Are you:
- an orchestral musician of at least grade 6 standard?
- a passionate and committed orchestral player who loves a challenge?
- aged under nineteen on Monday 1 September 2008?
then this could be an exciting opportunity for you! For full details, click on the links below or simply scroll down the page.
What is the Hallé Youth Orchestra?
Benefits of Membership
How much does it cost?
Full Membership
Associate Membership
When and where are rehearsals?
Auditions
How do I apply?
Download an application form
What is the Hallé Youth Orchestra?
The Hallé Youth Orchestra is a symphony orchestra, which was founded in 2002, and is directed by the Hallé's Assistant Conductor. It is aimed at talented young musicians across the North West who do not benefit from the musical opportunities provided by full-time specialist music education. Repertoire is the kind performed by professional orchestras and is chosen for the challenge that studying it represents. The past season has seen the Youth Orchestra perform Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition at The Bridgewater Hall and Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story at the RNCM. In April 2007 the Youth Orchestra shared The Bridgewater Hall stage with the Hallé for a momentous performance of Holst's Planets Suite.
Under the direction of Music Director Rory Macdonald, members work regularly with Hallé players and have worked with other artists of international standing including Mark Elder, Heinrich Schiff, Cristian Mandeal and Emma Bell as well as former Hallé Youth Orchestra Music Directors, Edward Gardner and André de Ridder.
'The Hallé Youth Orchestra ... performed with a genuine flair and musicality that was allied to ensemble discipline and scrupulous control of phrasing and dynamics.'
Times Education Supplement Scotland
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Benefits of Membership include:
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How much does it cost?
Membership of the Hallé Youth Orchestra is free, however members are expected to contribute towards the cost of residential courses and tours where appropriate. Bursaries are available for those who need them to help cover costs of residential courses, tours and travel to rehearsals and concerts.
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Full Membership
Full Membership is for outstanding young musicians of Associated Board grade 8 standard or equivalent. Full Members will take part in rehearsals and concerts during term-time and in other training activities including residential courses and tours.
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Associate Membership
Associate Membership is for promising young musicians of Associated Board grade 6 standard or equivalent. Associate Members will have the opportunity to participate in some of the Hallé Youth Orchestra's activities.
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When and where are rehearsals?
If you are offered a place in the Youth Orchestra you will be expected to commit to rehearsals on Sunday afternoons during term-time in Manchester and a residential course and/or tour during the summer holidays. There are no Youth Orchestra activities during the study leave periods of May and June.
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Auditions
Those selected will be asked to attend an audition during the summer term. The auditions are informal and limited to ten minutes. Applicants will be asked to prepare a short piece of their own choice, a set work and a brief sight-reading test. We will provide an accompanist.
Preference will be given to those not already in full-time specialist musical education.
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How do I apply?
We are not currently accepting applications, however, if you would like to register your interest, please contact Anna Stuart, the Youth Orchestra Assistant at hyo@halle.co.uk or telephone 44 (0) 7974 547 291.
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