How to join an orchestra
In the first instance contact the relevant orchestra administrator (see under Contact details) for an introductory chat. Entry to the orchestras is by audition but in general members of the training orchestra are grades 3+ for Wind and Brass, 2+ for Strings; the intermediate is grades 5+ for Wind and Brass and 4+ for Strings; and the youth orchestra above grade 7 for Wind and Brass and above 6 for Strings. Auditions for the 2007-8 session will be held shortly - download the flier here.
The NYO is an independent Orchestra and a Registered Charity which depends on subscriptions and voluntary donations for its activities. We receive no local authority or state funding. As far as our funds allow we will offer financial support to young musicians who would otherwise be unable to enjoy the facilities that we offer. For this we rely on individuals and corporate bodies to support us. Would you consider offering support to a promising young musician? Alternatively you can be a sponsor for the Orchestra.
Orchestra members are able to obtain discounts at various music shops in and around Nottingham - see the Sponsors page for details
Bursary application
The orchestra wishes to ensure that any musician of the required standard has the opportunity of joining in. Financial support by means of a bursary is available to help those who are unable to afford all or part of the membership fees. The award of a bursary is means tested to ensure an equitable distribution of monies available. Information provided by parents is kept on a totally confidential basis and is made available to only the Honorary Treasurer and the Chairman who make up the bursary awards committee. If you are interested please complete a downloaded application form and return it to the Honorary Treasurer either by e-mail or by post. The decision of the bursary awards committee will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into. If you wish to apply, please do so as early in the orchestral year as possible.
We also recognise that the cost of residential courses and the main orchestral tour can also be a financial strain. If help in respect of any of these is required, please, in the first instance, make reference to the administrator of the orchestra concerned who will liaise with the Honorary Treasurer.
How can I help?
A small voluntary committee, elected at the annual meeting each year, is responsible for organising the orchestras and all the rehearsals, concerts and tours etc. It's a massive job and we depend on the support and help of parents to make everything run smoothly. Here are some examples of the jobs that need parental support:
- Helping out on residential weekends
- Assisting on concert days - selling tickets or programmes, supervising younger children
- Sorting music parts after concerts
- Helping to load and unload percussion at the Albert Hall and the High School before, but particularly after, concerts
- Being the contact person for advance tickets sales for a concert
- Being available to "cover" at rehearsals on a Thursday evening when the regular committee member is unable to be there
- Finding advertisers for our concert programmes (and overseeing billing and payments)
- Distributing concert publicity in your area and placing ads in local (free?) newspapers
- Organising fundraising events
- Helping at busking sessions
- Running a tuckshop on Thursday evenings
- Finding possible sponsors
- Setting up a database of former members of NYO with a view to inviting them all to become regular patrons ( a good potential source of funds now that we probably have around 2000 ex-members)
If you think you could spare some time during the year to do one or more of these tasks, please contact Marian Goodall (0115 925 8289 or email). We will be very, very grateful!