We expect applications and audition excerpts for the 2023-24 season to open in mid-June. Please check back then!
Begin Application Learn MoreAll applicants must complete a single application, which may be applied to one or more programs. The application fee is $95 and is non-refundable. Application fee waivers and financial aid are available. Please apply for BOTH within the application.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email with a link to schedule your audition, plus a link for you to fill out a program-specific supplemental form, which must be completed before your audition/interview. Please note that auditions can only be scheduled online. All auditions/interviews except for the Conducting program will be held in-person, however, if you are not in the NYC area at the time of the auditions, please contact the NYYS office to schedule a virtual audition, which will be granted on a limited basis.
Please read everything carefully in this section before applying.
New York Youth Symphony serves students 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.
Please check back in mid-June for the exact audition dates for the 2023/2024 season.
The 2022/2023 season audition dates were:
Orchestra: August 29th ~ September 6th
Chamber Music: September 6th & 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 17th & 18th
Composition: September 8th & 9th
Musical Theater Songwriting: October 7th & 8th
Jazz: September 28th, 29th & October 1st
Conducting: September 21st (Virtual interview on Zoom)
Registration fees for the 2023/24 season are as follows:
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.
Students are required to be vaccinated and boosted with an FDA-authorized vaccine to participate in our programs.
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).
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster.
- 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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