Page 24 | NYMT/BYMT 2024!

Biscuitsneeded · 2023-10-27T13:20:50+00:00

Seeing as NYMT have announced their shows, it feels like a good time to start a thread for anyone with DC planning on auditioning for 2024 for either NYMT or BYMT - as performers or musicians, or as assistant creatives. Please come and say hi and tell us a bit about your DC. There are lots of experienced parents of DC who have been part of both organisations, and these threads are always genuinely supportive and helpful. I'll invite some previous thread participants below - please come and say hi!

doesanybodyhaveamap · 27/01/2024 11:34

yodaforpresident · 27/01/2024 00:13

Thank you @Mumofamusician, she did consider that. She is at the suggested standard on cello and clarinet but I think she is a bit worried because the musicians she met last year were quite a lot older than her - she is 12. She has her BYMT audition this weekend and another one in the next couple of weeks for an opera, so I think she’s going to see how they go before making a decision.

Jumping in as mum to a DC who has been in NYMT as both musician and actor (once in the same season 😆).

DC was first in the band for hunchback at 12/13. She was one of the youngest for sure. But having worked with older teens and adults quite extensively before this it didn't bother her. They do sometimes offer musician to very accomplished younger ones, but may call for an 'honest chat' about whether you think they will cope socially. Hunchback was great as they needed a big band and were able to have a little group of younger ones. I suspect a big band will be needed for ITTW and so they might do similar there. One of my
favourite things about NYMT is that they genuinely are raising the next generation of MT professionals. So if they can take some younger musicians they will. At 16/17 DC is going into her 5th season (hopefully!!) so now has lots of
band experience despite still being on the younger side for musicians!

in short - put in a musician application!!

Alakazam8 · 27/01/2024 10:39

Break a leg to @Montimom and her gang for today. We are on way in to Manchester auditions now!!

Zanthe · 27/01/2024 09:54

Does anyone here have experience of MX Masterclass? My DD has an audition with them in a couple of weeks.

Original poster

Biscuitsneeded · 27/01/2024 06:59

@yodaforpresident The point made by @Comefromaway is a good one. DS has met musicians as young as 11 on the summer shows, and they do about a week's residential before show week and have the music well in advance I think, which is different from the musicians they assembled for the showcase concerts who didn't get designated residential rehearsals for that.

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Comefromaway · 27/01/2024 00:29

Am I correct in thinking your Dd did concert last year? My Ds has played for concert the past two years and they choose very particular musicians for that because for concert the musicians don't get the longer residential rehearsal period. And because the arrangements are bespoke they can get the music late.

There are younger musicians in the actual shows.

yodaforpresident · 27/01/2024 00:13

Thank you @Mumofamusician, she did consider that. She is at the suggested standard on cello and clarinet but I think she is a bit worried because the musicians she met last year were quite a lot older than her - she is 12. She has her BYMT audition this weekend and another one in the next couple of weeks for an opera, so I think she’s going to see how they go before making a decision.

Operasingerkath · 26/01/2024 23:33

Lovely to hear of the successes! Congratulations to them all.

We’ve been down to London today for an open day and 2 students there who were fellow cast members from Kiss Me Kate, and now friends of my DS, met up with us beforehand and had lunch with us. It was so lovely to see them and they were super helpful. My DS has only done one year with NYMT so far (hopefully more to come!) but he has found it really rewarding and has made tons of friends. We went into it with the same attitude as you, @LibbyRuncie and he was lucky enough to be cast last year. He said just the audition experience is worth doing, whether or not he is lucky enough to get in this year. I also feel lucky to have found this forum-so helpful when you don’t have a clue!

Gg5979 · 26/01/2024 23:25

Thank you @Biscuitsneeded what an amazingly helpful response! Really appreciate all your information and advice. There’s not much out there and it’s completely new to us as neither my husband or I have any musical/drama/dancing experience, but luckily DD had fun last weekend and is taking it in her stride.
@LibbyRuncie DD has also been called for Catastrophe Bay so hopefully the girls will each have a familiar face from Birmingham. 😀
Have been counting down the hours until the final traitors episode tonight, what a fantastic programme! x

LibbyRuncie · 26/01/2024 21:51

@Biscuitsneeded ps lovvve traitors! I am Cub Scout volunteer and we play a game that we think it originated from called Mafia!

LibbyRuncie · 26/01/2024 21:49

@Biscuitsneeded thank you so so much! That information is hugely valuable! Yes totally managing expectations around even getting a role at all! To get a call back from the first audition at the age of 12 is amazing and we are taking anything more than even just experiencing the b’ham auditions as awesome experience! So a have a call to casting workshop is being viewed as an amazing opportunity! Sooooo excited!

Original poster

Biscuitsneeded · 26/01/2024 20:45

@Gg5979 Welcome to the thread! Congratulations to your DD on getting a recall, and also to @LibbyRuncie 's DD! So nice to hear of new auditionees getting recalls. Basically, if your DC has been recalled for a named show or shows, they'll be given a slot during the casting weekend to attend in London. A recall session normally lasts about 2.5 hours. About a week before you'll receive an email with a link to a dropbox containing recall material. Don't panic! It often looks like a lot to digest at first glance, but usually it's not impossible to prepare. There might be a bit of a song to learn, and for that they sometimes (but not always) provide a voice track and a recorded backing track as well as sheet music. If you don't read music you might want to have a friend or teacher who does primed to help with a bit of note bashing if you can, but don't worry if you can't. There will probably be a bit of script too - no need to learn it, just be familiar with it. You might get asked to read more than one part so no point trying to learn anything - just read everything through a few times. Occasionally they put in a video of a short dance routine. Again, if dance is your forte, you can use it to brush up before the recall, but if you are not really a dancer just do your best - they are looking for you to perform it and tell the story more than anything.
In the recall itself you'll be in a group of people recalled for the same show, but a wide range of ages and sizes. The team are really friendly so tell your DD's to relax and enjoy it! There are several recall sessions for each show throughout the weekend so you can't really tell what your chances are as you haven't seen all the people recalled in action! Everyone is friendly and supportive, and nerves aside, your DDs should hopefully find it all enjoyable. Then not too long afterwards (hoping this hasn't changed) you should get news of whether you have been cast in a show.
If your recall was for the new musicals (unspecified), you are recalling to take part in a workshop of a new musical. This again is a residential thing, but without the production in a theatre at the end, although there is usually a showing of work at the end of the residential. It's also possible that you might be recalled for a show and then not be cast in that show but offered a new musical workshop instead.
In terms of managing expectations, it's important your DDs understand that the recall does not automatically guarantee a place in the cast of a show, but it does mean the team saw lots of potential, and to get a recall is a big achievement in itself. I believe the plan this year is to try to offer as many opportunities as possible to talented young people, so if you don't end up getting cast in a show you may well be offered some other projects, but I don't know too much about that. Participants in the workshop usually have a great time and bond as a company, and it's exciting to see a brand new show start to take shape and even contribute to its development, working alongside the writers.
As you can probably tell, I could go on Mastermind with NYMT as my subject. My DS has done it ever since 2016 and I can honestly say it has been the making of him and it's the BEST thing any talented young person with an itch to perform could get involved in. It really does change lives. Any questions you may still have, fire away (but don't expect an answer for an hour or so because I have to watch Traitors!😂). Well done again to both your DDs.

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LibbyRuncie · 26/01/2024 20:20

@Gg5979 also our first time and completely no clue! My girl has been called for casting workshop for catastrophe Bay! I am managing expectations though! To get this far is an amazing experience and opportunity!

Gg5979 · 26/01/2024 18:16

That’s fab, what’s the play? My daughter also was at Birmingham and got a call back 😀. We’re wet behind the ears having only found out about NYMT for the first time a few weeks ago. It all looks amazing. Does anyone know what happens next for the Feb London thing and the likelihood of success? Although she’s excited, we obviously don’t want to build it up too much, in case…

LibbyRuncie · 26/01/2024 15:45

Sorry I meant Bham!

LibbyRuncie · 26/01/2024 15:29

Manchester auditions and heard this morning that she has a casting workshop in London in Feb!!!!!

Original poster

Biscuitsneeded · 26/01/2024 12:19

Welcome @LibbyRuncie . Which one did your DD audition for? Audition results from last weekend at NYMT are coming out today I believe (some have heard this morning).

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LibbyRuncie · 26/01/2024 09:15

Hopefully I am replying on the right thread I am new to this! My daughter (12 yrs) has applied and auditioned. Hoping this wealth of experience and knowledge form everyone on here will help and support our journey!

Zanthe · 25/01/2024 23:29

Montimom · 25/01/2024 23:17

@Zanthe my gang are auditioning for NYMT!! Best of luck to your DC 👍

Thank you, And to yours! ❤️ Mine are also auditioning for NYMT in February! X

Montimom · 25/01/2024 23:17

@Zanthe my gang are auditioning for NYMT!! Best of luck to your DC 👍

Zanthe · 25/01/2024 22:49

Montimom · 25/01/2024 20:48

@Zanthe i use an app called Music Notes to download the sheet music if that’s any help to you!! My DC auditioning this weekend, excited and nervous 😊

Thank you, @Montimom - I will check out the app. My DC is also auditioning this weekend for BYMT? Is that the same as your DC’s? I am also nervous and excited! 😊

Mumofamusician · 25/01/2024 20:54

yodaforpresident · 21/01/2024 10:13

DD is not upset about it - she loves doing the shows but has no intention of pursuing performing arts as a career. She doesn’t dance, go to a stage school or even a Saturday drama school so she knows what her limitations are. She is primarily a singer and musician with a side of LAMDA and screen acting.

If DD is primarily a musician the auditions for musicians for NYMT are still open. It’s a video audition.

Montimom · 25/01/2024 20:48

@Zanthe i use an app called Music Notes to download the sheet music if that’s any help to you!! My DC auditioning this weekend, excited and nervous 😊

Zanthe · 25/01/2024 07:56

Operasingerkath · 25/01/2024 07:51

@Zanthe she should have sheet music with her as they have a pianist to play for them. You can usually find music for download if you Google it if she doesn’t usually use it. Happy to help find things if you want to PM me 😊

Ah, Ok. That’s useful to know, thank you!

Operasingerkath · 25/01/2024 07:51

@Zanthe she should have sheet music with her as they have a pianist to play for them. You can usually find music for download if you Google it if she doesn’t usually use it. Happy to help find things if you want to PM me 😊

Zanthe · 25/01/2024 07:05

Can I ask a question about the song too. Does my DD need to provide a backing track? Or can she just sing unaccompanied?