Audition FAQ

Audition times will be emailed to applicants in mid-December. Please set your spam filters to accept email from nyoc.org.

Updated: September 2011

1. Who can apply to audition?
2. Who can participate in the NYOC?
3. What is the NYOC Audition Process?
4. What are the selection criteria of the NYOC?
5. What do I have to play for the audition?
6. When is my audition?
7. Will there be a warm-up room at the audition?
8. What if I can't travel to an audition city?
9. How much does it cost to apply?
10. When is the Application Deadline?
11. What happens after the auditions?
12. If I am accepted to the 2012 NYOC, how much will it cost to participate?
13. Are there Awards/honourariums available?
14. The NYOC program begins before my exam schedule at school finishes. What can I do?
15. What web browser should I be using for filling out my NYOC application?

1. Who can apply to audition?

Residents of Canada who study an orchestral instrument between the ages of 14 and 28 years old on June 19th, 2012 can apply. NYOC encourages everyone over age 14 to audition for valuable audition experience.

2. Who can participate in the NYOC?

The age limit for participation in the NYOC is more restricted than participation in the auditions. NYOC age limits are a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 28 by June 23rd of the session year. In exceptional circumstances, a student under the age of 16 may be considered to be eligible.

3. What is the NYOC Audition Process?

NYOC auditions are held in major cities across Canada each January. Auditions are approximately fifteen minutes long and usually consist of a solo lasting 2 to 4 minutes, a variety of orchestral excerpts and possibly some scales and sight-reading. Please see the Audition Repertoire page for specific requirements for your instrument. Annual entry into the NYOC is based on the results of these auditions.

In each city, qualified professional musicians supervise “live” auditions. These auditions are recorded on a DVD. You will be asked to play your Audition Repertoire, in order, without stopping. The resultant recordings are given to our faculty for evaluation.

4. What are the selection criteria of the NYOC?

The essential requirement for securing a position in the NYOC is an excellent performance. Consideration may also be given to development in relation to age, experience, musical leadership and potential for becoming a professional orchestral musician. The NYOC reserves the right to refuse any application.

5. What do I have to play for the audition?

There is a set list of audition repertoire required for each instrument, usually consisting of a solo, orchestral excerpts, and scales. The list and music for each instrument is available to download on the NYOC website. Click here to access the music. Please read the list carefully and be sure to note when scales are required in addition to the excerpts posted. All solos must be played without accompaniment. All audition requirements should be played in the order listed. It is strongly suggested that you obtain recordings of the orchestral repertoire so you have an idea of the tempo and context of the excerpt. For some instruments, there may be sight reading required at the audition. If you have problems downloading the excerpts online, please contact the office and we will mail you the audition repertoire package.

Instrumentalists who wish to be considered for the Canada Council - Michael Measures Prize should click here for details.

6. When is my audition?

You will receive an e-mail in mid-December with your audition time, location and other important information. Please set your spam filters accordingly to receive emails from info@nyoc.org or auditions@nyoc.org, especially if you use hotmail.

If you do not receive an e-mail of your audition time and location by December 14th, 2011, please call our office at 1-888-532-4470 ext 227 or e-mail auditions@nyoc.org.

If it is impossible for you to attend an audition on either the date or time set for you, please contact our office at 1-888-532-4470, ext 227 or e-mail auditions@nyoc.org AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. You will then be advised what alternative arrangements may be possible.

7. Will there be a warm-up room at the audition?

There will be at least one warm-up room at each audition location.

8. What if I can’t travel to an audition city?

Occasionally, because of the location of auditionees or other circumstances, recorded auditions are scheduled.

If you fulfill the eligibility requirements for a recorded audition, you must take the following steps:

• Email auditions@nyoc.org and explain why you need to do a recorded audition;
• If approved, please select “None of the above cities are suitable” on the audition city dropdown list on the application;
• Complete the forms included in the information package which will be emailed to you.

Recorded auditions must be submitted on DVD that can be played on North American players. Please note that it is a new requirement for all recorded auditions be submitted on a video DVD. Audio only recordings will not be accepted. The recordings must be made in the presence of your teacher or another professional musician who must sign the NYOC Recorded Audition Verification Form stating that the audition procedures have been followed.

NOTE:

• Recorded auditions CANNOT be proctored by another current applicant.

• Any student who wishes to apply for the Award of Excellence must attend a live audition. No recorded auditions will be permitted with the exception of harp, keyboard and percussion.

9. How much does it cost to apply?

The Fee Schedule for the 2012 applications:

The application fee for those who apply ON or BEFORE November 14th, 2011 is $75.00 CDN, payable ONLINE only by Visa or Mastercard.
The application fee for those who apply BETWEEN November 15th – December 1st, 2011 will be $100.00 CDN, payable ONLINE only by Visa or Mastercard.

Applications submitted after the December 1st deadline will require a penalty application fee of $200 (Subject to audition time availability).

Please apply early to secure an audition timeslot. Audition timeslots will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. All applications MUST be accompanied by the respective fees before they will be processed. This money will be used by the NYOC to offset the cost of postage, discs, audio rental and auditor's expenses. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferrable.

10. When is the Application Deadline?

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE BY DECEMBER 1st, 2011.

11. What happens after the auditions?

Shortly after the national audition process has been completed (usually in early to mid-March) candidates will be advised as to which category they have been classified:

(a) those who have secured places in the NYOC orchestral and chamber program;
• All recipients will receive a $1000 Achievement Award upon successful completion of program
• Six recipients will receive an additional $4000 Award of Excellence. Click here for more details;

(b) those still under consideration for places as alternates in the NYOC;

Places will be open to alternates in the event of withdrawal by students who qualify ahead of them.

12. If I am accepted to the 2012 NYOC, how much will it cost to participate?

We are pleased to announce that we have eliminated tuition fees for the 2012 session. All members will receive a $1000 Achievement Award in Fall 2012 after successful completion of the program. All training costs, food and housing at the training location as well as travel and accommodation during the tour will be paid for. Students will be responsible for the following costs:

• $300 deposit. Upon successful fulfillment of the student contract and adherence to the NYOC Discipline Code Agreement, $200 of the deposit will be refunded after the session; subject to deductions in the event of property damage, lost/stolen keys, key deposits, or other expenses incurred by the NYOC on behalf of the student;

• Travel costs for yourself and your instrument to the session and from the tour;

• Food costs during the tour: we suggest budgeting $40 day for food and incidentals.

13. Are there awards/honourariums available?

Awards and Honourariums

All 2012 members will receive a $1000 Achievement Award in Fall 2012 upon successful completion of the NYOC program.

NYOC Award of Excellence

The NYOC will award six orchestra members an Award of Excellence valued at $4000. Any student applying to the NYOC is eligible. These awards are intended for the most advanced students who will most likely hold section leadership positions. (These awards will be in addition to the $1000 Achievement Awards that will be awarded to all members of the 2012 orchestra.)

Any student who wishes to apply for the Award of Excellence must attend a live audition. No recorded auditions will be permitted with the exception of harp, keyboard and percussion. Students will need to prepare the regular audition repertoire as well as an additional award excerpt which will be clearly indicated in the audition packet.

If you would like to be considered for this Award of Excellence, you must indicate this on the application form. At the end of the application process, you will be prompted to submit the following:

• Music Resumé (2 pages maximum);

• A paragraph detailing the following:
Describe your musical goals and how the NYOC’s training program will help you to achieve these goals.

Please have these materials ready before completing your application. Please combine your documents into one pdf file with the following format:

Page 1 – Resume (list name, instrument at top of page)

Page 2 – Resume continued (if needed)

Page 2 or 3 – Essay question (list name, instrument at top of page)

Please save the pdf file with the following title format: Last Name, First Name; Instrument, 2012.

Award of Excellence recipients will be notified upon their acceptance in the orchestra. Awards will be awarded in Fall 2012 upon successful completion of the NYOC program.

Canada Council for the Arts - Michael Measures Prize:

Instrumentalists who would like to be considered for the CC-MM Prize should click here.

14. The NYOC Program begins before my exam schedule at school finishes. What can I do?

If it is preapproved by your school, we are able to proctor exams at the NYOC training session. Please make arrangements with your school immediately after you have been accepted in the NYOC, as this process can take several weeks.

15. What web browser should I be using for filling out the NYOC application?

For optimal use, please be sure that you are using Internet Explorer 8.0 or Firefox 3.5.

2010 Audition Repertoire