NYO 2022

We just watched the NYO concert on TV, how amazing and well done if your kids were in this. DD now inspired to investigate this, would be eligible for inspire as state school, what's the commitment like? We are in Scotland so it would involve traveling but I must admit it being free ( is inspire really all free?) is a draw as NYOS is so expensive.

Huge congratulations to those through to the next round! It's very impressive given the numbers of applicants and high standards. Fingers crossed for you all.

My elder DC applied but didn't make the cut this time round, although she has automatically been enrolled in Inspire. She was pretty stoical though, and commented that this will no doubt be the first of many knockbacks if she does decide that she wants to be a professional musician! She's already preparing material for another orchestral audition on Sunday, and she has a few more years to try again for NYO .

Very exciting ! Hopefully they’ll get through the next round 😀

Just got an email with invitation to final round assessment!

Hi didn’t get an email but there is information on assessment day when I logged onto my kid’s account! Good luck to all😀

Good luck to all!

Not yet, but it should be this week I think?

Anyone heard the outcome of the video submissions as yet? DS has not heard anything

Morning. My ds had his first residential this year. He’s in year 10 so thus far hasn’t had any mega important exam pressure. Although he did say in the spare time in the evening he’d designated for a bit of study he’d found himself to be so tired that he often didn’t bother. The days were very full on but he’s enjoyed it so much. And with each residential he’s got to meet more people and find new friends. He’s applying again this year, so who knows how it will go with his GCSE study if he gets in. I’m sure he’d manage to juggle it! Very invaluable experience so I definitely recommend applying. The buzz of the actual performances has been immense for him, and indeed for us to watch! Hope this helps in some way! Good luck to all your dc’s.

Following with interest as my DD has just applied for the first time and is getting ready to record her audition. She's in Year 11. All advice appreciated!

Hello -

my DD is considering applying for NYO this year, but I'm concerned about the commitment. I know what a great opportunity it is, and if the first residential goes well then the connection with other musicians is invaluable. It does seem like a very big step for her though. She is 14.

Could any of the NYO 2022 members give me an idea of how their DC found the course this year? Is it a delicate balance with school work / family time during the holidays etc.?

Slippersandcake ... 'She’s at state school and the one she was rejected from were very very negative about that in the interview!!' ... do tell which conservatoire dared to take this attitude!

We couldn’t afford it previously. He would have auditioned in year 12 but it was covid year so by the time that was easing he was year 13.

I guess you have to think about when to apply ... we left it too late ... so they know you are on the way. I actually think their audition process is very transparent and fair so I've no complaints, although it would have been a great thing to do.

@Moominmammacat that was also my son’s impression.

My DS applied only in Y13 and didn't get in. He got the impression put very nicely) that it wasn't worth accepting him for just one year.

@SlippersAndCake today his preference is RNCM but it varies! That’s always been his aim but a big RCM scholarship has turned his head a bit. Offer holder days for both in the next week. I think he’ll probably go RNCM when it comes down to it. He’s spoken to his tutor and he’s seeing his head of department for guidance today too. I think RNCM will probably be the best fit for him. How about yours?

@Siriusmuggle They are not looking for the same things though. It's not necessarily a case of who is/is not good enough for NYO.

If he got to the second round then he is good enough!! Not gaining a place is not the same as not being good enough. NYO are trying to put an orchestra together so it will be as much about how the kids work together, how they take direction etc. I do think that kids that show up for Inspire are going to have an edge here because the panel will already know their work ethic.
& I'm not just going on my daughter's experience. She met a boy at the recent course who went to a BYMT course over the summer with about 24 hours notice just because NYO had said they were looking for musicians. I'm sure that having that level of commitment is going to help!
Getting to the second round of auditions means you are an excellent player, but they can't put everyone in!!

Conservatoire is going to be so much more about personal development. Yes, they are also going to get orchestral playing experience. But it is so much more than that!

Good luck to your son with his choices! Does he have any idea yet? My daughter is very stressed about the deadline fast approaching! Offer day at RNCM this weekend will hopefully help but the scholarship is also making the other conservatoire look pretty attractive now too!!

I just mean it seems a bit illogical in some ways. NYO are saying he’s not good enough yet conservatoires think he is! It’s for the best as he really needs to devote some time to passing his A levels otherwise conservatoire is a moot point anyway!

@SlippersAndCake - that's a brilliant success story on both counts: NYO and the conservatoire offers - congratulations!

My son (Year 12 ) didn't get in, and didn't really expect to but found the experience worthwhile and will try again next year. He's state school and so eligible for Inspire - I need to find out what's going on with that. It's so hard for state schools to compete with the advantages private schools have, particularly when kids get to an advanced level. Music services / county youth orchestras etc also often stop having anything to offer after a certain point (although great when younger). I think it's absolutely right that Inspire is directed towards helping those who literally don't have those advantages.

@Siriusmuggle - what do you mean, it's nuts? Do you question NYO's judgement in choosing the best players? I understand it's disappointing (particularly with the years missed due to Covid) but it's a fact of life in the business. You can play wonderfully, but there might be someone out there who just plays that bit better. And you have to suck it up. I think it's really important for the kids to realise that. It's a hard road. No doubt your DS has already had wonderful opportunities and will have more at whichever conservatoire he goes to.

Oh I spoke too soon - she did get a scholarship from one today - seems a bit last minute!!
I think that Inspire is great for providing orchestral experience to musicians that wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity. I'm not musical and have daily regret that I didn't really know anything about junior conservatoire, specialist schools etc. until my daughter had been learning for a long time and it was too late to start down that route. I worry that she has been disadvantaged somewhat. We lucked out in a way that my daughter's teacher moved overseas and her new teacher happened to have been in NYO as a teen and encouraged her to try. She didn't get past the first round twice but has been motivated to keep trying as a result of being in Inspire so it's been great for her and I guess she is the kind of musician it is aimed at. NYO does seem to be providing more and more spaces for musicians who have been in Inspire. I looked at the stats and it has gone from 17% to 47% over the past 5 years.

He wasn’t eligible for inspire since they made it state school only. He used to go when they were open to all.

Was he in inspire @Siriusmuggle?
My dd is Y13 and first year NYO but she showed up to everything Inspire that she could. I do think they push the % that have done Inspire activities.
She has 4/5 conservatoire offers. One unconditional but no scholarships. She’s at state school and the one she was rejected from were very very negative about that in the interview!! She wasn’t impressed and I don’t think she would have accepted even if she had an offer. RNCM has gone from bottom to top of her list now after very positive audition. Previously her top 2 were TL and RCS.

To show how nuts it is- he’s now got 6 conservatoire offers including 5 scholarships.

Mine didn't get a place. He knows about 20-25 who are in but he says he doesn't know of any year 13s who got a place unless they were previously in. Is there an element of wanting continuity after the last couple of years? There are some choices he also finds surprising.