Audition Guidelines
How to apply
Apply using the online application form on the UYO website (www.uyo.org.uk/howtojoin)
A non-refundable audition registration fee of £25 is required before an audition can be scheduled. Payments can be made online through the UYO website.
CRITERIA
Age
Applicants must be aged between 14 & 23 on 7th August 2025.
Standard
Applicants must be of a standard equivalent to at least ABRSM Grade 7.
Nationality
Applicants will be accepted from musicians who:
- Were born in Northern Ireland
- Live in Northern Ireland
- Are in full-time study in Northern Ireland (at least 12 hours per week)
- Have family ties to Northern Ireland but live elsewhere
Preference will be given to musicians who fulfil the above criteria however consideration will be given to other applicants to ensure the necessary orchestral balance and preserve the excellence and continuing high standards of the Ulster Youth Orchestra.
Qualifications gained or previous membership of UYO do not guarantee success at audition – all candidates must re-apply for a place in the Orchestra and are assessed on their performance on the day.
Places are allocated based on the numbers required for the 2025 repertoire.
The audition
Auditions will be live and in person only and on these dates:
- Friday 20th December 2024 (Strabane)
- Saturday 21st December 2024 (Belfast)
- Sunday 22nd December 2024 (Belfast)
Your audition time and excerpts will be sent out beforehand, after the closing date of Friday 1st November 2024.
What to play
Candidates will be required to play two contrasting pieces of their own choice and a selection of prepared orchestral excerpts.
Own choice pieces can be small sections taken from longer pieces and don’t have to be the start of movements – select an appropriate part of the piece that will show the panel your capabilities.
Remember that we are looking for orchestral players, so select music that highlights your musicianship as well as your technical ability. Don’t worry if the panel stop you before you finish your pieces. The pieces should be a combined length of 6-8 minutes.
You will be asked to prepare a selection of orchestral extracts in advance of your audition.
- Listen to the pieces that the extracts are taken from.
- Think about their orchestral context.
- Think about appropriate speeds, dynamics and phrasing.
- Be prepared to play them in different ways, as directed by the panel.
Auditions are strictly unaccompanied.
Percussion
Percussion candidates are asked to play two contrasting pieces – one on xylophone and one on either snare drums or timpani.
The panel (all candidates)
The UYO strives to ensure panels are balanced, where possible, by gender and community background and that there are no known conflicts of interest between panel and candidate e.g. family or student/teacher connections.
Late Auditions
Occasionally we have vacancies for certain instruments at other times of the year. These will be advertised via our website and social media.
Results
We aim to release your results within four weeks of your audition.
Reserve list
A reserve list of those candidates who met the required standard will be created if the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available.
Feedback
Feedback is not offered automatically due to the number of candidates who audition however can be requested by emailing manager@uyo.org.uk
If you are not chosen this time, we hope you will continue practising and enjoying your music and apply again next year. It will not be possible to repeat your audition for this year if you are unsuccessful – you will only have one chance to audition.
The decision of the UYO audition panel members in the choice of players is final.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Cost for 2025 membership is £575. This represents less than 50% of the true cost per member and the remainder is subsidised by the Ulster Youth Orchestra.
Membership fees cover free entry to all our activities and opportunities during the year and all meals, accommodation, tutoring and transport to social and concert venues during the residential course and concert period.
A limited Bursary Fund is available for musicians who are in genuine financial need however we expect that you apply to your local council, school, college, local business or one of the many Trusts and Foundations that offer student bursaries before applying to the UYO Bursary Fund. Email manager@uyo.org.uk for further details.
Commitment
We expect participants to be available for all the course dates and commit to the orchestra and their fellow musicians however if you do have any problems with the dates, it is important that you get in touch at your earliest convenience.
Participants may not be excused for one of the following reasons:
- They have chosen to attend another course or activity knowing or could have reasonably expected to know that it will clash with a UYO course with no mention to UYO.
- Their family has booked a holiday
- They have booked a social activity or event that clashes with a UYO course
Permission to be excused will usually be granted for one of the following reasons:
- They are representing their country in other activity e.g. sport
- They are attending activities relating to further education studies e.g. graduation
- They are attending their school in conjunction with GCSE or A level results
- Medical appointments where it is not possible to re-schedule
NB: Due to the disruption caused by absences, if you are not available for the full course you will forfeit your role as section leader/leader of the orchestra in favour of someone who is able to attend in full. This would come into effect if UYO has given you permission to be absent from the course for more than 24 hours.
GDPR
We ensure all application and bursary forms received will be kept electronically and physically safe. Application forms from all candidates will be securely disposed of 12 months after the application deadline. Bursary forms will be securely disposed of 12 months after the completion of the funders’ reports.
POLICIES
Disability Policy
The Ulster Youth Orchestra welcomes applications from disabled young musicians who satisfy the usual criteria for application to audition. A musician who wins a place in the orchestra will not be omitted because of that disability. The orchestra will use its best endeavours to ensure that a disabled member of the orchestra can take as full a part as possible in all its activities: not just participation in performances, but in social activities also.
Complaints Policy
A copy of our complaints policy is available upon request.
Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk
A copy of our Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy is available here.