Residents of Canada, including full-time students in any Canadian institution, who study an orchestral instrument and are between the ages of 16 and 28 years old on July 1st, 2027 can apply. (International applicants, please contact info@nyoc.org for eligibility).

Auditions are approximately fifteen minutes long and usually consist of a solo lasting 2 to 4 minutes, a variety of orchestral excerpts, and scales. Please see the Audition Repertoire page for specific requirements for your instrument. Annual entry into the Orchestra is based on the results of these auditions.

NYO Canada only accepts video recordings as a means of auditioning.

After you have applied,

• Upload your audition video to YouTube and enter your Application ID as the title i.e. G1A123
• Set the video visibility to “Unlisted”
• Submit your video URL via the Upload My Audition form.

The video upload deadline is February 1st, 2027, 11:59pm local time.

• Early Bird ($50) October 1 – 7
• Regular ($75) October 8 – November 30
• Final Fee ($100) December 1 – February 1

**Please note all fees must be paid on or before each deadline for the corresponding price bracket. Fees to be paid in CAD online with VISA or MASTERCARD.

NYO Canada reserves the right to refuse any application.

The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferrable.

First, you need to upload your audition video by February 1, 2027. We will test your video to make sure the URL works and confirm with you by email. If you do not get this confirmation from us within a week after you upload your video, please contact us by phone at 1-416-532-4470. In case of technical problems with your video, you will be asked to upload it again prior to the deadline. Please provide yourself enough time in case we encounter any upload and playback issues, as this will allow us to assist you if needed.

Shortly after the auditions process has been completed (usually in early to mid-March) candidates will be advised as to which category they have been classified:

1. Those who have secured places in the NYO Canada;
2. Those still under consideration for places as alternates in NYO Canada;
3. Those who have not been selected to participate in NYO Canada.

All orchestra members receive a scholarship valued at approximately $23,500 that covers all tuition costs, room and board while at session, and travel and accommodations on tour. Additionally, all members who do not win a Michael Measures Prize, or Award of Excellence will receive a $1,500 honorarium paid out in two installments, one before tour starts at the end of the training session and one in fall upon successful submission of all final documentation.

Canada Council for the Arts Michael Measures and Awards of Excellence: (Offered with acceptance letters in March)

Canada Council for the Arts Michael Measures 1st Prize: $25,000 plus concerto solo with NYO Canada
Canada Council for the Arts Michael Measures 2nd Prize: $15,000 plus additional performance opportunities at the discretion of NYO Canada administration.

10 Awards of Excellence: $5,000 each

If you are interested in the Michael Measures Prizes and/or Awards of Excellence, please make sure you have properly indicated that on your application and that your audition includes the required additional repertoire and material, if applicable.

Additional Awards (announced after orchestra selection, or during session/tour)

The Brian G’froerer Memorial Horn Award: $1,500
The Payne-Lyon Prize of Excellence in Flute: $1,000
Stephen Sitarski Leadership Award: $2,000
Nick Atkinson Brass Award: $2,000
The Hillis Prairie Musician Award: $1,000

There are no additional application requirements for these awards, all musicians are automatically considered, where applicable.
Please see Awards page for individual criteria.

All training costs, food, and housing at the training session, as well as travel and accommodations on a tour are covered by each musician’s scholarship.

You will be responsible for the following costs:

Travel costs for yourself and your instrument to the session in Waterloo, ON;
Travel costs to return home/your next summer destination at the end of the tour*;
Food costs during the tour: we suggest budgeting $75 a day for food and incidentals.

* Large instruments (cello/bass/tuba) can also be shipped with NYO Canada back to Toronto and picked up from our office.