YOUNG NSSO 2012 APPLICATION FORM

NSSO 2012 APPLICATION FORM

To qualify for entry for NSSO you must be aged 14 -18 and still be at school (or Sixth Form College) in the summer term immediately prior to the course.  You will be studying your instrument at a high level (working towards Grade VII^* or above) and we may request a reference from your teacher.

For Young NSSO you must be aged 8 -13. It is expected that you will be studying your instrument at a level between Grade III and Grade VII and we may request a reference from your teacher.

For both orchestras, an ability to learn quickly, a passion for music and an enthusiastic attitude are all just as important as grades attained.  Musicians seeking to join NSSO or Young NSSO for the first time will be asked to attend an audition which will be organised by the NSSO Administrator and held in a convenient location.

To apply, candidates must complete the relevant Application Form and send it with a cheque for audition and deposit (see below) to the NSSO Administrator by the first of January.

Applications will be acknowledged and audition details sent out late in January/early February; auditions will be held around the country in February and March.

Late entries will be considered should places be available. Please check the website for details of late availability of places.

^*Please note that viola, harp and double bass players should be working towards Grade VI or above.

Fees

The fee for the NSSO course is £625 And Young NSSO is £595.

A cheque for £180 should be sent with the application: £30 is the audition fee and £150 a deposit for the course (this will be returned if unsuccessful at audition). For previous players, only the £150 deposit is required with the application.

An invoice for the remainder of the course fee will be sent in March.

All cheques should be made payable to NSSO and sent to the Administrator.

Bursaries

NSSO is committed to ensuring that financial circumstances should not prevent young musicians benefitting from the NSSO and Young NSSO course.  A number of means-tested bursaries are available, thanks to generous sponsorship by HSBC Bank plc and support from the Tim Bowles Fund as well as various other generous donors. In addition, for any students aged 8-14 bursaries are available through the IAPS Orchestral Trust.  Please ask the Administrator for an application form once a place has been offered on the course.