Auditions open for NCO 2018!

Aged 7-13 with a passion for playing? Apply today!

​We are thrilled to announce that we are officially open for applications to audition for NCO 2018. We are looking for young musicians from the UK with sparks of talent and bags of energy to join our exciting six age-banded orchestras and six Regional Orchestras.

​The ability to play not pay is the only criterion for membership and full financial support is available. Click here to find out about the financial assistance we can provide.

Auditions will be taking place throughout October and early November this year. We're auditioning all around the country, so just decide which venues will work best for you when booking an audition and we will try our best to accommodate you.

As an NCO member you’ll have the chance to take part in fun residential courses, where you’ll be guided by a conductor and professional musicians who will help you to develop musically. Each course culminates with an orchestral concert – the 3 senior orchestras perform at major venues such as the Barbican and Bridgewater Hall, whilst the 3 junior orchestras will perform a brilliant in-house concert for family and friends.

If you are re-applying for membership, you should be aware of some changes that have been made to the audition process. One update which we'd like to draw your attention to is that the age at which you are eligible to apply has now been brought in line with the September to August academic calendar. The criteria for eligibility will now be your age on 1 September 2017:

• ​Aged 13 on 1 Sept 2017: Main Orchestra
• Aged 12 on 1 Sept 2017: Under 13 Orchestra
• Aged 11 on 1 Sept 2017: Under 12 Orchestra
• Aged 10 on 1 Sept 2017: Under 11 Orchestra
• Aged 9 on 1 Sept 2017: Under 10 Orchestra
• Aged 7-8 on 1 Sept 2017: Training Orchestra

2018 will mark the 40th Anniversary of NCO. To celebrate this special year, we have plenty of exciting projects in the pipeline and we cannot wait to share them with you. In the meantime, we look forward to receiving your application. Click below for all you need to know about NCO auditions and how to apply!

Begin your NCO journey