Opportunities & Development
National Children’s Orchestra
Requirements to join NCO: Ages 8-13. Application (deadline 14 September 2021) and video audition (deadline 1 October 2021) with 2 contrasting pieces not exceeding 10 minutes, if applying for National programme orchestra excerpts also
NCO National: Residential programmes at Easter and summer holidays with a non-residential weekend plus concert in December. Orchestras divided by age,
NCO Projects: Non-residential, weekend-based projects from Feb-June
National Youth String Orchestra, Intermediate Orchestras
Requirements to join NYSO: Grade 5 and up. Application form (deadline 20 October 2021) and video audition (1 piece, various scales and arpeggios, 3 short, quick-learn orchestral excerpts)
Orchestra A: ages 9-12, Easter and summer holidays residencies.
Orchestra B: ages 13-17, Easter and summer holidays residencies.
National Schools Symphony Orchestras
Requirements to join NSSO: Applications open September 2021. Application and audition for one of 3 ensembles
Philharmonic: Beyond Grade 8, up to age 18
Sinfonia: Grade 6-8, up to age 18
Academy: Grade 3-5, ages 8-13
National Youth Music Camps
Play your cello in ensembles of all sizes, from small groups to full camp orchestra, with opportunities to improvise, try other musical styles and instruments even. Instrumental tutors lead workshops, with evening concerts, campfires, and socialising
Requirements to join NYMC: There is no minimum grade of entry, but a love of music and an enthusiasm for music-making is essential
Junior Camps: Ages 8-12
Teen Camps: Ages 13-17
Aldeburgh Young Musicians
Residencies with week-long and weekend projects throughout the year. On becoming a member of AYM, membership lasts until age 18.
Requirements to join AYM:
Applicants ages 10-17
A clear passion for music, interest in benefiting from what is offered and desire to be the best you can be.
Audition is a 45-minute interactive experience of performing, talking, workshopping excerpts, musical games, a chance to show your potential.
Fiddle Camps
If you’re interest in Scottish Trad, the wonderful cellist Natalie Haas’s website links to the many folk music courses she teaches at> her collaborator Alisdair Fraser is worth checking out too.
National Youth Orchestra
Requirements to join NYO: Deadline 20 June 2021.
Above Grade 8, ages 13-18.
Audition requirements include:
1st round video (pieces, orchestral excerpts, spoken introduction)
Final Round Assessment Day (in-person audition with pieces, orchestral excerpts, join in on a workshop run by NYO tutors alongside peers
Requirements to join NYO Inspire:
Grades 6-8, age 13-18
Go to a state-school/home-schooled, OR are Black, Asian or ethnically-diverse
Application online (Deadline 11 July 2021), no video audition needed
NYO Inspire Projects consist of:
Inspire Digital, online residencies that give the chance to meet peers, learn from one another and prepare for in-person workshops
Inspire Days, day-long projects in orchestral workshops and rehearsals
Inspire Ensembles, 3-day residencies spent exploring repertoire and orchestral techniques, split by orchestral family groups (Strings, Winds, Brass etc)
Community Orchestras
South London Youth Orchestra, Dulwich
Meets 3 times a year for 4-day courses culminating in a concert.
Requirements to join SLYO:
First Orchestra, Grade 8+, age 14+
Second Orchestra, Grade 6-8, age 11-16
Third Orchestra, Grade 4+, age 7+
Fourth Orchestra (String Orchestra), Grades 2-4, age 7-12
Thames Youth Orchestra, Richmond
Currrently hosting online play-alongs on Thursdays at 6:30PM-7:30PM, and In-person Sectionals Mondays 5:45PM-7:15PM
Requirements to join TYO:
Grade 6/7 at minimum
Informal audition consisting of attending a rehearsal and playing a short piece to the section (possible sight-reading)
Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra, Wimbledon
Requirements to join SYO: Audition with 2 contrasting pieces, possible sight-reading
Esher and Thames Ditton Youth Orchestra
Requirements to join EDYO: Grade 4 and up, age 8-16, no audition
Adult Amateur Orchestras
Here are a couple directories (map and website) of amateur orchestras in London, and some I have listed below that seem to be friendly, open groups.