National Youth Choirs of Great Britain

Joining NYCGB

If you are in school Years 6-13* (Year 5 for boy trebles), then you are eligible to audition for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.

NB:  the NYCGB Boys’ Choir is for trebles and there is a group for boys with changing voices. Many will go on to audition for a place in one of the Training Choirs. Boys undergoing voice change at the time of audition will be considered for both the Boys' and the Training Choirs. If you are at all confused about which choir is best for you - don't worry! Simply come to an audition and we will place you in the choir that is best suited to you.

How to apply

Audition dates and venues for our next round of auditions, which will be held in autumn 2012, will be posted here in early September so watch this space...  

Auditions are allocated on a first come, first served basis so don't delay!

To apply you will need to download and complete the application form (see bottom of page). It should be returned to Choir Administrator at NYCGB Head Office, Pelaw House, University of Durham, Leazes Road, Durham, DH1 1TA together with the audition fee of £35. (Please ensure that the form has been fully completed, including passport photo and two venue choices before it is posted.)

Please note that we must receive your application form at least two weeks before your preferred audition date. Auditions are offered to all candidates on a first-come-first-served basis, so please apply as early as possible. Also please make sure you include a reference from a singing or music teacher.

NYCGB bursary funds are available to help you meet audition costs, and if offered a place in a choir, to meet course costs too. Please indicate in the box on the application form if you require more information on this.

Am I elegible?

If you are in school Years 6-13* (Year 5 for boy trebles), then you are eligible to audition for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.

How advanced should my singing be?

Competition for places is great but we are looking for singers with vocal and musical potential, rather than just considering experience and achievements. Further details, including more specific criteria, are outlined on the Audition Guidelines page.

What will I have to do in my audition?

Auditions are held at various centres around the UK. There is time for you to warm up your voice and to rehearse with the official accompanist before you audition. Each audition lasts up to 10 minutes.

Applicants are required to prepare two pieces from memory, one of which should be an unaccompanied traditional song. For applicants in school Years 5-8*, the unaccompanied song must be one of the set pieces (see the Audition Guidelines page).  Applicants in schools Years 9* and above may select their own unaccompanied song, but may also choose one from the set list if they wish.  For all candidates, the second song is a free choice and you will be asked to sing around a minute of it in the audition (your accompanist will help you select a suitable section when you rehearse with them beforehand). 

Applicants will also be given exercises to test their vocal potential and musicianship, including both aural and sightreading ability. Further details of these tests, including examples, are given on the Audition Guidelines page. We ask all candidates to adequately prepare for their musicianship tests, with as much consideration given to these as to their prepared performances.

When will I receive the results of the audition?

Audition results are made available before Christmas, and successful applicants are then invited to our Spring and Summer residential choral courses. It is possible to obtain a brief audition report on request.

If I’m successful, in which choir will I be offered a place?

NYCGB is made up of several different ensembles. The age range of the Boys’ Choir (which incorporates both a treble choir and an ensemble for boys with changing voices called Cambiata Voices) is Y5-10* and the Girls’ Choir is Y6-10*.  The Training Choirs (mixed boys and girls) are for singers in Y9-13* and the National Youth Choir is open to singers in Y11 upwards.

The choir in which successful candidates are offered a place will depend on their age and ability. A Y9* singer, for example, may be initially allocated to the Girls’ or Boys’ choir if it is thought that they would benefit from further vocal or musical training at this level, but an outstanding Y9* candidate may be offered a place in the Training Choir.

Boys may audition for NYCGB even if they are undergoing the process of voice change. They will usually be offered a place in the Cambiata Voices section of the Boys’ Choir.  Rather than being allocated a specific voice part at audition, they will be given a vocal assessment at the start of the course, to allow for any further vocal development in the intervening period. 

What happens next if I am accepted?

Each academic year there are two residential courses, both are held within state school holidays; one at Easter and the other in the summer. The courses vary in length from choir to choir and cost around £420 to £560 each; this fee includes all residential costs. A generous bursary scheme is available and an application form is sent to all new members. Further forms can be downloaded from the Members' Section of this site. Each member must attend at least one course within the academic year. Failure to do so will result in the member being asked to re-audition, to monitor vocal and musical progress.

There is a one-off membership fee of £85 for the National Youth Choir and the Training Choirs. For the Girls’ and Boys’ Choirs there is an initial fee of £50 with an additional £35 fee on progression into the Training Choir. This covers all administration costs during your stay in the choirs and also entitles you to a free T-Shirt, and concert folder. Girls joining the National Youth Choir will need to purchase a uniform, which will cost £45. Members of the other choirs may also need to purchase certain items through the NYCGB office, and we will inform you of these if you are offered a place.

*References to school years are for England and Wales. The following table shows the equivalents for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

England/Wales	Y5	Y6	Y7	Y8	Y9	Y10	Y11	Y12	Y13
Scotland	P5	P6	P7	S1	S2	S3	S4	S5	S6
Northern Ireland	P6	P7	Y8	Y9	Y10	Y11	Y12	Y13	Y14