The Selection Process:
EUYO works very closely with its local audition organisers in all 27 EU countries. They are responsible for the delivery of the EUYO auditions in their country and we appreciate this collaboration very much.
First round:
In several countries where candidate numbers are high or for other administrative reasons there are two rounds of auditions. As 2022 is still a complicated year with the Covid-19 pandemic, some countries will hold live auditions and some countries will hold online auditions. The panel of the first round of auditions is provided by either the local organiser or EUYO. If the local organiser has provided the panel this will consist of one, two or several jurors. If this is provided by EUYO it will be EUYO’s instrumental faculty, and each video will be judged by a specialist in your own instrument.
There is one application form for all EU countries to use. You must select the country you would like do your audition in as your Audition/Application Country. If the first round is an online audition you will need to include a Youtube link in your application (which you should upload to YouTube, either as an unlisted or public video – do not choose the “private” setting). Successful candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the first round, generally 3 weeks after the application deadline, that they will be invited to the final round. Please note that it can take a few weeks until results of the first round will be sent out, due to the high number of candidates.
Final (second) round:
As 2022 is still a complicated year with the Covid-19 pandemic, some countries will hold live auditions and some countries will hold online auditions for the final round (second round).
For both live and online final round auditions, you will be heard by ONE experienced EUYO panel member. However, to ensure a fair judgement all auditions will be recorded on video so that they can be judged by a panel specific to your instrument and compared with all other audition candidates across Europe.
Our audition process is designed to ensure fairness across different instruments and countries. This is our highest priority. Your audition is only the first stage of our judging process, as it is followed by an extensive moderation process to guarantee fairness. If your final round audition is online, your final-round panellist will watch your video and then spend approximately 8 minutes with you in which you may be asked to play further excerpts (not necessarily the ones you submitted on the video).
Apply
Please read the specific details of the country where you wish to audition. There are different deadlines for each country.
Candidates will be asked to play a prepared piece of their own choosing (e.g. a movement from a concerto, sonata etc.) and a selection of Orchestral Extracts.
Percussionists will be asked to play a selection of prepared orchestral excerpts only (no solo piece).
Pianists will be asked to play all the mandatory excerpts and an own-choice solo piece. The own choice piece can be longer than 4 min. (i.e. a movement of a Concerto or Sonata, etc.), but you should only play about 4 minutes of it. Pianists also have their own separate video-submission deadline of 6 November for all countries. Please provide a YouTube link in the Piano Audition Video Link field on the application form.
Pianists can apply using the piano application form HERE.
NOTE: If you think there might have been an error while submitting your form, you can resubmit the form again.
Austria
2 rounds
The first-round auditions in Austria have already taken place.
The final-round auditions will be held on 8 and 9 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time by our Austrian National Partner, Wiener Jeunesse Orchester (WJO).
Belgium
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Belgium auditions is 18 September.
The auditions will be held on Thursday 20 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Belgium has passed.
Bulgaria
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Bulgaria auditions is 30 October.
The auditions will be held on Wednesday 9 November. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time shortly after the deadline.
The deadline to apply in Bulgaria has passed.
Croatia
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Croatia auditions is 18 September.
The auditions will be held on Sunday 9 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Croatia has passed.
Cyprus
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Cyprus auditions is 9 October.
The auditions will be held on Monday 7 November. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of October.
The deadline to apply in Cyprus has passed.
Czech Republic
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Czech Republic auditions is 9 October.
The auditions will be held on Friday 11 November. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of October.
The deadline to apply in the Czech Republic has passed.
Denmark
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Denmark auditions is 25 September.
The auditions will be held on Saturday 15 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Denmark has passed.
Estonia
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Estonia auditions is 27 September.
The auditions will be held on Tuesday 11 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time at the beginning of October.
The deadline to apply in Estonia has passed.
Finland
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Finland auditions is 25 September.
The auditions will be held on Wednesday 12 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Finland has passed.
France
2 rounds
The first-round auditions in France have already taken place.
Final-round audition dates to be posted here soon.
These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
Germany
2 rounds
The deadline to apply for the Germany auditions is 25 September.
The auditions will be held on Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Germany has passed.
Greece
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Greece auditions is 9 October.
The auditions will be held on Sunday 6 November. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of October.
The deadline to apply in Greece has passed.
Hungary
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Hungary auditions is 23 October.
The auditions will be held on Saturday 12 November. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time by our Hungarian National Partner, Kreatív Európa Nonprofit Kft.
Please apply HERE
Ireland
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Ireland auditions is 9 October.
The auditions will be held on Wednesday 9 November. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of October.
The deadline to apply in Ireland has passed.
Italy
2 rounds
The deadline to apply for the Italy auditions is 30 September.
You must submit a video audition and there will be two rounds. The first-round video will be judged by one, two or several jurors provided by the local Italian organiser.
To apply you must submit a video with up to 4 minutes of an own choice piece plus the two mandatory excerpts. This must be filmed in one take and uploaded to YouTube as an unlisted or public video.
The own choice piece can be longer than 4 min. (i.e. a movement of a Concerto or Sonata, etc.), but you should only play about 4 minutes of it.
If you have been a member or on the reserve list the last two years you MUST also submit a video in your application as the final round will be online. You will pass directly to the final round audition but you MUST include a video in your application.
Your first-round video will be viewed and judged again during the second round.
Results from the first-round audition will be sent out in the second half of October.
The final-round online auditions will be held on Monday 14 November, Tuesday 15 November and Wednesday 16 November. If required they will also be held on Saturday 19 November and Sunday 20 November.
The deadline to apply in Italy has passed.
Latvia
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Latvia auditions is 25 September.
The auditions will be held on Sunday 9 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Latvia has passed.
Lithuania
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Lithuania auditions is 25 September.
The auditions will be held on Saturday 8 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Lithuania has passed.
Luxembourg
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Luxembourg auditions is 30 September.
The auditions will be held on Friday 21 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the first part of October.
The deadline to apply in Luxembourg has passed.
Malta
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Malta auditions is 9 October.
The auditions will be held on Saturday 5 November. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of October.
The deadline to apply in Malta has passed.
Netherlands
2 rounds
2nd round auditions: 25, 26 and 27 November
The deadline to apply for the Netherlands auditions is 15 October.
There will be a first round and final round audition and these auditions will be live.
You must apply directly with our National Associate Partner, Nationaal Jeugd Orkest, here:
The deadline to apply in the Netherlands has passed.
Poland
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Poland auditions is 18 October.
The auditions will be held on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of October.
The deadline to apply in Poland has passed.
Portugal
2 rounds
The deadline to apply for the Portugal auditions is 30 September.
There will be a first round and final round audition and these auditions will be live.
1st round Lisbon: 22 and 23 October
1st round Porto: 28 to 30 October
The second-round auditions will be held on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November.
You must apply directly with our National Associate Partner, Direção-Geral das Artes (DGArtes)
The deadline to apply in Portugal has passed.
Romania
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Romania auditions is 9 October.
The auditions will be held on Friday 11 November. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of October.
The deadline to apply in Romania has passed.
Slovakia
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Slovakia auditions is 25 September.
The auditions will be held on Monday 10 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Slovakia has passed.
Slovenia
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Slovenia auditions is 25 September.
The auditions will be held on 24 October.
These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Slovenia has passed.
Spain
2 rounds
The deadline to apply for the Spain auditions is 18 September.
There will be two rounds to the audition – a first round video audition and a final round live audition.
To apply you must submit a video with up to 4 minutes of an own choice piece plus the two mandatory excerpts. This must be filmed in one take and uploaded to YouTube as an unlisted or public video.
The own choice piece can be longer than 4 min. (i.e. a movement of a Concerto or Sonata, etc.), but you should only play about 4 minutes of it.
If you have been a member or on the reserve list the last two years you DO NOT need to submit a video in your application as the final round will be live.
The first-round video will be judged by EUYO’s instrumental faculty.
Results from the first-round audition will be sent out in the first half of October.
The final-round live auditions will be held on 26, 27 and 28 October.
The deadline to apply in Spain has passed.
Sweden
1 round
The deadline to apply for the Sweden auditions is 25 September.
The auditions will be held on Sunday 16 October. These auditions will be live. You will be contacted with your audition time in the second half of September.
The deadline to apply in Sweden has passed.
FAQ
How does the selection process work?
Our local National Partners will organise the Auditions in each of the 27 EU countries. In several countries where candidate numbers are high or for other administrative reasons there are two rounds of auditions. As 2022 is still a complicated year with the Covid-19 pandemic, some countries will hold live auditions and some countries will hold online auditions. The panel of the first round of auditions is provided by either the local organiser or EUYO. If the local organiser has provided the panel this will consist of one, two or several jurors. If this is provided by EUYO it will be EUYO’s instrumental faculty, and each video will be judged by a specialist in your own instrument.
Successful candidates will be invited to the final (second) round. At the final round of auditions you will be heard by ONE experienced EUYO panel member. This second round will either be a live audition or an online audition depending on your national country. However, to ensure a fair judgement all auditions will be recorded on video so that they can be judged by a panel specific to your instrument and compared with all other audition candidates across Europe. Your audition will be approximately 8 minutes long in which you will play your solo piece and the excerpts. If your final round audition is online, your final-round panellist will watch your video and then spend approximately 8 minutes with you in which you may be asked to play further excerpts (not necessarily the ones you submitted on the video).
You can find further information on the process on the Rules and Regulations page.
First round:
In several countries where candidate numbers are high or for other administrative reasons there are two rounds of auditions. As 2022 is still a complicated year with the Covid-19 pandemic, some countries will hold live auditions and some countries will hold online auditions. The panel of the first round of auditions is provided by either the local organiser or EUYO. If the local organiser has provided the panel this will consist of one, two or several jurors. If this is provided by EUYO it will be EUYO’s instrumental faculty, and each video will be judged by a specialist in your own instrument.
There is one application form for all EU countries to use. If the first round is an online audition you will need to include a Youtube link in your application (which you should upload to YouTube, either as an unlisted or public video – do not choose the “private” setting). Successful candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the first round, generally 3 weeks after the application deadline, that they will be invited to the final round. Please note that it can take a few weeks until results of the first round will be sent out, due to the high number of candidates.
Final (second) round:
At the final round of auditions you will be heard by ONE experienced EUYO panel member. This second round will either be a live audition or an online audition depending on your national country. However, to ensure a fair judgement all auditions will be recorded on video so that they can be judged by a panel specific to your instrument and compared with all other audition candidates across Europe. Your audition will be approximately 8 minutes long in which you will play your solo piece and the excerpts. If your final round audition is online, your final-round panellist will watch your video and then spend approximately 8 minutes with you in which you may be asked to play further excerpts (not necessarily the ones you submitted on the video).
Our tried and tested audition process is designed to ensure fairness across different instruments and countries. This is our highest priority. Your audition is only the first stage of our judging process, as it is followed by an extensive moderation process to guarantee fairness.
How do I apply for an audition?
Just follow the simple instructions on this page. Please read the information from your country to know when the deadline is to apply. The deadline for each country is different.
Who can apply for EUYO auditions?
What is the age limit for applying to EUYO?
You must be between 16 and 26 years of age on the 31 December of the year in which the audition takes place.
With what instrument can I apply?
For the 2023 orchestra, we are auditioning for Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Percussion, Harp and Keyboard.
I am from the UK. Am I still able to apply for and play in the EUYO?
Since the Transition Period following the UK’s Exit from the EU finished on 31 December 2020, UK musicians are unfortunately no longer eligible to apply to the EUYO.
I am from a European country that is not a member of the EU. Can I apply?
Unfortunately, we can only accept applicants from the 27 EU Member States.
I am not from a European Country. Can I apply?
As above, unfortunately we can only accept applicants from the 27 EU Member States.
I am already working for a professional orchestra. Am I still able to audition for the EUYO?
Absolutely. Many of our members play with professional orchestras and ensembles.
I do not attend a Music College/Academy or study for a degree in music. Can I still audition?
Yes, we accept applications from musicians, even if music is not your chosen academic path.
Can I audition on more than one instrument?
Yes, you can apply for more than one audition, for multiple instruments. Just let us know in your application form.
I was a reserve list or highly commended player in 2021 or 2022 but was not invited to any project. Am I eligible to advance to the final (second) round, as in previous years?
Yes - Musicians who have been a member or were on the highly commended or reserve list in either or both of the two years prior to the current auditions are automatically eligible for the final round audition and do not need to attend a first-round audition. All candidates must still submit an application form before the closing date and submit a video if required.
Preparing for your audition:
What do I need to bring to my audition?
You will need to bring your instrument, music and your national identification card (ID) or passport.
What music will I need to prepare for my audition?
You will need to prepare an own choice piece and specific excerpts of popular orchestral works, which can be found here. Please note that the excerpts may change from year to year. The own choice piece can be anything – solo, concerto, sonata, but you should choose a piece that best demonstrates your playing ability.
Will the EUYO provide an accompanist for my audition?
In 2022 you will have to organise your own accompanist for your video recording, or an accompanist will be supplied for live auditions. If you are invited to an online final round, you do not need an accompanist, as the focus will be on the excerpts and the recording you submitted.
Will the EUYO pay my travel fare to and from the audition city if I do not live or study there?
As we get hundreds of applicants in each country, sadly we cannot pay your travel to and from the audition.
I’ve been given an audition slot that I’m no longer able to make. What do I do?
Be professional: if you cannot attend your audition, please contact Lia Melo at lia@euyo.eu as soon as possible.
At the audition:
I’m running late for my audition. Who do I let know?
Please get in touch with the relevant contact person for the audition as soon as possible. All contact information will be sent out when your audition is confirmed.
I’m unwell and won’t be able to make my audition. Can I reschedule?
Unfortunately, it is very unlikely that you will be able to reschedule your audition if you cannot make it in the first instance. But anyway, let us know as soon as possible.
Where can I warm up?
There will be a warm up room provided at all audition venues. There is also someone who will show you the way, if you can’t find it.
After your audition:
When will I hear back about whether I’ve been accepted or not?
You will hear from us by email in January 2023
Where can I view my audition video?
Unfortunately, we cannot make the audition videos available. They are only for the panel members to help the decision-making process.
Can I get feedback from my audition?
All candidates will be given live or online feedback – either during your final-round audition or during your feedback session with an EUYO Alumni Tutor if your audition was online.
I have been asked back for a final audition. What does this mean?
In some countries auditions are conducted in two rounds: preliminary and final auditions. If you are called for a final audition, you are one step closer to joining the EUYO.
I’ve been accepted into the EUYO, now what?
Congratulations! This means you are an EUYO member in 2023 for the Spring and Summer Tour (orchestration permitting), as well as any chamber projects you may be asked to join for the next calendar year.
Are there any costs that I have to pay as a Member?
There is no membership fee for being part of the EUYO. Moreover, once accepted as a Member, the EUYO pays for the costs of train or flight travel to and from EUYO projects, all EUYO music teaching and tutor costs, and accommodation and food costs incurred as part of our projects. You will still be responsible for the insurance of your instrument (unless we provide the instrument) and any separately incurred incidental costs.
I’ve been put on the 'reserve list'.
This means that should one of our Members not be able to make a specific tour, you may be asked to join the EUYO for that tour.
I haven’t been accepted into the EUYO.
Competition is very tough with a few thousand candidates each year. Please do not be disheartened, keep practicing and we invite you to audition again next year.