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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/BYMT 2026

748 replies

doesanybodyhaveamap · 27/10/2025 20:38

So with the big reveal of the 50th anniversary programme it feels like a good time to start the 2026 chat!

Here we go again 🥳🥳🥳

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Biscuitsneeded · 28/10/2025 19:32

Ubertomusic · 28/10/2025 18:59

Thank you all for sharing the insights!

If a child auditions both as stage performer and musician, does it have to be the same audition city? Do you think there is a chance for a classical ballet dancer or is it just for commercial/street/hip hop? DD is doing contemporary but not very advanced (she's 11), ballet is roughly Intermediate.

I think it would be up to you. Some people would prefer to do both auditions on the same day for practical and time reasons, but there's no reason why you can't book two separate auditions. And there is usually room for fabulous dancers, decent dancers who sing and act, and people just starting out in dance as long as they give it their all. As for the types of dance, all depends on the show. There was ballet in Carousel this year, and as far as I know WSS has a ballet! NYMT will be keen to meet your DD whatever her skills, so definitely give it a whirl.

Comefromaway · 28/10/2025 20:09

In the past both Carousel & Chess cast classical dancers.

Ubertomusic · 28/10/2025 20:35

Thank you @Biscuitsneeded and @Comefromaway , that's good to know! DD has only recently taken to MT, very keen but I think I need to manage expectations, especially as singing is not her forte 😁

@Comefromaway Is it possible to audition on multiple instruments?

Original poster
doesanybodyhaveamap · 28/10/2025 20:38

I have one who auditions as both - last year the format changed for musicians and there is now a half day workshop, which is lovely and great fun but not really possible to do on the same day as a performer audition. There was also a lot of confusion when we arrived as to what the plan was for my DC (who was meant to be doing both on the same day). In our case it was easily resolved as DC is a bit of an old timer now and knew the MD running the musician workshop well- so they ended up not even playing! TLDR: I think it keeps things simpler to do them on separate days if you can! Especially as a first time auditionee.

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Original poster
doesanybodyhaveamap · 28/10/2025 20:46

Ubertomusic · 28/10/2025 20:35

Thank you @Biscuitsneeded and @Comefromaway , that's good to know! DD has only recently taken to MT, very keen but I think I need to manage expectations, especially as singing is not her forte 😁

@Comefromaway Is it possible to audition on multiple instruments?

Absolutely ok to audition on multiple instruments!

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Comefromaway · 28/10/2025 20:49

I don’t know how the new format works. When my son auditioned it was self tape & you could send in a recording on up to two instruments and mention any others you play.

Original poster
doesanybodyhaveamap · 28/10/2025 21:19

Just checked - for musicians there is an option to just submit a self tape instead of doing a workshop this year…

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Ubertomusic · 28/10/2025 21:28

Thank you @doesanybodyhaveamap !

DD hates recorded auditions as cannot focus and relate to an audience so whenever it's possible we do real life auditions. Our logistics is crazy atm, that's why I was thinking about different locations. I also think it would be better to do separate auditions as I guess can be intense and tiring for younger ones, it's good to know they allow that!

Original poster
doesanybodyhaveamap · 28/10/2025 21:28

What does she play??

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Ubertomusic · 28/10/2025 21:30

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Comefromaway · 28/10/2025 21:35

I get that Uberto. Ds had plenty meltdowns about self-tapes. Applying for uni/conservatoire in 2022 when lots of stuff was still online was challenging.

Ubertomusic · 28/10/2025 21:39

Comefromaway · 28/10/2025 21:35

I get that Uberto. Ds had plenty meltdowns about self-tapes. Applying for uni/conservatoire in 2022 when lots of stuff was still online was challenging.

Yes, post covid shift to online opened more opportunities country wide which is great but for us it's a nightmare 😁🤦‍♀️

Original poster
doesanybodyhaveamap · 28/10/2025 21:44

The workshop was introduced last year to give the musicians more of an experience, like the performer auditions. They looked a lot of fun! DC was a bit gutted they didn’t get to join in playing through the Wicked score 🤣. It sounds like your DD will much prefer that to the self tape option (which is a whole other kind of stress 🤦‍♀️).

Best of luck with it!

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Operasingerkath · 28/10/2025 23:13

Comefromaway · 28/10/2025 14:21

Hi folks, ex musician parent here!

NYMT was lifechanging for my son. Both the experience itself and the connections he made. He is in his final year at conservatoire now and has just been asked to play for a national tour so on the brink of his career starting.

However (I repeat this every year for newbies). The first year he auditioned it was a no. He was disappointed but moved on and decided that maybe it wasn't for him. But he was remembered and the following year ended up doing two shows, one as Asst MD and the other as Keys player, wiht another two shows the year after too. *Two shows is only usually appliable for musicians, not stage performers).

The 2026 season looks exciting.

Congratulations to him on the tour! Amazing news

morecoffeepleeeease · 29/10/2025 10:57

@Comefromaway , @MxPickles , @doesanybodyhaveamap

thank you for all the information and explanations of how it all works - unbelievably helpful 🙏

Huge congrats to your young people on everything they've achieved!!

I'm excited to get into audition season...

Biscuitsneeded · 29/10/2025 11:15

Comefromaway · 28/10/2025 14:21

Hi folks, ex musician parent here!

NYMT was lifechanging for my son. Both the experience itself and the connections he made. He is in his final year at conservatoire now and has just been asked to play for a national tour so on the brink of his career starting.

However (I repeat this every year for newbies). The first year he auditioned it was a no. He was disappointed but moved on and decided that maybe it wasn't for him. But he was remembered and the following year ended up doing two shows, one as Asst MD and the other as Keys player, wiht another two shows the year after too. *Two shows is only usually appliable for musicians, not stage performers).

The 2026 season looks exciting.

I missed the detail about your DS getting a national tour - fab news! Congratulations to him. 😀

Comefromaway · 29/10/2025 11:26

He is only depping on the tour, not a permanent member, but it is still a massive thing for him and hopefully the first step on the ladder.

He has 6 weeks of panto first then is doing 3 shows for the tour in the new year. He will then be on standby if the main player is ill/unavailable for any reason.

He has previously worked on some well known regional shows but programming/sound type work not playing.

But thank-you for the wishes.

MxPickles · 29/10/2025 14:37

Comefromaway · 29/10/2025 11:26

He is only depping on the tour, not a permanent member, but it is still a massive thing for him and hopefully the first step on the ladder.

He has 6 weeks of panto first then is doing 3 shows for the tour in the new year. He will then be on standby if the main player is ill/unavailable for any reason.

He has previously worked on some well known regional shows but programming/sound type work not playing.

But thank-you for the wishes.

"He has 6 weeks of panto first "

Oh no he doesn't !

Sorry. I will get my coat.

Comefromaway · 29/10/2025 14:42

Hearing that phrase a lot!

seventwelve25 · 02/11/2025 10:23

Hi all, for those of you with under 18s who have already signed up for performer auditions, have you heard yet which songs they can choose from? I'm sure the email said 27th Oct, which was when the season was revealed, but we haven't been sent a list of songs and dd is very keen to get practicing! Xx

Original poster
doesanybodyhaveamap · 02/11/2025 11:06

Unless something has changed, for the first round they choose their own song.

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seventwelve25 · 02/11/2025 11:16

doesanybodyhaveamap · 02/11/2025 11:06

Unless something has changed, for the first round they choose their own song.

I think it has changed! This year our email said that under 18s would be provided with a list to choose from and over 18s could choose for themselves! My daughter already had her heart set on a Beetlejuice song, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of flexibility! I guess it could help place them for particular recalls xx

Comefromaway · 02/11/2025 12:23

I’m guessing that might be because a lot of YP were choosing wildly inappropriate songs, that maybe don’t show what they are capable of, especially those with less experience/guidance available to them.

my dh sees that a lot even at drama school auditions.

Original poster
doesanybodyhaveamap · 02/11/2025 12:43

Ahhh ok, interesting!

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seventwelve25 · 03/11/2025 12:21

Panic over! We haven't been missed off a list or anything. I received an email this morning to say it was taking a little longer than anticipated to finalise the choices, but we should hear in about a week or so. Phew! 😅