HOW TO APPLY

Applications will open on Friday 27 February and close on Tuesday 17 March.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

You can request your excerpts NOW by completing the Audition Pack form below. There is no deadline to submit a request for an Audition Pack, although the earlier you apply, the earlier you can get practising.

Before you start preparing your excerpts make sure you are familiar with our Audition Recording Requirements below. Any application that does not follow the audition recording requirements will not be considered for the programme.

Deadline for application: 5pm, Tuesday 17 March

ELIGIBILITY

• Applicants must be a New Zealand resident, citizen, student (including exchange students) or visa holder

• Applicants must be 25 years of age or younger as of 17 March 2026

IMPORTANT DATES

01 Dec 2025 – Audition packs available to request via Audition Pack form 
27 Feb 2026 – Applications open 
17 Mar 2026 – Applications close 5pm 
02 Apr 2026 – Positions for 2026 National Youth Orchestra offered 
07 Apr 2026 – Final date for accepting place 
28 Jun 2026 – 2026 National Youth Orchestra programme commences 
04 Jul 2026 – 2026 National Youth Orchestra programme ends   

For further information, please contact the NZSO Education team at education@nzso.co.nz.