Norfolk County Youth Orchestra Courses
Join Norfolk's premier youth orchestra for young musicians aged 11–18 and get the opportunity to work with industry professionals and develop skills in preparation for a public concert.
Applications will be open shortly for NCYO'S Autumn Course from 28 -31 October 2024.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- 23-26 October 2023 (Residential); 2-5 April 2024 (Non Residential)
- Age:
- 11-18
- Art form:
- Music
- Fees:
- £500 Autumn Course (Residential); £325 Spring Course (Non Residential) or £795 annual membership
- Deadline:
- Apply by 23 February for the NCYO Spring Course
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
- Mode of study:
- In-person | Music Centres
- Venue:
- Greshams School, Holt (Autumn Course) Wymondham High School (Spring Course)
- Contact details:
- gyanorwich@gsmd.ac.uk
About Norfolk County Youth Orchestra
Guildhall Young Artists Norwich is proud to partner with the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra (NCYO). The orchestra welcomes up to 85 members from age 11 – 18 and meets to put on training courses twice a year, where young musicians get to work with industry professionals and develop skills in preparation for a public concert. Courses take place during the spring and autumn half-term, usually over a period of four to five days.
This unique experience gives members of Guildhall Young Artists Norwich an opportunity to develop their performance skills, build confidence and meet other musicians from all over Norfolk.
Founded in 1959 to provide gifted young musicians in Norfolk the opportunity to develop their skills and gain performing experience, NCYO is funded by The Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra, an independent charity which provides financial support through bursaries, to support young musicians who want to attend an NCYO course.
Applicants should have reached at least Grade 6 on their instrument, which should be demonstrated via the answers on their application form and at audition.
Please note new students will need to submit a video audition recording. This will be via video recording which should be uploaded to WeTransfer and the link sent to thomas.shelbourn@gsmd.ac.uk.This can be any piece, or section of a piece, solo or accompanied, in any musical style up to a maximum of 1 minute.
| DATE | EVENT | VENUE | ACTIVITY | TIME |
| Monday 23 – Thursday 26 October 2023 | NCYO Residential Course | Gresham's School, Cromer Rd, Holt NR25 6EA | Residential Course | 11am Arrival on 23 October, Depart at 1pm on 26 October |
| Thursday 26 October 2023 | Concert | St Peter Mancroft Church, NR2 1QZ | Afternoon Rehearsal & Concert | 2.30pm Rehearsal, 7pm Concert |
| Tuesday 2 April – Friday 5 April 2024 | NCYO Spring Day Course | Wymondham High Academy, Folly Road, Wymondham NR18 0QT | Day Course | 9.30am - 5.30pm |
| Friday 5 April 2024 | Concert |
St Peter Mancroft Church, NR2 1QZ
|
Afternoon Rehearsal & Concert | 2.30pm Rehearsal, 7pm Concert |
Course Fees
Autumn Course Membership 2023
£500 - includes 4 day residential and concert
Spring Course Membership 2024
£325 - includes 4 day non-residential and concert
Annual Membership
£795.00 - includes 4-day residential and 4-day non-residential course plus concerts.
Payment Schedule
Fees can be paid in full or in 6 monthly instalments.
Bursaries
NCYO bursary awards are means tested and open to all NCYO students who can demonstrate real financial need.
NCYO students are supported by the Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra. Bursaries are awarded on a means-tested basis, and any student living in a household with a residual income of less that £60,000* may apply.
*The residual household income is the total gross taxable income from the household, reducing that by the amount of Private Pension Plans, AVC’s, or other taxable allowances which is then further reduced by £1,130 for each child/student in the household who are financially dependent on the family.
To apply for a NCYO bursary please complete the online application form here.
Sibling Discount
Due to the generosity of the Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra (FNCYO) we are now able to offer a sibling discount of 30% per sibling.
Families who qualify for a FNCYO bursary will also receive the sibling discount where more than one child is a member of NCYO.
NCYO Residential Course Monday 23 – Thursday 26 October 2023
Conductor - Andrew Morley
Balakirev - Overture on a Spanish March Theme, op.6
Bizet - Carmen Suite 1
Faure - Pavane
De Falla - Spanish Danse from La Vida Breve
Bizet - Carmen Suite 2
Ravel - Pavane
Massenet - Selections from Le Cid Ballet Music
Tchaikovsky - Spanish dance from Swan Lake
NCYO Spring Course Tuesday 2 - Friday 5 April 2024
Conductor - Andrew Morley
Wagner - Rienzi Overture
Elgar - Serenade
Borodin - In the Steppes of Central Asia
Dvorak - Symphony No 8
The Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra is an independent charity. It was set up to foster and develop musical skills and opportunities for all Norfolk County Youth Orchestra players – especially those in greatest need of support.
It has also been the main source of financial support for the orchestra since 2019, heavily subsidising costs and supporting individual students with a bursary scheme.
Run by a group of volunteer trustees, any funds raised go directly to helping young musicians who would otherwise be unable to continue their passion and progress within music.
The Friends are vital and without them the NCYO would not be viable which is why the trust continues to seek support and donations to continue its work.
Support can come in many ways. It may be a small, personal donation or a business partnership. We are also keen to engage with organisations who are passionate about music and children’s development and who might be interested in running their own Friends fund-raising event or linking their brand with us.
You can support the work of FNCYO today by making an online donation or find out more ways that you can help to make a difference by visiting fncyo.org.uk.
Adrian James Acoustics are providing 4 scholarships of £250 each to members of NCYO.
Scholarships are awarded to applicants who demonstrate a very high level of ability on their instrument and commitment to the orchestra. A panel consisting of NCYO staff and the Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra charity will make the final decisions on awarding the scholarships.
Scholars must be members of NCYO, but the money does not necessarily have to be spent on course fees. It can be used for anything which the applicant feels will help to further their musical journey.
Applications open in December 2023 with a deadline of 2nd February 2024. A presentation will be made by representatives of Adrian James Acoustics to the 4 successful awardees of the scholarship during the NCYO Easter Concert on 5th April 2024.
