EUYO auditions
The European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) is open to musicians aged 16 to 26 years on 31 December of the year in which the audition takes place. Application for EUYO is possible for all musicians holding a passport from one of the 27 current European Union Member States. Candidates may apply to audition in any EU Member State, providing that the country is the candidate's country of birth, country of residence, country of study/work, or the country they hold a passport for.
Unlike members of NJO, EUYO members will have to audition for a position in EUYO every year, even if they have previously played or currently hold a position in the orchestra. However, musicians who are already an EUYO member or who were placed on the reserve list will be invited for the final audition round immediately.
EUYO 2023
Application for the EUYO 2023 auditions is now closed. Registration was possible until and including 15 October 2022. Read more on the EUYO auditions page on the EUYO-website. Information on EUYO concerts can be found on the EUYO homepage.
Application via NJO
NJO organises the applications and the first and second audition round for the EUYO for students born in the Netherlands, holding a Dutch passport and/or residing or studying in the Netherlands. For students of other European nationalities (including Belgian) or residence we refer you to the website of EUYO.
To apply for a position in EUYO (and/or NJO), you will have to create a personal NJO account or adjust your current NJO account, which you can consult and/or adjust whenever necessary.
Audition information
Auditions for the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) take place in the Netherlands, usually in November and December. Candidates can apply for EUYO, NJO or both via the NJO portal. For all audition dates, go to Programme & planning. Candidates will receive information about the exact time and location of their audition by email. Information about the EUYO jury can be found on the NJO jury page.
General information about preparation for auditions as well as tips can be found in How to prepare.
All information about feedback, recording of auditions and the procedures after the audition can be found on our webpage After the audition.
Repertoire EUYO auditions
At the audition, EUYO candidates will be asked to play a solo piece that they have selected from the NJO solo pieces list and a selection of EUYO orchestral excerpts. Candidates should make sure they prepare one piece from the NJO solo pieces list – and notify NJO of their choice via the NJO portal – as well as all pieces from the EUYO orchestral pieces list. Woodwind players are advised to audition for auxiliary instruments too, although this is not mandatory. Please read more detailed information on auxiliary instruments on our page How to prepare (under Auxiliary instruments).
Candidates auditioning for both the NJO and the EUYO first audition round will need to prepare the required solo piece(s) from the NJO solo pieces list as well as the required NJO orchestra excerpts. EUYO candidates selected for the final round will be asked to perform a solo piece of their own choice (for suggestions see the NJO solo pieces list) as well as the EUYO orchestral excerpts. Please note that the EUYO orchestral excerpts are different from the NJO orchestra excerpts!
For both the EUYO first and final audition round, a pianist is provided to accompany the solo recital piece. EUYO candidates are obliged to use this piano accompaniment for the auditions. The pianist will rehearse with the candidate just before the audition. Harp players and percussionists are exempted from using piano accompaniment.
Notes for percussionists:
- Percussionists will be asked to play (a selection of) the orchestral excerpts only (no solo piece).
- Percussionists who are already an NJO member, but who wish to audition for the timpanist position in NJO, are only asked to prepare the timpani orchestra excerpts for their audition. If you also audition for EUYO, you should prepare both the NJO orchestra excerpts for the first round and – if you are through to the second round – the EUYO excerpts for the second round. Percussionists who only audition for EUYO should only prepare the EUYO excerpts for the first and second round.
Summary information
Contact EUYO
If you have any questions regarding the NJO/EUYO auditions, please contact the NJO orchestra manager: twan njon.nl For urgent problems during the audition period please call Twan Dubbers (preferably during office hours): +31(0)6 1537 5844
If you have any questions regarding EUYO, please read the information on the auditions page on the EUYO website or contact Alexia Higgs, Orchestra Personnel & Auditions EUYO: Alexia.Higgs euyo.eu.