The Opera North Youth Orchestra (ONYO) forms part of the Opera North Youth Company. It serves to help dedicated young musicians transition from further or higher education into the professional world of music.
Drawing inspiration from the orchestral and opera work of Opera North, the Youth Orchestra prepares and performs two programmes of challenging repertoire each academic year. Rehearsing in the Orchestra of Opera North rehearsal studios, the Youth Orchestra provides opportunities to learn the musical and non-musical intricacies of working within a high-level orchestra whilst gaining further experience with orchestral and operatic repertoire.
Central to the programming of the Opera North Youth Orchestra is creating opportunities for the ensemble to work together and perform with soloists, conductors and ensembles from Opera North’s performing company. The Orchestra is led by conductor Oliver Rundell, and sections are coached by members of the orchestra of Opera North. Repertoire this season has included:
Ernest Chausson – Poème, Op. 25
César Franck – Symphony in D Minor
Margaret Bonds – The Montgomery Variations
Engelbert Humperdinck – Extracts from Hänsel und Gretel
Members benefit from mentorship from the musicians and artistic team of Opera North, in addition to connecting with a variety of professional orchestral and opera conductors. The Opera North Youth Orchestra is designed to complement participants’ existing study schedule, rehearsing during school and university holidays and on selected weekends over the academic year.
The Orchestra is currently accepting applications for the following instruments*:
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp
Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon
Brass: French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone & Bass Trombone, Tuba
Percussion*Depending on existing players’ plans, we may not audition specific instruments if there are no vacancies.
If you play an orchestral instrument not listed above, please fill in the application form if you would like to register your interest for any future opportunity to audition.
Eligibility
Open to musicians aged 16-25 (and/or still in full-time education) a studying Grade 8+ on their instrument. Please refer to the FAQs section for more information.
Application deadline
Friday 17 April 2026
Audition date
May 2026
How to apply
Complete the application form at the top of this page, making sure you’ve noted the audition date and requirements.
If you have any questions please get in with touch with Youth Orchestra team via onyo@operanorth.co.uk.
Application & audition
Membership to the Opera North Youth Orchestra is by audition each year. Applicants should be comfortable with the repertoire and technical work at grade 8 standard or higher.
For the audition you will be asked to prepare the excerpts listed below as well as an unaccompanied piece of your choice (no more than 2 minutes long). We will confirm your allocated audition time once applications have closed.
Your Audition Piece
The solo piece is of your choosing, and should be a piece you enjoy playing, lasting no more than 2 minutes. It can be a movement or excerpt from a concerto, a sonata or a solo piece. Your piece could be an accompanied or unaccompanied work, but the audition itself will be unaccompanied. Where possible, it should be a piece originally written for the instrument.
Please see the individual audition excerpts below:
Woodwind Audition Excerpts
Brass Audition excerpts
Percussion Audition excerpts
Strings Audition Excerpts
Harp Audition excerpts
These excerpts form an important part of the audition and applicants should ensure that they are well known and prepared. We would encourage you to listen to recordings as you learn them.
Your audition panel will be made up of players from the Orchestra of Opera North – they’re a friendly bunch! We believe everyone should have the chance to develop their practice and performance skills, and have a positive audition experience, whatever the outcome.
All applicants will receive verbal feedback during the audition. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Rehearsal dates
The Opera North Youth Orchestra Season will be split into two programmes. A short series of rehearsals will be held during holidays or on Sundays from 11.00am-4.30pm at the Howard Opera Centre in Leeds in the lead up to each performance. Please note that Saturday rehearsals may sometimes be added if the concert repertoire requires it. Opera North Youth Orchestra members will be expected to attend all rehearsals unless in the event of illness.
The Opera North Youth Orchestra is designed to complement participants’ existing study schedule, rehearsing during school and university holidays and over selected weekends, for two concerts per academic year, followed by a Side-By-Side project in the Spring.
Autumn term
Sunday 25 October 2026 – Saturday 31 October 2026 (a week-long programme)
Sunday 1 November – Concert: Dewsbury Town Hall
Spring term
Sunday 24th January 2027
Sunday 7th February
Sunday 21st February
Sunday 7th March
Saturday 20th March
Sunday 21 March – Concert: Huddersfield Town Hall
Summer term – Dates TBC
A Side-By-Side preparation rehearsal and a Side-By-Side rehearsal with the Orchestra of Opera North
FAQs
- Who can apply?
- What can I expect on audition day?
- Are bursaries available?
- What if I can't make a rehearsal?
- Where is the Howard Opera Centre?
Musicians aged 16-25 (and/or in full-time education) who play an orchestral instrument at Grade 8 level or higher.
The Orchestra is currently accepting applications for the following instruments*:
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp
- Woodwind: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon
- Brass: French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone & Bass Trombone, Tuba
- Percussion
*Depending on existing players’ plans, we may not audition specific instruments if there are no vacancies.
If you play an orchestral instrument not listed above, please fill in the application form if you would like to register your interest for any future opportunity to audition.
We encourage applications from those who simply love playing their instrument to a high standard, as well as those who want to build ensemble skills for a professional life as a musician.
If you’d like to register your interest for any future opportunity to audition, please contact us on onyo@operanorth.co.uk.
Auditions can be nerve-wracking, so we aim to make ours fun and informal, helping you to perform at your best and get the most out of the audition experience.
We are not as worried about playing perfection as we are keen to see your musical ability. Your audition panel will be made up of two players from the Orchestra of Opera North – they’re a friendly bunch!
We believe everyone should have the chance to develop their practice and performance skills, and have a positive audition experience, whatever the outcome.
We want to ensure that costs do not create a barrier to taking part and are able to offer bursary places to successful applicants from families in challenging circumstances. Please indicate on your application form if you would like to be considered for a bursary place.
It is also possible to split the cost into multiple instalments, please get in touch by emailing onyo@operanorth.co.uk.
Membership of the orchestra relies on 100% commitment to the rehearsal schedule. In the case there is a date conflict this should be indicated upon acceptance of place.
Howard Opera Centre
8 Harrison St, Leeds LS1 6PA
