Applications are now open for budding classical musicians to audition for a place in the prestigious South African National Youth Orchestra and become part of SA’s Green and Gold Symphonic Team.
The National Youth Orchestra is formed each year at courses run during the holidays, and comprise of South Africa’s top young musical talent. Auditions are for all the programmes in 2020, including the Winter Course in Johannesburg from 13-21 June, and any additional tours and workshops.
Musicians wishing to apply this year must play an orchestral instrument, be of at least Grade 7 music level, be under 25 or turning 26 in 2020, and be a resident of South Africa. Applications close on 20 March 2020. Auditions will take place during April.
Potential orchestra members include players from communities across the country, that are chosen on merit through two auditions. The first of these is an anonymously recorded audition, after which a live audition is played behind-screen, in front of an expert audition panel at the course.
The National Youth Orchestra has supported the development of South Africa’s young musicians through its courses and training programmes for over half a century. Its legacy is far-reaching with a representation of alumni in top professional orchestras in South Africa, and across the globe.
The orchestra has performed with a diverse range of local and global artists and personalities including Archbishop Tutu, Sir James Galway, Judith Sephuma, Osmo Vanska, Gcina Mhlope, Barbara Hendricks and Sir Roger Norrington.
Sophia Welz, Managing Director of the National Youth Orchestra says “The National Youth Orchestra courses create exciting performance opportunities for young musicians to interact with the world’s leading music professionals, both nationally and internationally, and are the perfect way for finding pathways to professional careers, bringing people together, and forging lifelong friendships.”
To make the courses open to all who wish to attend, bursaries, scholarships and payment plans are available, but they are only decided on after a successful audition.
Applications are now open and can be completed online at www.sanyo.org.za.
The National Youth Orchestra audition tour is supported by Classic 1027 and Business and Arts South Africa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UII3x7tQxQ
