Application / Re enrolment for membership of the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra for the academic year commencing September 2015 NOW CLOSED - late applications may be considered by the Head of Music Service should vacancies occur.
Belfast Education and Library Board - City of Belfast School of Music
CBYO ADMISSION POLICY 2015-16
Applications/Re-enrolments for the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra are invited from instrumentalists aged between 15 and 20 on 1st July 2015. Consideration may be given to younger and/or older players, at the discretion of the Head of Music Service. Applicants should be of a playing standard equivalent to Grade 7 or above.
New Applicants not currently attending Belfast School of Music
New applicants who wish to apply to CBYO for 2015-16 and are not currently enrolled in any School of Music group must complete the City of Belfast School of Music Senior Application /Form 2015-16. This can be obtained from Belfast School of Music office or by clicking here
These forms must be returned by 21st March 2015!
New Applicants currently in other School of Music Groups and current CBYO members who wish to re enroll
If you are currently in another CBSM group and would like to apply for CBYO next year or already a CBYO member and wish ro re enrol - you should complete the School of Music Senior Re Enrolment form which will be given out at group activities or posted home with tuition reports during March
These should be returned by 18th April 2015
Entry to CBYO for new applicants is by competitive audition. In the event of over-subscription, current members of the orchestra may be required to audition for re-enrolment purposes (see below). Continuing membership of the orchestra is based on attendance and progress etc as set out in the CBSM Terms and Conditions (available from CBSM or www.cbsm.org.uk).
Auditions (New applicants only)
These will take place Saturday 2nd May
At the audition candidates will be required to play one piece of their own choice. Percussionists will be required to have experience on the full range of orchestral instruments. An accompanist will not be provided. Applicants will be sent orchestral excerpts to prepare in advance and also be required to sight read from an orchestral work. Please note that orchestral excerpts and sight reading will carry significant weighting in the overall marking scheme
Orchestra Places
Places in the orchestra will be allocated depending on the number of places available in each section. Where the total number of students who have re-enrolled together with the number of new applicants exceeds the number of places available in a particular section, places will be awarded in the first instance to existing members of the orchestra upon the application of the following criteria, in the order set down, numbered 1 to 3:
1. Members who are 18 and under on 1st July 2014
2. Members who have been in the orchestra for not more than 3 years at 1st September 2014
3. Members who receive tuition on their instrument at CBSM
If any places remain available in a particular section after the above criteria have been applied, preference will then be given to new applicants who meet the required standard, who will be offered a place on the basis of their respective audition score; those achieving higher scores being allocated before those with lower scores. If there are two or more new applicants within a particular section with the same score, the following criteria will be applied, in the order set down, numbered a to c:
a. Students enrolled at CBSM as of 1st September 2013
b. Students who receive tuition on their instrument at CBSM
c. Students who are 17 and under on 1st July 2015
In the event that oversubscription occurs after the application of the criteria numbered a to c above, preference shall be given in accordance with the age of the new applicants, eldest first.
Should any places remain available after the allocation of places to existing members and new applicants as detailed above, the remaining places will be allocated to other existing members on the basis of an audition, those achieving higher scores being allocated before those with lower scores.
In the event that undersubscription occurs and there are insufficient applicants of the required standard in a particular section, the relevant Head of Department will direct appropriate students to fill these positions. Their decision will be based on consideration of the following factors: Grade achieved, attendance record, assessments, and the age of the student.
Should any places become available in the course of the year, places will be offered to new applicants who meet the required standard on the basis of their respective audition score. If there are no other applicants who meet the required standard, the relevant Head of Department will direct appropriate students to fill these positions based on Grade achieved, attendance record, assessments, and the age of the student. If necessary, auditions will be held.
Any queries regarding this policy should be directed to the relevant Head of Department or the Head of Music Service Mrs Rowena Eames.
February 2015