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Young Sinfonia

Young Sinfonia is a high quality youth orchestra with strong links to Royal Northern Sinfonia

Young Sinfonia have worked with many exciting conductors in the past few years, and recently appointed Helen Harrison as their new Music Director.

You’ll play a broad range of music, including works by young composers, performing in Sage One and across the region. The ensemble have engaged young audiences and communities, through RNS’ Classics4Kids concerts (providing instrument demonstrations and interacting with young audiences), creating their own OrKIDStra event, and performing at Age UK Gateshead.  In 22/23 they have been working on a new commission with composer Anna Appleby.

Young Sinfonia currently meet on a project basis with intensive 2 or 3 day rehearsals helping them to bond musically and socially. We look forward to reintroducing a residential into Young Sinfonia’s 23/24 season.

Key Information

Apply now

Applications close on Friday 21 April 2023.

Age: 13-19

Fee for 23/24: £850 to include residential. Bursaries are available

Experience: Intermediate to Advanced players

Audition required

Term Dates

Term Dates 22/23

What is Young Sinfonia like?

Meet some of our Young Sinfonia players and get a taste of what it’s like being part of the ensemble.

How to Apply

Our audition process for 23/24 will continue to be managed remotely with auditions via video.  It will involve you sending us a video, and we will send you detailed information if you are required to audition.  If you are not comfortable with this then we can arrange for you to audition in person.

You can see a video on our standard in person audition process by visiting our Ask Us Anything page. 

Candidates will be asked to:

  • prepare two contrasting pieces to perform
  • perform a prepared sight reading – the links to the music are at the bottom of this page listed by instrument.

Young Sinfonia is a chamber orchestra and doesn’t usually require trombones, tubas, harps or other traditional symphonic instruments. However we may occasionally perform repertoire that does require them. If you would like to be considered on these occasions and for any other information about the programme please email youngmusicians@sagegateshead.com.

Prepared Sight Reading

Bursaries

Our Young Musicians Programme is open to all children and young people, whatever their circumstances. We are keen to encourage applicants from the widest possible range of backgrounds and access a bursary where needed.

Here’s some more information about bursaries.

If you’d like to speak to someone, please email us at youngmusicians@sagegateshead.com.