Applications for all of our programs are open NOW!
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 2024/2025 season, the applicant's date of birth must be between May 25, 2002 and November 24, 2012.
Crescendo
Crescendo applicants must be between the ages of 10 and 18. In order to participate in the 2024/2025 season, the applicant's date of birth must be between April 13, 2006 and November 24, 2014.
Step 1: Fill out an application
All applicants must fill out the an application, which may be applied to one or more programs. The application fee is $100 and is non-refundable, except Crescendo applicants, which has no application fee. Application fee waivers and financial aid for our registration fees are available. Please apply for BOTH within the application.
Step 1A: Prescreening
**New for 2024**
- All new string applicants for our Orchestra program will need to submit prescreening materials by Monday, July 8th. String applicants will be notified shortly after July 22nd if they pass the prescreening process. Returning string applicants does not need to submit any prescreening materials.
If you would like to still apply after July 8th, we will still accept your application but cannot guarantee full consideration/priority scheduling of audition slots. The NYYS still encourages you to apply, as late applicants still may be invited to audition based on audition slot availability.
- New applicants of the Robert L. Poster Conducting Program, the Music Director and the Assistant Conductor will decide who will be invited to the interview, after the review of the application form. Returning students are automatically invited to the interview.
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 16th and September 1st
Chamber Music: September 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 15th
Jazz: June 23rd, 30th & September 8th
Composition: September 9th, 10th, 11th
Musical Theater Songwriting: June 13th, 14th & September 25th, 26th
Conducting: August 27th & 28th, & September 1st
Crescendo August 21st, 26th, 29th, 30th
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: $635
- Chamber Music: $460
- Composition: $405
- Musical Theater Songwriting: $395
- Jazz: $105
- Apprentice Conducting: $205
- 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. We recommend you having all the materials and information ready before you begin, as you cannot save your application & resume at a later time. If you are under 18 years old, a parent/guardian must be available to provide legal consent for participation.
Some of the required Information include:
- Recognition photo: a clear photo of the applicant
- 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 applying to the Conducting, Musical Theater Songwriting, and Composition Programs, you will need to prepare and submit supplemental materials related to the program. Please check their respective program pages to see what you need to submit.
Upon submission of the application, applicants will receive an email confirming successful submission. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 15 minutes, please email info[at]nyys[dot]org or call (212) 581-5933.
Donate today and help support our students continue their journey and become a part of our community of musicians and change the landscape of what the musical world look like today.
DonateExperience all the hard work, practice and rehearsals that our students take on and show up to see them perform at one of our many concerts throughout the season.
Get TicketsTake the plunge and give yourself an opportunity to become a part of our amazing community of musicians, songwriters, composers and conductors.
Apply Today