With its sophisticated programming, performances in one of the world's greatest concert halls, superb musical leadership under Music Director Michael Repper, new works commissioned of the nation's best young composers, outstanding soloists, and professional-level attitude, the New York Youth Symphony Orchestra sets itself apart as one of the finest ensembles in the nation.
Recent orchestra highlights include its first-ever tours to Spain and Argentina, appearances on CNN, an appearance with the Tribeca Film Festival, an appearance on Jimmy Fallon, and an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! performing with Misty Copeland.
The orchestra also released their professional recording album on Avie records during the Covid-19 pandemic featuring pianist Michelle Cann, which won the 2023 Grammy for Best Orchestral Performance. The album can be streamed/purchased here.
There are three concerts per season at Carnegie Hall. The concert dates for the 2023/2024 season are as follows:
Sunday, November 19th, 2023, at 2PM
Sunday, March 10th, 2023, at 2PM
Sunday, May 26th, 2024, at 2PM
Orchestra rehearsals are held on Sundays from 2-6pm at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music,
located at 450 West 37th Street, New York, NY.
The orchestra will travel on retreat to Camp DeWolfe in Wading River, NY from September 8-10. The students will travel to camp by bus unless otherwise arranged, and the students will engage in rehearsals and bonding activities in this picturesque setting over the weekend. Please note that attendance to Kickoff is mandatory, and parents of students aged 14 and under should be prepared to chaperone.
Sectional rehearsals are held once per concert cycle, led by members of the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and prominent musicians in the NYC metropolitan area.
Each season, the Orchestra performs the world premiere of three pieces by young American composers commissioned through the NYYS First Music program. Orchestra members collaborate with today’s most gifted young composers in a unique opportunity for both composer and player to realize musical dreams and surmount the challenges of giving the world a new work of art. See the First Music page for more information.
Fellowships are offered each season to principal string, wind, brass, and percussion players. Additional fellowships are awarded to students who mentor first-year members. Fellows have unique responsibilities within their section, participate in community outreach, and make a commitment for performing new works by students of the Composition program at the annual Orchestration Reading Workshop and Composition Date Concert.
Applicants should review the guidelines on this page to ensure they can fulfill the commitment to the program before applying.
Orchestra auditions will be held on August 29th through September 6th at the NYYS offices at 110 West 40th Street, New York, NY. Upon completing the online application, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to schedule your audition online as well as the supplemental form, which must be completed before your audition. All auditions 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.
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 birth date must be no earlier than May 26, 2001 and no later than November 19, 2011, inclusive. Please do not apply if your birth date falls outside of these dates as you will not be eligible for the program and we are not able to refund your application fee.
Students are required to be vaccinated and boosted with an FDA-authorized vaccine to participate in our programs.
During your audition you will be asked to play orchestral excerpts per instrument as well as solo repertoire. Due to time limitations, you may not be asked to perform each excerpt or your solo repertoire. Please place the highest priority in your preparation on the excerpts. You may also be asked to sight-read, and demonstrate basic techniques on your instrument, which may include knowledge of major and minor scales and/or bowing/tonguing techniques.
You can view and download the audition excerpts below.
Registration fees for the 2023/24 season are as follows:
Orchestra: $625
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 allowed a maximum of two excused absences during each concert cycle, up to a total of five absences for the season. Please note that there are mandatory rehearsals and performances for each concert cycle. Mandatory dates are noted in the program calendar which is distributed upon acceptance to the program. Absences from mandatory events will result in dismissal from the concert and/or program, with the possible exception of a death in the family or a serious medical emergency, including COVID-19 related illness.
Begin Application
Below you will find the excerpts to download for your audition and additional instructions of what to prepare for your audition. Please prepare all excerpts in the packet.
Concertmaster, principal, and auxiliary wood wind excerpts and instructions are all included in the corresponding excerpt packets if you would like to audition for these positions.
*Please note that applicants only need to prepare the Timpani excerpts if they want to audition to be the Timpanist for the season. Excerpts are included in the main percussion excerpt file.
CLICK AN INSTRUMENT TO DOWNLOAD AUDITION PACKET
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