YOUTH ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS

Hundreds of young musicians are expected to apply to audition for a place in the prestigious South African National Youth Orchestra.

The orchestra is formed each year at the Sasol National Youth Orchestra Course and comprises the top talent of young South African musicians. Members include players from communities all over the country, and are chosen on merit through two auditions. The first of these is an anonymous recorded audition after which a live audition played behind-screen, in front of an expert audition panel.

The South African National Youth Orchestra has supported the training and development of South Africa’s young musicians nationally through its courses and development programmes for nearly half a century. Its legacy is far reaching with representation of alumni in top professional orchestras in South Africa and across the globe.

This year, the Foundation boasts a whole series of national courses and programmes for orchestral musicians between the ages of 13 and 25 who have attained a minimum Grade 6 music level. The courses help to prepare young people with the skills to perform in a professional musical environment, and introduce them to a necessary network of fellow musicians.

The annual Sasol National Youth Orchestra Course will take place from June 22 to July 1, 2012, in Johannesburg. This is an intensive programme filled with challenges and fun for the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) and Concert Orchestra and is made possible by the loyal support of Sasol.

The advanced National Youth Wind Orchestra and National Youth String Orchestra courses are from December 6 to 16 in Cape Town.

To make the courses open to all who wish to attend, bursaries, scholarships and payment plans are available. Applications are now open, and can be completed online at www.sanyo.org.za. Applications close on January 20, 2012. Young musicians wishing to apply must play an orchestral instrument, be of at least Grade 6 music level and be resident in Southern Africa.

More information from Sophia Welz, Managing Director at the South African National Youth Orchestra Foundation on 083 272 2117, email: info@sanyo.org.za or www.sanyo.org.za