Thank you for your interest in applying for the New York Youth Symphony!
Please read everything carefully on this page before applying.
All Programs Except Crescendo
Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 22. In order to participate in the 2023/2024 season, the applicant's date of birth must be no earlier than May 26, 2001 and no later than November 19, 2011.
Crescendo
Crescendo applicants must be between the ages of 10 and 18. In order to participate in the 2023/2024 season, the applicant's date of birth must be no earlier than April 21, 2005 and no later than November 20, 2013.
Step 1: Fill out an application
All applicants must complete a single application, which may be applied to one or more programs, except Crescendo. The application fee is $95 and is non-refundable. Application fee waivers and financial aid are available. Please apply for BOTH within the application.
Crescendo has its own application, and there is no fee to submit an application.
Step 2: Sign up for an audition/interview
Upon submitting an application, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to sign up for an audition/interview. Auditions/interviews will be held on the following dates:
Orchestra: Select dates between August 14th and September 3rd
Chamber Music: Select dates between September 5th & 17th
Jazz: September 24th, 25th & October 1st
Composition: September 7th & 9th
Musical Theater Songwriting: September 20th & 22nd
Conducting: August 28th & 29th
Crescendo August 23rd, 25th, 28th & 29th
Step 3: Attend your audition/interview
All auditions/interviews will take place at the NYYS Office, located at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY.
- Orchestra: $625
- Chamber Music: $450
- Composition: $395
- Musical Theater Songwriting: $385
- Jazz: $95
- Apprentice Conducting: $195
- Crescendo: Free
The NYYS recognizes that the cost of application and registration fees may be prohibitive for some students, and that access to technology may be a barrier to participation. Financial aid, application fee waivers, work-study, and technology funds are available to help offset these expenses. Financial need is the major consideration when awarding assistance. We ask that students seek funding through their personal networks in addition to completing the financial aid application as funds are limited. The application for financial assistance is within the main application.
The online application should take 15-20 minutes to complete. Please make sure you have all of the documents and information listed below before you begin your application, as you cannot save your work and resume at a later time.
Required Information and Documents include:
- Eligibility documentation: Digital copy of passport, state ID or birth certificate, or letter from your school verifying age (JPEG or PDF files must be 1 MB or less).
- Your private music teacher's name and contact information, if applicable.
- Your school's name and school music teacher's contact information, if applicable.
- If you are under 18 years old, a parent/guardian must be available to provide legal consent for participation.
- Upon submission of the application, applicants will receive an email confirming successful submission. Please note that some programs have a supplemental form that must be completed prior to your audition/interview. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 15 minutes, please email info[at]nyys[dot]org or call (212) 581-5933.
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