Why do we have auditions?

Auditions can be scary things… but they can also be a really good way to express your musicianship in a short space of time. We enjoy hearing you, and hope that you will enjoy playing to us…

Running auditions each year ensures that the quality of the orchestras’ playing remains at the highest possible level. We do everything we can to make sure that the audition process is fair and welcoming for everyone taking part, and that it works to the benefit of the orchestras as a whole. Everyone in the orchestras auditions every year.

We recommend that you apply for membership of as many different school, area and county groups as possible: sometimes (especially if you play a popular instrument) certain sections of the Youth Orchestras get crowded, and it may be very hard to win a place. The more chances you give yourself, the more success you are likely to have to play with an ensemble in the coming year.