Booking will be open between 7 September and 10 October and the auditions themselves will take place in October and November. Like last year, they will be held entirely online, so the applicants can perform from their homes or schools without the costs of travel.
The Boys’ and Girls’ choir members are aged from 9-14 years and the Training Choir members from 15-18 years, which offers the opportunity to train for The National Youth Choir and National Youth Chamber Choir.
The NYCGB programme offers residential courses and concerts working with world-class musicians and coaches such as Dame Sarah Connolly, Shlomo, Robert Hollingworth, Sofi Jeannin and Gareth Malone. The choirs’ members often participate in recordings on the NYCGB’s own digital label and perform at venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Sage Gateshead and Birmingham Town Hall. The choirs regularly sing at festivals such as the BBC Proms, Snape Proms and the Three Choirs Festival, and broadcast on the BBC and Classic FM. Overseas concerts have been performed in the USA, China, Malta and Hong Kong, and the choirs often premiere new works specially commissioned for them.
Ben Parry, NYCGB’s Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, said, ‘We’re so excited to announce this year’s auditions for our world-class National Girls’, Boys’ and Training Choirs. We’re looking for the most talented singers across the length and breadth of the country to audition.
‘It’s never been more important to emphasise that we want to meet singers from all backgrounds and across all musical styles. We particularly encourage young people of Black, Asian & ethnically diverse backgrounds and those who are disabled to audition.
‘We are also determined that household income should not be a barrier to being part of NYCGB and our Financial Assistance Scheme is there to support those who need it, including the cost of an audition. We look forward to seeing you at an audition soon!’
Although the auditions cost £20, financial assistance is available to anyone who receives free school meals in line with the NYCGB’s policy of inclusion. More details of this assistance can be found on the NYCGB website.
The 2021 audition dates are as follows:
- National Youth Boys’ Choir: Monday October 25, Tuesday 26 October, Wednesday 27 October, Thursday 28 October, Friday 29 October, Monday 1 November.
- National Youth Girls’ Choir: Thursday 21 October, Sunday 24 October, Wednesday 27 October, Friday 29 October, Saturday 30 October, Sunday 31 October, Wednesday 3 November, Thursday 4 November, Friday 5 November.
