AUDITIONS for South African National Youth Orchestra
Hundreds of young musicians are expected to apply to audition for a place in the prestigious South African National Youth Orchestra.
This is a very special year for the orchestra where they will celebrate their 50th anniversary.
The orchestra is formed each year at the Sasol National Youth Orchestra courses and is comprised of the South Africa’s top young musical talent. Members include players from communities across the country, and are chosen on musical merit through two auditions. The first of these is an anonymous recorded audition, after which a live audition is 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 that include programmes for instrument repair technicians, young conductors, arts administrators and young composer training. 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 Nationals courses and programmes for young orchestral musicians between the ages of 13 and 25 that have attained a minimum Grade 6 music level. The courses help to equip young people with the skills to perform in a professional musical environment, and introduce them to a necessary network of fellow musicians. In the orchestra’s big celebration year they will be performing in the pit for Vuyani Dance Theatre’s 15th anniversary production “Full Moon” in April/May in Johannesburg, then the National Youth Wind Orchestra will gather in Durban in June/July for the Sasol Winter Course and in December the National Youth Orchestra for 2014 will play alongside National Youth Orchestra alumni spanning its five decades, starting in Stellenbosch and Cape Town and doing a tour of South Africa.
The orchestra has appeared on stage with some of the worlds’ best, among them Sir Roger Norrington, Gérard Korsten, Judith Sephuma and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Archbishop had this to say about the orchestra, “Music is important in the lives of young people, it is rare not to see a young person engrossed in music. The National Youth Orchestra is important because it opens up another world of music to the youth. It allows them to become makers of the music not just listeners. Youth in South Africa have so many opportunities available to them and my hope is that they are able to engage themselves fully in these opportunities.”
How to apply
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 on their website at www.sanyo.org.za. Young musicians wishing to apply must play an orchestral instrument, be of at least Grade 6 music level and be resident in Southern Africa. To apply visit www.sanyo.org.za or email [email protected].
Closing date: 28 February 2014
