OVERVIEW

National Youth Orchestra of Wales was established in 1945 with its first performance in 1946; it has the distinction of being the first national youth orchestra in the world.

As with all NYAW ensembles, the Orchestra develops a first-class training experience into performances that are full of energy and passion and works with esteemed, professional musicians to help deliver its key strategic aim of excellence.

Musicians are auditioned annually at centres across Wales with approximately 100 young musicians selected, depending on the repertoire requirements.

NYOW PROGRAMME 2024

Conductor
Tianyi Lu

Programme
Niamh O’Donnell – Five Windows

Stravinsky – Firebird Suite (1945)

INTERVAL

Prokofiev – Romeo and Juliet (Selected movements)

2024 DATES

COST

Cost: £630

Your membership fee includes all tuition costs, accommodation, food and board, travel within the residency and social activities. Thanks to the generous support from our funders and supporters, National Youth Arts Wales subsidises a significant part of the costs of being a member of one of the national youth ensembles.

Our Bursary Fund could help to cover some, or all, of the membership fees, so that no-one is deterred from applying for the NYAW Ensembles for financial reasons. If you have an annual household income of less than £70,000, you could be eligible for financial support.

Additionally, for the first time this year and with support from The Leverhulme Trust, we can offer full Fee Waivers and additional support towards travel expenses and other costs associated with NYAW membership for those who need it most.

Bursaries for National Youth Orchestra of Wales members are generously supported by The Leverhulme Trust and The Friends of National Youth Orchestra Wales.

Visit NYAW BURSARY FUND for full information including how to claim help toward audition costs and membership fees.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the 2024 orchestra are now open - the deadline is 8 October 2023.

Our audition process has now started, however if you would like to be considered for a late application, please email nyaw@nyaw.org.uk.

Bursary Fund

Our Bursary Fund could help to cover some or all of the membership fees, so that no-one is deterred from applying for the NYAW Ensembles for financial reasons. If you have an annual household income of less than £70,000, you could be eligible for financial support. Visit NYAW BURSARY FUND for full information including how to claim help toward audition costs and membership fees.

Bursaries for National Youth Orchestra of Wales members are generously supported by The Leverhulme Trust and The Friends of National Youth Orchestra Wales.

Eligibility

Applicants should normally be of grade 8 standard although you do not have to have taken a grade 8 exam at time of audition. You should be aged between 16 and 22, on 31 August 2024. (This means that you may be able to audition aged 15, as long as you will be 16 by this date). We may take younger participants into the ensembles where on occasions extraordinary talent is shown. This will be solely at the discretion of NYAW. You must either have been born in Wales and/or currently living in Wales, or studying full-time in Wales.

NYAW reserves the right to exclude anyone from taking part in its ensembles at its reasonable discretion, to be exercised by senior staff or trustees.

For any questions about our eligibility criteria, please email us at: nyaw@nyaw.org.uk.