared bathroom facilities and towels provided.
Rooming arrangements are prepared by NYOS and confirmed with Strathallan prior to the course. You are not permitted to change rooms. Your parents/guardians are welcome to help settle you into your bedroom if they wish.
As visitors to Strathallan School, we expect you to treat the school buildings and grounds with respect, behaving in a manner befitting of NYOS musicians. Any damage caused to property when in residence must be paid for by those responsible.
Meals & Food
On the course, NYOS will provide all meals from lunchtime on the first day of your course through to dinner on the final concert day.
Your dietary requirements were requested as part of your response form when you accepted your place on the course. NYOS will inform catering staff at Strathallan of these and ensure that the appropriate meals are provided.
All meals and snacks will be served in the dining room during the course, and if you have dietary requirements, you should make yourself known to the Strathallan catering team at mealtimes. Don't worry - pastoral staff will be there to guide you to the allergen counter.
Please let us know if there has been any change to your dietary requirements as soon as possible.
What to Bring
Anything you bring to the course is your responsibility and NYOS cannot accept responsibility for any items lost during the course. If you have any questions or want to discuss essential items, please contact ensembles@nyos.co.uk.
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Your instrument and relevant equipment This includes reeds, additional strings, and double bass stools.
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A music stand All participants must bring a foldable music stand.
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Clothes It's important that you feel comfortable during rehearsals, so bring suitable clothes.
We are delighted that as part of your place in NYOS, we will provide you with an exclusive free member hoodie. These are yours to keep as a memento of your time in the orchestra and we'd love to know what you think of them!
You have already told us your hoodie size, but if you need to change this, please email ensembles@nyos.co.uk.
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Waterproof jacket and shoes While most of the activity is indoors, there will be some walking outside when moving between rehearsal spaces. There may also be some opportunities from outdoor leisure activities.
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A refillable water bottle With a sports cap if possible!
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Concert clothing It is a good idea to bring a separate small bag to transport your concert clothes, as you may not have access to your suitcase at all times on concert day. See below for guidance on concert dress.
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Toiletries Towels are provided in your accommodation, but please bring shampoo, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste and any other toiletries you may require.
Instruments, Accessories & Music Stands
It is essential that your instrument(s) is/are in perfect working order for the duration of the course. Make sure any repairs or work are completed on your instrument prior to the course.
We know that situations can arise on courses where repairs are needed and we will support with these. Any repair costs to the instruments during the course will be the musician's responsibility. All instruments must have suitable cases.
Please note that all participants are required to bring a foldable music stand, a pencil and an eraser.
Rehearsals
You should be at your rehearsals ten minutes before each rehearsal is due to begin and you should have your instruments ready to tune five minutes before the rehearsal is due to start.