Joining DYO

If you would like to join Dublin Youth Orchestras, in-person auditions for places from
September 2025 will take place on Sunday 18 May 2025.

To apply for an audition, please read the FAQs below carefully before sumitting an application. A non-refundable audition fee of €35 applies. String players music be aged 9+ and wind, brass and percussion players must be age 11+ on 1 September 2025.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday 9 May 2025

FAQs

  • As a member of DYO you will have the opportunity to:

    • Work with our team of excellent and renowned conductors.

    • Be coached by leading professional orchestral musicians.

    • Meet and spend time with other young musicians.

    • Learn and perform exciting and varied music.

    • Perform at our DYO Annual Gala, which usually takes place in January or February each year.

    • Participate in chamber music days and other special musical events.

    • Take part in fun days out.

    • Travel on bi-annual performance tours. Our tours have taken us to all corners of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Holland, the USA, Canada and China.

    • String players music be aged 9+ and wind, brass and percussion players must be age 11+ on 1 September 2025.

    • Instruments: Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Percussion.

    • New members can audition for any of the four orchestras, subject to age and musical ability.

    • Existing members generally progress from one orchestra to the next every two years. If members wish to move up an orchestra sooner, they must apply via an audition.

    • All members must be taking lessons from a qualified teacher.

    • There is no minimum grade level required.

    • Applicants are accepted into the orchestra based on their performance in their audition.

    • Auditions are approximately 5 minutes long.

    • Applicants are asked to prepare one piece which will be performed solo, without piano accompaniment.

    • Applicants will be required to take a short sight-reading test.

    • Auditions take place in St. Dominic’s College, Dublin 7. The time and date of your audition slot will be sent after the closing date for applications.

    • Each audition panel will incorporate 2 professional musicians who are members of DYO’s team.

    • The audition fee is €35 per applicant.

    • Annual membership of DYO costs €285, with discounts for 2 or more siblings.

    • Scholarship packages are available for young musicians who are experiencing financial hardship.  

    • Rehearsals take place on Sundays approximately once a month from September to May.

    • Junior Strings and the Intermediate Orchestra rehearse from 10:30 - 13:30 and the Concert Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra rehearse from 14:30 - 17:30.

    • Sectional rehearsals are usually scheduled within these times during the first few weeks of each term.

    • Some months incorporate two rehearsals, but there are typically around 12 Sunday rehearsals from September-April each season.

    • All rehearsals take place in St. Dominic’s College, Dublin, D07 NX47.

    • Performances, chamber music days, daytrips and tours require an additional time commitment that varies year-on-year.

Join DYO

If you would like to join Dublin Youth Orchestras, in-person auditions for places from
September 2025 will take place on Sunday 18 May 2025.