Application Information

2021 New York String Orchestra Seminar Application Information

Due to ongoing health and safety concerns around the coronavirus, this year’s seminar and application process will be different from past programs.

• The seminar will be shorter than usual, taking place December 19–24, 2021.
• Carnegie Hall is presenting the participants in one concert on December 24 at 7:00 p.m.
• We are unable to include wind, brass, and timpani players this year. (Because of this regrettable situation, Maestro Laredo will keep the expanded age limits for next year’s applicants.)
• All applicants will need to submit proof of full vaccination status.
• The application and audition process will still consist of an initial recorded audition and a second audition by invitation only, but this year the second audition will be a video audition, rather than a live one.

The application will open on Monday, August 2, 2021, and close at midnight (ET) on Monday, October 4, 2021.

Application to the 2021 New York String Orchestra Seminar is a two-step process:

1. Submit the application, proof of coronavirus vaccination, $25 application fee, and recorded audition (audio recording; mp3 files only) by the deadline, Monday, October 4, 2021. The recorded audition repertoire is found at the bottom of this page. The application will open on Monday, August 2, 2021. (Please contact us at nsc@newschool.edu to inquire if you are eligible for a fee waiver due to financial hardship.)
   
   
2. On the basis of the technical ability and musicianship demonstrated in the recorded audio audition, a select group of applicants will be invited to submit a video audition by November 1, 2021.

To be considered for admission, you must pass both a recorded and a second invitation-only video audition. Repertoire requirements for the video auditions differ from requirements for mp3 auditions.

Only previous NYSOS participants and designated alternates are exempted from the requirement to submit the initial mp3 audition with their applications. If you are unsure if you were a designated alternate, email the office at nsc@newschool.edu to confirm your status.

All others must submit a recorded audition with their applications to be considered for the video audition.

The initial mp3 audition is not simply a pre-screening. It is your first audition. Even if you have previously passed a New York String Orchestra Seminar audition, you are not guaranteed an invitation to the video audition. Please prepare with as much care as you would for a live audition.

Those who pass the recorded audition will be contacted by email to submit a video email. You must pass the video audition to be considered for participation; there are no exceptions.

Application and Deadline Information

The application, audition audio files, and application fee must be received by October 4, 2021.

The deadline for the invitation only video audition is November 1, 2021.

All applicants will be informed of results by email.

We strongly encourage early application submission.

The seminar will take place December 19-24, 2021.

There is no participation fee for those accepted to the program. Every accepted student receives free tuition, housing, meals, and local transportation (total value more than $3,750). Participants pay their travel costs to and from New York City.

Qualifications and Requirements

1. Applicants must be between 16 and 24 years of age at the time of the seminar (we will require proof of age).
2. Applicants must submit proof at time of application that they are fully vaccinated against coronavirus.
3. Applicants must be advanced, technically proficient musicians with experience playing in an ensemble or orchestra.
4. Applicants may have previously participated New York String Orchestra Seminar no more than once (with the exception of those for whom the remote 2020 seminar was their second participation).
5. Applicants must be current students or recent graduates. Professional musicians are not eligible to participate.
6. Applicants must be living in the United States at the time of application and be either U.S. citizens or attending a U.S. institution on a current, valid student visa.
7. All those accepted must provide proof of health insurance.
8. All those accepted must agree to stay in the housing provided by the New York String Orchestra Seminar December 19-24, 2021.

The SlideRoom application will be available here August 2-October 4, 2021.

Recorded Audition Requirements

1. The application recording(s) must be between 10 and 15 minutes long total.
2. Audition recordings must be in mp3 format (we will not accept videos or other audio formats).
3. Accompaniment is not required, but is allowed.
4. Submit each required audition element as a separate mp3.

Required Recorded AUDIO Audition Repertoire

Violin

• First movement/exposition of a Mozart concerto
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of your choice
• Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream, first page of the scherzo (Beginning - 7 measures after Letter D)

Viola

• One movement of your choice from any suite for solo viola by J. S. Bach
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of your choice
• Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream, first page of the scherzo (Beginning - Letter D)

Cello

• One movement of your choice from any suite for solo cello by J. S. Bach
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting concerto of your choice
• Mendelssohn: Midsummer Night's Dream, first page of the scherzo (Beginning - Letter D)

Bass

• Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4, first movement, mm. 41 – downbeat of 90
• Mozart: Symphony 39, first movement, m. 40 - Letter C
• One movement of your choice from any suite for solo cello by J. S. Bach
• Exposition of the first movement of a contrasting work of your choice 

Invited Video Audition

Invitations to submit a video audition will be sent by email with instructions for labeling and uploading the audition.

The deadline for video submission is November 1, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

The repertoire requirements for the video audition can be found here.

All applicants will be notified by email of the audition result by November 19, 2021.

We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the entirety of each work, so that you understand the excerpts in context. Preparation and execution of the orchestral excerpts is often the deciding factor in an applicant's acceptance to the program.