National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America

The National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA)[1] is the national youth orchestra of the United States. Organized by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute, it was established in 2012, and its first concert tour took place in the summer of 2013. Each summer, following an application and audition process, about 120 musicians ages 16 to 19 attend a two-week residency at Purchase College, New York, followed by a national or international tour.

National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America
Youth orchestra
The National Youth Orchestra of China (in red) rehearsing alongside the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (in blue)
Short nameNYO-USA
Founded2012 (2012)
LocationPurchase College, State University of New York
Websitewww.carnegiehall.org/Education/Young-Musicians/NYO-USA

History

In January 2012 Carnegie Hall announced the launch of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA).[1] The orchestra was created by Weill Music Institute, the hall's music education and community outreach wing. The NYO-USA was set up along broadly similar lines to the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Organization

Supported by a faculty of principal players from professional American orchestras, the musicians' preparation during NYO-USA's residency is overseen by the orchestra director. The current orchestra director is James E. Ross.[2]

The NYO-USA has no permanent music director and is instead led by a different conductor each summer. The inaugural guest conductor was Russian conductor Valery Gergiev.[3]

Orchestra membership and activities

The NYO-USA is a full symphony orchestra consisting of around 120 young musicians.[1] Depending on the repertoire for the season it may or may not include harpists and orchestral keyboardists.[4]

Membership to the orchestra changes each year with an annual application and audition process.

Eligibility

To apply to join the NYO-USA, applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 19 years old during the summer of participation (e.g. for the 2020 season, applicants’ birthdays must fall between July 1, 2000, and June 30, 2004). Additionally, applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents who are not enrolled full-time in a college-level conservatory or music department on an instrumental performance major.[4]

Applications and auditions

Applications to join the NYO-USA are made online between the August and November preceding the summer of participation, and include a brief biographical essay, two recommendations and an audition video including a piece of choice and several excerpts. The audition video must also include spoken (biographical, motivational) sequences.[4]

Applicants may apply more than once in any one year by submitting applications for more than one instrument (excluding instrument sub-family combinations such as piccolo and flute), but respective full applications have to be made.[4]

Former members of the NYO-USA may apply to rejoin as long as the eligibility criteria, above, are met.[4]

Seasons
SeasonGuest conductorGuest soloistTour venuesRepertoire
2013[5][6]Valery GergievJoshua Bell, violin
2014[7]David RobertsonGil Shaham, violin
2015[8]Charles DutoitYundi Li, piano
2016[9]Christoph Eschenbach
Valery Gergiev		Emanuel Ax, piano
Denis Matsuev, piano
2017[10] Marin Alsop
2018[11] Michael Tilson Thomas Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
2019[12] Sir Antonio Pappano Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano

Magdalena Kožená, mezzo-soprano

Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano

See also

References
  1. Carnegie Hall (2012). Carnegie Hall presents: 2011-2012 Annual Report. New York: Carnegie Hall.
  2. "National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America: 2013 Faculty". Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  3. "National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America: Frequently Asked Questions". Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  4. "National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America: Application Process". Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  5. "National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America: 2013 Residency and Tour". Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  6. "National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America: Guest Artists". Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  7. "National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America: 2014 Residency and Tour". Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  8. "NYO-USA Tours China with Dutoit and YUNDI". Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall. Retrieved 2 Feb 2013.
  9. "National Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall". Retrieved 19 Feb 2016.
  10. Tommasini, Anthony (2017-07-23). "Review: U.S. Youth Orchestra Inspires a Chinese Counterpart". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-11-21.
  11. "NYO-USA 2018". www.carnegiehall.org. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  12. "NYO-USA 2019". www.carnegiehall.org. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
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