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 The National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYOC) is a federally chartered, non-profit organization devoted to the discovery and training of young Canadian musicians. Considered a Canadian treasure, the NYOC has a tremendous history and has established a reputation as a leading educational training ground and launch pad for some of Canada’s best-known orchestral talent. Its alumni form the core of major Canadian orchestras, while others are members of prominent international orchestras; David Hetherington (TSO), Robert Cram (Juno Award Winner) and Marie Bérard (COC) to name a few. Every year the NYOC receives an average of 500 applications from across Canada for a coveted 100 positions in its youth orchestra. Its audition process is considered the most rigorous of its kind: auditionees are required to play a solo and an orchestral excerpt as well as scales and exercises on their instrument for a judging committee made up of a distinguished panel of Canada’s leading musicians (often NYOC alumni themselves). “The auditions provide young musicians with the opportunity to gain the experience of a live audition and to compare their skills on a national level. This professional level test applies methods and materials used by famous orchestras around the world. In fact, a position in the NYOC is so sought after that many of our young hopefuls compete multiple times to secure a spot,” says NYOC executive director Barbara Smith. Once selected, the 100 lucky young people come together for a six-day-a-week, four week training session, where a typical day includes sectionals, individual lessons, full orchestra rehearsals, master classes and workshops on topics such as performance anxiety and injury prevention. This year the four-week training session will take place at the University of Western Ontario campus. Following the training session, the newly-formed orchestra embarks on the three-week tour which, this year, will take them across Quebec and Ontario to such esteemed venues as Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall. For the years, the reviews and praised bestowed on the NYOC has been nothing short of amazing. “Internationally renown and the most important in Canada, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada is the cradle of today’s professional musicians and promises a bright future.” “The audience was left speechless before the virtuosity and energy of these young talents.” “For anyone with an eye to the future, this has got to be Canada’s most important orchestra.” “The capacity audience was on its feet even after the first half, whooping and whistling. This wasn’t a program designed to make it easy on young players. These are demanding orchestral showpieces, and the students rose to the occasion.” “The best youth orchestra in the world” For more information on the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, visit our web site at www.nyoc.org For media inquiries or to arrange a media interview, contact: |