National Boys Choir Auditions 2013

If I apply will I get an audition?

Everyone who applies will be auditioned by Christopher Bell, Director of the National Boys Choir.

Start practising now!

What should I sing at the audition?

You should bring a song you have learned and can sing well. It is not advisable to sing songs from shows (Cats, Les Miserables etc), as these do not always show off the full vocal potential. Discuss suitable repertoire with your singing or class teacher now. An accompanist will be provided. In addition, applicants will be given simple exercises to sing to test the range of their voices.

Where and when are the auditions?

Audition locations are dependent on sufficient numbers applying from each area but may be in Aberdeen, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness and will take place during the periods 17-19 and 24-26 January 2013. The opportunity to audition by video link may be available to island dwellers.

How much will it cost?

Membership of the Junior Corps will cost £315 inclusive of full-board accommodation, provision of music and all musical and recreational activities for the residential course. Membership of the National Boys Choir will cost £415 and the Changed Voice Section will cost £415 which includes the additional commitments for both choirs.

Don’t be put off by the cost as financial assistance is often available. For further information contact us or see FAQ on the NBC 2013 page of the NYCoS website www.nycos.co.uk.

Drew Farrell

Course Staff NYCoS is fortunate to be able to secure the highest quality music and house staff to ensure that the end result is always spectacular and enjoyable. The National Boys Choir will be directed by Christopher Bell. The Course Director is Ruth Townsend and she leads a team of qualified and experienced house staff. NYCoS has an Equal Opportunities Policy and Child Protection Guidelines in operation to ensure the wellbeing of choir members.

NYCoS National Boys Choir - Perth Concert Hall 2012

National Youth Choir of Scotland The Mitchell, North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN Telephone: 0141 287 2856 Fax: 0141 287 2858 e-mail: admin@nycos.co.uk www.nycos.co.uk Scottish Charity No: SC024899 Registered in Scotland No: SC165149

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Concert Date The end of course concert for Junior Corps, NBC and the Changed Voices Section takes place on Thursday 4 April, 3.00pm in Glasgow City Hall.

Additional Engagements NBC 20-21 April, Concert in Inverness. Changed Voices May, Concert in Belfast.

Full details will be advised at the time of audition. Boys will be expected to take part in both the residential course and the additional engagements.

Junior Corps: The Junior Corps section of the choir offers an enjoyable singing experience for boys, aged 10 and upwards, with unchanged voices who are not quite ready for membership of NBC. The Junior Corps has its own choir director and staff, and undertakes the same variety of full rehearsals, sectional rehearsals and musicianship games sessions as NBC. It has its own performance slot in the final concert.

National Boys Choir (NBC): This choir is for more experienced boys whose voices are still unchanged but have developed to a stage that can cope with the increased musical and vocal demands of this group. Previous engagements have included participation in a performance of Britten War Requiem at Edinburgh International Festival and tours to Northern Ireland, the Lake District and Aberdeen International Youth Festival.

The Changed Voice Section: National Boys Choir is helping to encourage young boys to continue to sing through the stages of their changing voice by having a choir made up of young baritones. Once a boy’s voice changes he simply moves into this section. The Changed Voice Section provides a place for the young singer to allow his voice to develop. The audience is annually “blown away” by the unique sound of this group. Don’t worry if your voice has only just changed. We know a lot about the changing voice and can offer useful advice. Also, during the course each boy will have two individual singing lessons with a professional vocal coach.

Residential Course: The course dates are 30 March - 4 April 2013, at Loretto School, Musselburgh. Junior Corps, NBC and the Changed Voice Section all take part in the residential course, members will have vocal coaching, musicianship training and full choir rehearsals with highly qualified staff who are experts in their field. The school is set in extensive grounds and as well as providing for all our musical needs, has a gymnasium and sports facilities. The timetable includes recreational activities supervised by our house staff, several of whom are qualified PE instructors.

Who can apply for National Boys Choir?

Boys aged 10-16 (17 depending on vocal maturity) at 30 March 2013, who were born in, are resident in or studying in Scotland. Boys aged 16/17 are also eligible to apply for NYCoS Training Choir. Only one audition will be required if you apply for both choirs providing the application for NYCoS Training Choir is made before 7 December. Apply online for NYCoS Training Choir.

How do I apply?

Complete the attached form and return it by Monday 19 November 2012. All applications will be acknowledged. If you have not received acknowledgement within seven days of sending in your form, please contact the NYCoS office on 0141 287 2856 to check that it has arrived safely.

IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF A NYCoS AREA CHOIR YOUR APPLICATION FORM MUST BE SIGNED BY THE CHOIR DIRECTOR. How will members of the choir be chosen?

Admission to the choir is by audition. The Choir Director will decide whether boys are ready for membership of Junior Corps, National Boys Choir or Changed Voice Section.I

Drew Farrell

The NYCoS National Boys Choir was formed in April 2002 and provides a unique opportunity for boys with changed and unchanged voices to sing together to the highest standards. Performances have been given in Northern Ireland and England as well as across Scotland and include appearances at the BBC Proms in the Park, Edinburgh International Festival and Aberdeen International Youth Festival. National Boys Choir has three sections:

Repertoire The music for NBC is in a wide variety of styles; in unison, two and three parts. Previous concerts have included music by Chilcott, Corp, Franck, Britten and some Scottish folksongs. In 2006 and 2008 NYCoS commissioned The Saga of the Seven Days and Seven Planets and a Cosmic Rock from Tom Cunningham for NBC. In 2012 NBC premiered Going for Gold also by Tom Cunningham.