National Youth
Orchestra
of Wales
Your stage awaits!
Registrations for National Youth Orchestra of Wales 2025 auditions are now OPEN!
Deadline:
“2026 sees the first national youth orchestra in the world celebrate its 80th Anniversary! We’re looking forward to celebrating in style and we’re very glad to be welcoming back renowned conductor, Carlo Rizzi, to help us do that.
Carlo has developed a very successful, long-standing relationship with the Orchestra and its musicians. We know that he will bring his usual energy and enthusiasm to ensure 2026 is one to remember.
As well as working with Carlo you’ll receive the very best training from a top-class creative team and perform in some wonderful venues. You'll also have a lot of fun and make life-long friendships whilst having the honour of representing your country doing something you love. What more can you want?”
A note from NYOW Producer
Matthew Jones
National Youth Orchestra of Wales Producer
2026 Programme
Conductor: Carlo Rizzi
Carlo Rizzi holds a long-standing reputation as one of the world’s foremost operatic conductors, in demand as a guest artist at the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals. Equally at home in the opera house and the concert hall, his vast repertoire spans everything from the foundation works of the operatic and symphonic canon to rarities by Bellini, Cimarosa and Donizetti to Giordano, Pizzetti and Montemezzi.
Since 2019, Rizzi is Music Director of Opera Rara, the UK-based company and since 2015, he has been Conductor Laureate of the Welsh National Opera, following his tenure as Music Director (1992-2001 and 2004-8).
He also has held long- standing relationships with the Teatro alla Scala, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Repertoire: Next year’s repertoire is currently TBC, but rest assured, we’re planning a concert programme worthy of such an auspicious anniversary year.
How to apply…
Apply by:
12 October 2025
Auditions:
16 November 2025 - 7 December 2025
Video deadline: Sunday 30th November 2025
Results:
*15 December 2025
Auditions:
16th November – North Wales
23rd November – Carmarthen
6th December – Cardiff
7th December – Cardiff
Rehearsals:
Meet the Nationals: Thursday 26th February (Online)
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March (Strings Only)
Tuesday 21st July – Tuesday 4th August
Performances:
Performances are currently TBC but will be held in venues across Wales at the end of the residency.
*Week commencing.
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Cost: £1080
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 (NYAW) subsidises a significant part of the costs of being a member of one of the national youth ensembles.
However, we aim to make sure that money is never a barrier to participation in any of our ensembles or projects. We understand that for some applicants this contribution may be out of reach, which is why we run a generous bursary scheme that supports where support is needed.
If you have an annual household income of less than £125,000, Our Bursary Fund could help to cover some, or all, of your membership fee.
We also offer an instalment payment plan.
Visit NYAW BURSARY FUND for full information
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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 2025. (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 on occasions where 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.