Rules and Regulations of the European Union Youth Orchestra

Auditions for participation in the European Union Youth Orchestra are held annually in each of the member countries of the European Union.

1. All applicants for the 2009/2010 orchestra must be aged between 14 and 24 inclusive on 31st December 2008 (ie their date of birth must be between 1 January 1984 and 31 December 1994).
2. All applicants must hold passports from one of the 27 European Union member countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden & UK).
3. The decision of the EUYO audition panel members in the choice of players is final.
4. All candidates have to compete every year for a place in the orchestra, even if they have previously played in the orchestra. Musicians that have been in the EUYO (or on the reserve list or Summer School) two years prior to the current are automatically eligible for the final round audition and need not have a preliminary audition.
5. Candidates may apply to audition in any EU member state providing that country is the candidate's country of birth, country of residence or country of study/work.

Disability Policy:

The European Union Youth Orchestra welcomes applications from disabled young musicans who satisfy the usual criteria for application to audition. A disabled musician who wins a place in the orchestra will not be omitted because of that disability. The orchestra will use its best endeavours to ensure that a disabled member of the orchestra can take as full a part as possible in all its activities: not just participation in performances, but in social activities also.

Rules and regulations in Greek.

Candidates will be asked to play a prepared piece of their own choosing (eg: a movement from a concerto, a sonata etc) and a selection of orchestral extracts. Percussionists will be asked to play a selection of prepared orchestral extracts only (no piece).

Auditions are held annually in each of the countries of the EU to fill approximately 130 places. Current members have to re-audition, so the competition is high. However, the EUYO also has a reserve list of about 200 players, which we rely on heavily, and those selected for the reserve list have a good chance of getting asked to play in the orchestra at some point during the year. The experience of auditioning for EUYO is, in itself, widely regarded as invaluable preparation for future auditions with professional orchestras.

Successful candidates will become members of the 2009/2010 orchestra and will be invited to take part in the Summer 2009 and Spring 2010 tours where they will have the opportunity to work with expert instrumental professors and to perform in the great concert halls of the world with renowned conductors and soloists. Courses normaly begin with a 2-week rehearsal period, when musicians work in tutti rehearsals and in sectionals with the EUYO tutors, followed by a concert tour of up to 10 concerts. In addition to the preparation of repertoire for the forthcoming tour, the rehearsal period offers opportunities for chamber music, sport and other recreational and social activities to enable musicians to make the most of working in a multi-national environment.

Members of the EUYO do not receive a fee but tuition, travel (including to and from the tour) food and accommodation are provided free of charge.

Tips for auditions

The key to a successful audition is thorough preparation of orchestral excerpts. Make time for your extracts and listen to the piece if it is unfamiliar to you and/or take a look at the score. It is important that you play the extracts accurately but also with sensitivity to the context of the whole piece, paying particular attention to accurate rhythm, tempi, dynamics and tuning.

How to apply for membership of the European Union Youth Orchestra

Click here for information on auditions in the UK and Ireland

Click here for details of auditions throughout the European Union.

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