Saturday, July 31, 2010

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Join NYJO


No fees, no auditions.

That’s right – we won’t ask you to stand up and prove yourself in a terrifying ten minute audition!

Instead, entry to the band is the result of commitment and hard work. For full details, read our Joining FAQ, but here’s a brief summary of how the NYJO non-audition process works:

  • Check you fit the criteria: NYJO 1 & NYJO 2 members are 25 or under.
  • Make sure the instrument you play is one of the NYJO set. Click here for a list.
  • Come along to a rehearsal – these are usually held on Saturdays in London, NW8.
  • If you enjoy it, and you think you’re a potential NYJO player, keep coming regularly.
  • To begin with, you’ll be playing as part of NYJO 2, with the opportunity to get some gigging experience too.
  • When one of the 24 chairs in the NYJO 1 band becomes available, we always look to reward hard work and commitment.

How do I know if I’m good enough?

We understand that, whether or not you live nearby, coming along to a rehearsal for the first time feels like a big deal. We welcome players of all sorts of abilities – NYJO is a great place to learn. Even our very talented players improve fast with other talent around them and the help of our Musical Directors.

However, if you want to get an idea of whether your current level of skill is a good fit for NYJO, or perhaps some suggestions about areas you might want to work on to build your confidence before you start coming along, here’s a good way to do it:

  • Video yourself playing something you really enjoy.
  • Have a few goes and then upload your best take to YouTube.
  • The piece only has to be a couple of minutes long, and we’re not too worried about picture or sound quality – we’re listening for tone and timing and feel for the music.
  • Email join@nyjo.org.uk with a link to your clip (or clips).
  • The Musical Directors will take a look and get back to you with advice and encouragement. (We try to respond within a week, or a fortnight at most).

For more information about joining NYJO, as well as a printable application form, read our Joining FAQ.