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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

NYMT

514 replies

aplo · 11/01/2016 15:59

Hi, have just joined here so hope I am posting in the correct place. Just wondering if anyone here has a child auditioning for NYMT or similar groups this year.
My DD (age 11 ) is auditioning next sunday

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EvilTwins · 01/02/2017 22:48

Interesting re Scotland. Is there a Scottish equivalent? There is for National Youth Choir despite the fact that it's National Youth Choir of Great Britain - there's also one of Scotland.

On a separate note, does anyone know when NYMT first round auditions finish?

Biscuitsneeded · 01/02/2017 23:03

Yep, they finish on 12th Feb in London, with recalls the following weekend! I bet the creative team just collapse in a heap after they've cast everything - they don't get a weekend for two whole months!

Original poster
aplo · 01/02/2017 23:57

That's interesting re Scotland, there was a Scottish guy in spring but he was living in London last year.
We have nothing like this in Ireland, particularly were we are in the very south. It was actually easier for us to get to London than it was to get to Belfast last year.
Most of the Flights have been under €20 single so cheaper than the train lots of the time and we are about 7mins drive from the airport here.
The Irish element is new enough to NYMT I think, one girl from here was the lead in the dreaming in 2013 the following year a boy was in the hired man and he also did west side story and is now working with them as pastoral and assistant choreographer so they led the way nicely and have all done well.
The girl who was in the dreaming has just been cast as Katherine Jenkins understudy in ENO's carousel in April so she is an inspiration to all!!

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Original poster
aplo · 01/02/2017 23:59

YMT are actually coming to Dublin (and Belfast and Derry) this year but Dublin is the same weekend as NYMT recalls so maybe NYMT might think about coming next year, or even better still to come further south!

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Biscuitsneeded · 03/02/2017 19:19

Should also point out that NYMT don't go to Wales, although I guess wherever you live in Wales it would b possible to get to Birmingham or Bristol (or Manchester). I bet it comes down to where they have 'friends' who can offer facilities to host an audition day. Leicester Curve is an obvious one, but the other schools/theatres must also have a personal link with NYMT. So maybe venues themselves in other parts of the British Isles (and Ireland) need to make the first move and offer their space to give their local young people chances.
To be honest, DS owes his wonderful time last year to the fact that they have an audition in our city. I wouldn't have travelled further afield with him to audition - not because it isn't worth it, but because I didn't know enough about the organisation, and/or have enough faith that he would be the kind of young person they were looking for. The fact that it was on our doorstep made us think it was worth a go. I wonder if they analyse where their cast members come from and review where to go on that basis? Slightly off-topic, I know, but it's interesting!

EvilTwins · 03/02/2017 19:39

They don't necessarily have a personal link for venues - NYMT emails out to schools asking if anyone wants to host them. There was one in Stroud (nearish to me) a couple of years ago. I've had the emails but I doubt anyone would want to get a train then bus (or drive) to our school - it's kind of in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps I should give it a whirl! Not sure it would be an advantage or not. The year they auditioned in Stroud, my students were already booked into the Bristol audition.

Biscuitsneeded · 03/02/2017 20:17

Wow EvilTwins that's really interesting. So basically it just needs educational institutions to be willing to host. There you go Aplo, a mission for you!!

Original poster
aplo · 03/02/2017 20:45

We actually offered them a place here this year but they wouldnt go outside the UK (I can understand why when the name is NYMTuk) they had a good turn out in Belfast last year but only got one person through the whole process in the end, some that they recalled didn't bother flying to the recalls.
To be honest if they came here I could see the same thing happening whereas those who have to make a commitment to travel will be committed the whole way.
It will be interesting to see if YMT find the same when they audition in Dublin. The fact that they only have one round might make it easier.

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Biscuitsneeded · 03/02/2017 21:11

There was a young person from Belfast in Battle of Boat - I take it that's the one they found? I can see the problem that people may still be unwilling to pay for flights etc when nothing's guaranteed, and take your point that those who really want it will cross the ocean anyway. Hmmmm, a seemingly insoluble problem!

Pinkstargazer12 · 04/02/2017 10:31

Hi there. Hope you don't mind me crashing this thread! My daughter auditioned last week in Manchester and has been recalled for Little Princess and Honk.

Does anybody know how long the recalls last and what time the day starts and finishes. I'm looking to book trains. Obviously don't know her time slot yet but need to book the train. Any advice?

Thanks for your help!

Biscuitsneeded · 04/02/2017 10:53

Welcome Pinkstargazer, and congratulations to your daughter!
The recall duration usually depends on how many shows they are recalled for. I imagine your daughter will be there for a few hours. I think DS started at 10.30 in the morning last year, recalled for 2 shows, and he came out around 3pm, but another lot went in at that point. If you email Jeremy he may be able to tell you the earliest she'd be needed and the latest she'd be likely to finish - he's very, very nice. Have you been told which day she's going?

Pinkstargazer12 · 04/02/2017 20:53

Thank you for your reply. I have asked for the Saturday as the trains are proving problematic for the Sunday. Jeremy has said this is fine.

I think I'll just wait as I don't want us both to wait around for hours. Hopefully we will hear soon!!

Biscuitsneeded · 04/02/2017 21:16

It's very near Tate Britain. I had a lovely few hours in there last year! But appreciate you would probably like to be able to reserve a specific train - I suspect you'll hear towards the end of next week. But I wouldn't have thought it would run much later than 6pm if that helps.

Biscuitsneeded · 05/02/2017 20:19

Well DS seems happy with his audition today. He was mostly just tired when he came out but has perked up now he's eaten, and is singing Memory (which wasn't his song) at the top of his voice so I think I can safely say he enjoyed his day. I hope the next few days go quickly so he can find out whether or not he has a recall... Has anyone got a fixed recall date yet?

Original poster
aplo · 05/02/2017 21:53

That sounds great Biscuits, singing is always a good sign in this house. No fixed date for the recalls yet here and none of the Irish gang have either.
My seven year old got an email today to say he has been cast in his drama school show at Easter (I don't have the heart to tell him that I think all kids his age were cast) he feels like he has a lead in a west end show at the moment!
Hopefully they will be quick getting back to you this week and the news will be good!!!
Some of Dds friends from the gala auditioned this weekend too so she is hoping she gets to see them in a few weeks.

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Biscuitsneeded · 05/02/2017 22:02

Thanks Aplo - will update when we have news!

Pinkstargazer12 · 06/02/2017 15:36

Thank you Biscuits. Think I will wait and see. The Tate sounds like a lovely option to while away a few hours.

Best of luck to your son!

Biscuitsneeded · 08/02/2017 22:13

DS got recalled for Honk, Imaginary and A little Princess. Phew! That was an anxious wait.

Original poster
aplo · 08/02/2017 23:10

Absolutely delighted to hear that! Congratulations to him(and you!!!)

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Pinkstargazer12 · 09/02/2017 09:08

Great news for you and your son! I emailed Jeremy yesterday to ask when the schedule will be out and he replied to say it will be this week.

janinlondon · 09/02/2017 11:19

Such talented children on this thread!!

Pinkstargazer12 · 10/02/2017 12:24

Hi again. My daughter has just received the recall info for Honk but there is nothing for the Little Princess (the initial email stated she had been recalled for this) I've emailed but as yet no reply. I have also tried to call. Did your children receive any prep for this? She has a singing lesson tonight and this maybe the only opportunity to go through with a pianist. Ahhhhh!!!

Biscuitsneeded · 10/02/2017 12:49

Haven't received anything yet here but will let you know when we do. I imagine there just isn't anything to prepare. Everyone we know who's been recalled has been recalled for A Little Princess, and it's a workshop as opposed to a full-blown production, so I wonder if their plan is to cast everything else first and then see who else they really liked but hasn't been allotted a role? (Not meaning to suggest it will be a 'second'best' option, but NYMT are REALLY good at casting and will want to get the very best fits for the roles in the 4 main productions that will be seen by the public, so to me it would then make sense that they would then offer workshop places to the people they really liked but weren't able to cast elsewhere.) I'm sure you'll hear back, don't worry. What's the Honk stuff like? Sheet music or audio tracks?

Pinkstargazer12 · 10/02/2017 13:07

Thanks Biscuits, I think you are probably correct. If you do get anything let me know.

Honk is sheet music - 2 songs to learn and a bit of the script. Not too much.

Original poster
aplo · 10/02/2017 13:15

We have nothing here yet either. Biscuits we were thinking the same about a little princess too, as it is a workshop they might not have as clear an idea of what they are looking for there so everyone who is good enough for a recall has been recalled for it possibly- all of Dds friends from the Gala who have had recallls are all recalled for princess too!
Will let you know when we get material!

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