Take Part

At NSSO, we work hard to support players and their parents in achieving the most out of our youth musical talents. Courses are offered to children aged 8-17, of grade 3 to diploma standard and above. However, musical talent is the only real test for joining our orchestra and grading examinations are not compulsory.

If you’re ready for the next steps and would like to join NSSO, you’ll find all the information you need to know on how to apply, below.

Please note that unfortunately this year we are unable to accept applications from euphonium players for the Philharmonic Orchestra or Harp players for any of our ensembles. Saxophone players will only be able to apply for the Big Band course.

New Members

We welcome new members to join us for this exciting, challenging course, learning new repertoire, making new friends and having the time of their lives in this spectacular venue.

To take part, the process is as follows:

  1. Enrol using our online application form
  2. Pay your deposit (as indicated at the end of the application form)
  3. Submit your Audition

Your place will be confirmed by December 15th. Final balances will be due by 1st February 2023.

Deposits will be returned if you are not successful in winning a place on the course of your choice.

Existing Members

We welcome returning members to join us for this exciting, challenging course, learning new repertoire, making new friends and having the time of their lives in this spectacular venue.

To take part, you will need to:

  1. Sign in to your account
  2. Pay your deposit (as indicated at the end of the application form)
  3. Send us a recording of you playing recently in order to place you in the best ensemble for your current standard.

Further information will be released in early 2023 with course handbook and a personal information form within your account to fill in ahead of the course. Final balances will be due by 1st February 2023.

 

Useful Links

Looking for something else? Here are a few pages that might be of interest:

Fees

Course fees for 2023, including Philharmonic, Sinfonia, Academy Orchestras and the Big Band.

Bursaries

Find out about available means-tested bursaries, from NSSO and external organisations.

Auditions

Auditions for July 2023 courses are open! Click here for more information and to submit your auditions.

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If you have an enquiry about any aspect of NSSO please feel free to get in touch:

NSSO, Malvern College, College Road, Malvern, WR14 3DF

T: 01684 581695

E: hello@nsso.org

Latest News

Welcome from NSSO’s new Artistic Director Nicole Wilson March 20, 2022

When Malvern College approached me to take over from the wonderful John Madden as artistic director for NSSO, I was thrilled to bits! Music courses were the highlight of my childhood. I lived from course to course with an actual count down on my wall to see how many sleeps until the next time I […]

A warm welcome from Leandro Silvera for NSSO Sinfonia members 2021 June 11, 2021

Dear NSSO Sinfonia 2021. I’m absolutely delighted that we will finally be able to meet in person this summer at Malvern College. It will be an amazing course! We have all missed playing together in orchestras (one thing that Zoom can never offer us!) so it will be a pleasure to see you all again […]

A warm welcome from Richard Dickins for NSSO Philharmonic members 2021 June 11, 2021

Hello NSSO Philharmonic members 2021. I’m thrilled that this year we can, after all, meet in person to make music at Malvern College. It will be a pleasure to see again those of you who have been on the course in previous years, and it will also be a great pleasure meeting the many new […]