Please read through our video audition preparation and recording information before you start.
Everyone who auditions for NCO prepares a video of their audition pieces. If you play violin or cello and are applying to take part in residential Orchestral Weeks, you will also need to prepare and record orchestral excerpts in a separate video to your pieces.
Many people get nervous about auditions, but there’s no need to worry. All children are in the same boat and everyone is rooting for you. Also, as our auditions are by video, you can send us your best version!
Preparing for your Video Audition
Please prepare two pieces of music around 2-3 minutes each.
Please note that you cannot submit portions of videos recorded for examinations, such as ABRSM Performance Exams. This is in breach of the terms and conditions of examination boards and can disqualify you from the exam the video was originally submitted for and from taking any future exams with that examination board.
Your pieces should contrast in speed and style e.g. one fast and one slow, to show the range of your ability. It is fine for them to be extracts of longer pieces, but they should be no longer than five minutes each. It is not enough to play one longer piece with contrasting sections, please prepare two.
Before you decide what to play, please read the notes for specific instruments in the ‘Who Can Join NCO 2027’ section earlier in this Handbook and bear in mind your whole recording (including your brief introduction as described in the ‘Recording your Video’ section) should not exceed 10 minutes in total.
When choosing your pieces, please think carefully about what you can play confidently. It’s much better to play something you know really well, than to overstretch yourself with something new that might still need more practise!
You do not need to be accompanied for your prepared pieces. You may have a piano accompanist if you choose to but there is no disadvantage to playing unaccompanied, so please think about what will make you feel most comfortable. Recorded accompaniment is not permitted.
Orchestral excerpts (Orchestral Weeks violin and cello)
If you play violin or cello and are applying for the residential orchestras who meet for Orchestral Weeks, you will need to prepare and record 3 or 4 specified short orchestral excerpts in a separate video to your audition pieces. Orchestral excerpts are short passages from regular NCO repertoire designed to test certain qualities of your playing. They will help the audition adjudicators see how different players approach the same repertoire and make our audition process as fair as possible for these instruments where we receive a larger quantity of applications.
It is important to practise them as much as your pieces as they are equally important.
We have included a video to support your practice, with top tips from our NCO tutors and links to recordings of these excerpts on YouTube. Please watch and listen to both to help you in your preparation. These videos can be found on a link at the top of each excerpt.
There are metronome markings/tempo indications on each excerpt – these are there simply as a guide – please play the excerpts at a speed that is comfortable for you and where you can get the greatest accuracy.
Top tips for your audition:
We love to see that you’re enjoying yourself and that you like making music! So, choose pieces that you enjoy performing and see how you can tell us a little bit of a story through your playing.
We love to hear two contrasting pieces so that we can see the different ways that you can play. So please choose one that’s fast and one that’s slow – your teacher should be able to help you choose!
If you’re a percussionist we want to see two different instruments and different styles of playing (see instrument notes for full information).
Make sure you choose a piece that you can play really comfortably. For example, we’d rather hear a grade 6 piece you can play really well, than a grade 7 piece that’s still a little bit out of reach.
Allow yourself to make a few mistakes! We know that when you are recording a video to send to us it’s really hard to be happy sending off a few mistakes. But we ignore a few mistakes in an audition – it’s life and it happens to us all!
We really want you to do well so do your very best, have fun preparing your audition and we can’t wait to see you play!
How, where and when?
Don’t worry if you’ve never done a video audition before, we have detailed instructions on how best to set up your video audition. All you need is a smart phone or camera with reasonable sound quality and a place to film your audition. You will need to read through our guidance below, record your audition, upload your video to an unlisted (not Private) YouTube link and then submit the link to us in your application form.
If you don’t have access to a smart phone or camera to record your audition, please contact us at auditions@nco.org.uk and we will be happy to help.
The date, place and timing for each audition is at the discretion of whoever is making the arrangements – it could be in your own home or where you have your instrumental music lessons for example.
What should my audition video include?
At the start of your video, please introduce yourself briefly (around 30 seconds) by telling us your name, age and the pieces you are going to play. If you wish, you can then pause the recording before you then record both of your pieces in one take. Otherwise, you can start playing straight away, after your spoken introduction.
You may also edit together your introduction video and the video of you playing your two audition pieces if you prefer or need to take a moment to move to your instrument and set yourself up ready to play. However, you should still play your two audition pieces in one take. If you are preparing excerpts for the residential orchestras, they should be recorded as a separate video and then submitted on the same form as your video audition.
Please don’t add any kind of video or audio editing/effects to your audition recording – it distracts us from hearing your playing.
What should my orchestral excerpts video include?
You only need to record additional orchestral excerpts if you play violin or cello and are applying for Orchestral Weeks. These must be recorded and submitted as a separate video to your pieces, again in one take. You can read more about excerpts in step 2, above.
Recording guidelines
To ensure that your child’s audition is suitable for our adjudication and moderation process, please consider the guidelines below when recording the video audition. Auditions that do not adhere to these guidelines may not be able to be considered, and we may need to contact you to rerecord the audition.
All of the instrument should be in the frame and where possible all of your child. Choose the most appropriate orientation of the recording device (landscape or portrait) to ensure the recording area does not cut off any part of the instrument, for example bow ends, or parts of your child that are being used to play their instrument.
Your child should be facing the camera – not at an angle – so their hands and face can be clearly seen as they play and are not covered by any music stands.
Check that the recording device does not flip the video and record a mirror image.
The video camera or smart phone you are using to record the audition should have good sound quality and not add any effects such as reverb to the video.
Try to record in a room that is not too echoey – soft furnishings provide the best sound quality for our adjudicators and moderators.
Use a tripod or stand to set up the recording device so that the audition video is steady.
Record in a well-lit area with enough room to play comfortably. Do not stand directly under lights as this will cast the player’s face in shadow and make sure you do not have anything bright such as a window directly behind you.
Record in a quiet room with no background noise, interference, or interruptions.
You can record the audition as many times as you like before submitting, however we would suggest making 2-3 recordings and then picking the best one. Don’t worry if you make a few small mistakes on the recording- we are expecting there to be mistakes in everyone’s video as no one is perfect!
Percussionists: we realise that you may have to film your audition in different spaces to access all of the instruments required, or may have to move the camera or instruments into different positions to get yourself and the instruments in full view. Because of these logistics, we will allow percussionists only to edit together different videos, or press pause in between pieces to rearrange your instruments and set-up. If you have any questions or difficulty accessing a space where you can record your audition with the available instruments, please get in touch at auditions@nco.org.uk and we will do our best to help.
Submitting your video audition
The deadline for submitting video auditions is Friday 31st July 2026 at 9am.
Before submitting your video, please double check that you can hear the sound all the way through the video. You could even send it to a friend or family member if you want to be really sure! We will check each video once submitted for recording quality purposes and may ask you to record it again if it doesn’t fulfil the above criteria.
We would like you to submit your child’s video audition via an Unlisted (not Private) YouTube link).
Now that you have recorded your audition video/s and uploaded them to Unlisted YouTube link/s, you are ready to return to complete the Audition form. There are separate spaces on the Audition form for you to copy and paste the link to your Audition Video (and Orchestral Excerpts video if applying for residential Orchestral Weeks on violin or cello).
Have you?
Have you read thoroughly all the information about what you need to do for your audition, including the instrument specific notes?
Have you checked which programme/s you are eligible to apply for? And are you ready to say whether you are applying to take part in two residential Orchestral Weeks in 2027 or in two non-residential Orchestral Weekends in 2027 or are applying to be considered for either?
Have you recorded your two contrasting Audition Pieces (one fast and one slow) including your brief introduction?
If you are applying for the residential Orchestral Weeks on Violin or Cello, have you recorded your Orchestral excerpts?
Have you uploaded your recording/s to YouTube (Unlisted not Private) and have you got your link/s ready?
The form is where we will collect all the information we need to process your child’s audition plus the very crucial video audition link/s!
Are you making an audition application for more than one child?
If you are submitting audition applications for more than one child, you need to use a different primary parent/carer contact email address for each child so that their records don’t merge in our system. Each contact email needs to be a parent/carer email address (not a child’s email) and you will need to check it regularly as we will use it for communicating with you about your child’s application.
You can submit your audition using the Audition form via the button below, no later than 9am Friday 31st July 2026.
Your video will be adjudicated and then moderated by official NCO adjudicators and moderators. All footage will be held in accordance with Data Protection guidelines and will not be used for any other purpose.
Once decisions have been made, we will contact you by email. We aim to send out results for all auditions by email in the autumn term of 2026.
If you decide you don’t want to apply any more
Please note if you want to withdraw your application at any point, please email us to let us know so that we don’t send you further auditions updates and so that we don’t book tutors to adjudicate your audition. Letting us know as soon as possible can help us save valuable resources. Thank you.
Any questions?
There are detailed frequently asked questions in the section below, covering topics including which orchestra your child could be placed in, what to do if your child wants to audition on more than one instrument, and more!
If you have any further questions or we can support you with making your application to NCO 2027, please don’t hesitate to contact us at auditions@nco.org.uk
If you have a detailed enquiry and would like to speak to someone on the phone, please send details of your query by email and we will arrange a call back.
If we can support you by providing this information in an alternative format or by giving you additional information relevant to you and your child, please email auditions@nco.org.uk
Yes. This is to make it fair, so everybody has the same chance. Many people get nervous about auditions, but there’s no need to worry. All applicants are in the same boat and everyone is rooting for you. Also, as our auditions are by video, you can send us the very best version!
Make sure you prepare well, including speaking with your teacher who may be able to help you. The adjudicators know what you are going through as they are used to doing auditions themselves, so they will be understanding. Also, as all our auditions are by video, you can record your audition from somewhere you feel comfortable like home or school as many times as you like and send us a version you are happy with.
The audition video can be recorded on any device that you have available, as long as it makes a good quality recording. You can use a mobile phone, video camera, or any other video recording device you have to hand.
At the start of your video, please introduce yourself briefly (around 30 seconds) by telling us your name, age and the pieces you are going to play.
Don’t worry! Everyone’s video will have a few small mistakes as no one is perfect! Just do the best you can.
You do not need to be accompanied for your prepared pieces. You may have a piano accompanist if you choose to but there is no disadvantage to playing unaccompanied, so please think about what will make you feel most comfortable. Recorded accompaniment is not permitted.
Yes. The guideline for pieces is around at least 2 minutes long each so that the adjudicators can hear and see enough of your playing. If one piece is a little less than 2 minutes long then that is fine, but try to choose pieces as close to 2 minutes as you can.
You do not need to have taken any grade exams, because offers of membership are based on your performance at audition, but we are looking for children who can play their instrument to a particular standard and so we offer the age band and grade guidance for each activity. If you are not sure of your approximate grade standard, your teacher may be able to help you.
No. We do not require proof of grades taken.
It is free to audition, and all auditions are submitted via a pre-recorded video.
To take part in NCO there are Membership fees. We are pleased to offer financial support to help ensure that any young musician, no matter their background or circumstance, has the opportunity to accept their offer of a place in NCO.
You can find detailed information on membership fees and financial support on the Auditioning for NCO page.
This should only be done for joining your spoken introduction on to the video of you playing your two audition pieces if you need to take a moment move to your instrument and set yourself up ready to play. You should still play your two audition pieces in one take. If you are preparing excerpts for the residential Orchestral Weeks they should be recorded as a separate video and then submitted on the same form as your video audition.
Yes you can. Please complete a separate application form for each instrument, with entirely separate audition recordings. Please note that any membership offer will be given for one instrument and one orchestra only, as decided by our adjudication and moderation team.
No. Please only send a video of you playing your audition pieces on your main audition instrument. There is space on the form to tell us about any doubling instruments you play and your experience on them.
We encourage applicants to submit their video auditions as early as possible. This helps us to administrate and adjudicate all of the auditions but of course won’t affect your result.
Videos must be submitted with the Audition Form. Auditions will be open until 9am Friday 31st July 2026.
We do not allow applicants to submit pre-recorded performance videos for their audition. Often, performances are recorded from a distance which makes it harder for adjudicators to see or hear the audition and could count against you. We want all applicants to do well, so we ask you to record a video specifically for your NCO audition that is in one take where you can be seen and heard clearly. Remember to check the quality of your video and sound before you record the whole audition.
Please note that you should not submit sections of videos recorded and submitted for graded examinations with exam boards such as ABRSM, Trinity etc. This goes against their terms and conditions and could result in your examination result being invalidated and you being disqualified from participating in future music exams.
If you are recording your audition unaccompanied you do not need to count all the bars of rest if there are a large number of them. Feel free to leave a small silent pause to represent these bars and then continue playing.
It’s ok- they are meant to be hard and cover a range of abilities and qualities in you’re playing. If there is a particular excerpt you are finding difficult, don’t worry. Make sure you practise them as much as your pieces and take them to your teacher. Try playing them slower – the metronome marks are just a guide. We’d rather you play them accurately and slower than too fast and not so well.
You can also find top tips videos from our tutors and suggested recordings to listen to, to give you a feel for the music on each of the excerpts for your age band. If you have any further questions, you can email us at auditions@nco.org.uk
The residential Orchestral Weeks involve residential activities in the Spring and Summer holidays. Each residential lasts between 7 and 8 days depending on the orchestra you are in. The orchestra made up of our eldest members (those aged 13 on 31st August 2026) also meet up for a non-residential weekend in November, leading to a public performance in London.
The non-residential Orchestral Weekends includes two weekends of non-residential, daytime performance-based activities bringing together musicians from across the country. There will be four days of rehearsals per orchestra.
NCO members will also benefit from digital opportunities in advance, better preparing them musically and socially for their courses. Opportunities will include welcome and introductory information on tutors and conductors, an online orchestra meet-up, plus access to creative and wellbeing resources and webinars.
Whichever orchestra you join, you will learn from exceptional NCO tutors, experience the joy and power of playing in live orchestras and will enjoy getting to know your fellow young musicians.
You can choose to apply for a single programme or apply to be considered for both. Once your audition has been adjudicated, you will only be offered a place on only one orchestra. This enables NCO to offer musical opportunities to as many young musicians as possible.
Your video will be adjudicated and then moderated by two NCO tutors and our official moderator. All footage will be held in accordance with Data Protection guidelines and will not be used for any other purpose.
Once decisions have been made, we will contact you by email. We aim to send out results for all auditions by email in the autumn term of 2026, from October onwards.
Please note, we do not give out results over the phone and our decision is final.
Yes. We will let everyone who submitted an audition know if they were successful or not.
If you are offered a place in one of our age-banded orchestras who meet for two residential orchestral weeks during the year, you will be placed in one of our three orchestras according to your age as of 31st August 2026.
If you are offered a place in one of our regional non-residential orchestras who meet for Orchestral Weekends, you will be placed in an orchestra in one of five locations. In order to create the best orchestral experience, we allocate places to create balanced orchestras in each of the five locations. As a guide, applicants who are successful in their audition for a non-residential orchestra will broadly be allocated to the following locations based on where they live:
North: North East of England, North West of England, North Wales, Scotland, Yorkshire and the Humber Midlands: East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, Mid & West Wales South West: South West of England, South Wales, areas of South East of England (Berkshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight) London (x2 orchestras): Greater London, Northern Ireland, areas of South East of England (Kent, Surrey, Sussex)
If you are offered membership for the Orchestral Weekends you will be allocated an orchestra based upon the region you live in. You will be expected to attend both the weekend dates for that orchestra.
Anyone who is offered and accepts membership is expected to attend all activity for the orchestra they are assigned to. For Orchestral Weeks, this is two week-long residentials and for Orchestral Weekends this two non-residential weekends.
Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we are currently not offering feedback on individual auditions.
Please note if you want to withdraw your application at any point, please email us to let us know so that we don’t send you further auditions updates and so that we don’t book tutors to adjudicate and moderate your audition. Letting us know as soon as possible can help us save valuable resources. Thank you.
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