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.
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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