Saxophone applications are now open for the 2025 Orchestra!
This year, the Orchestra will be performing some special orchestral works that feature saxophone, including Ravel’s Bolero and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.
Saxophone players, we’re inviting you to play your part and apply now.
Are you ready for the greatest musical adventure?
Imagine taking your seat in this cutting-edge orchestra, performing in amazing spaces, inspired by the awesome people around you and inspiring others too. It takes serious preparation but is seriously rewarding.
As part of the Orchestra you’ll find a place to shape your world through music. You’ll soar in your musical development, discover new music and new ideas, and play your part as an inspirational role model for other young people.
How to join?
It’s FREE to audition for NYO.
We start from scratch every year, excited to build an orchestra of the UK’s most motivated musical young people.
To apply, follow these steps:
- Visit Musicians’ Portal and click ‘Create Account’ or sign straight in if you already have one.
- Once you’ve created your account, email orchestra@nyo.org.uk asking for access to the saxophone application form.
- Complete your application and submit your video audition recording by Sunday 3 November 2024.
For your video audition, you will need to prepare a solo piece and orchestral excerpts. Orchestral excerpts are an important part of your auditions and are chosen so that you can demonstrate your exploration and understanding of orchestral musicianship.
You can find the orchestral excerpts for the saxophone here. You will need a password to access the excerpts. This is NYO2025Excerpts.
Who can apply to play saxophone in the Orchestra?
You’ll be 13 – 18 years old, a British citizen or living or studying in the UK.
If you play saxophone at an advanced level, we want to hear you. Musicians will usually be playing at a level equivalent to Grade 8, but with no need for formal graded exams.
We welcome applications from musicians at secondary school, sixth form college, university and from those who are home-schooled. We don’t accept applications from those studying full-time at a college of music, or on a joint course with a college of music.
Applications for other instruments have now closed.