Information
- By audition
- Applicants should be playing at minimum Grade 6 standard
- Auditions are held in May for September intake
- Auditions may be arranged later in the year should vacancies arise within the orchestra
- Audition consists of own choice piece, prepared orchestral extracts and sight-reading
Belfast Office
Music Service Belfast Office
40 Academy Street,
Belfast.
BT1 2NQ
EA Music’s City of Belfast Youth Orchestra is Belfast’s senior orchestral ensemble, performing a wide range of symphonic and chamber repertoire. Across the year, members take part in concerts and events throughout Belfast and beyond, with opportunities to perform in leading venues and contribute to a varied programme of musical projects.
The orchestra plays an important role in the cultural life of the city, representing EA Music at civic occasions, showcase concerts, and collaborative performances, while giving young musicians the chance to develop their ensemble skills and performance experience to a high standard.
Recently, the orchestra performed in the University of Ulster at a special ceremony conferring an Honorary Doctorate on Sir James Galway, and were invited to perform in the Royal Courts of Justice at a concert hosted by the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan DBE KC.
Rehearsal Dates 2025/26
September: 13, 20, 27
October: 4, 11, 18, 25
November: 8, 15, 22, 29
December: 6, Concert 8th
January: 17, 24, 31
February: 21, 28
March: 7, 14, 21, 28, Concert 31st
April: 18, 25
May: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
June: Concert 13th
New applicants
- Applications are open from late March for around 4 weeks, with auditions taking place in May and results emailed to parents/carers in June. If there are vacancies in the orchestra after this process, a further day of auditions is held in September. Please contact musicservice.belfast@eani.org.uk for more information.
- Entry to CBYO is by competitive audition. Audition panels will be comprised of at least 2 members with at least one sectional tutor from CBYO. The decision of the audition panel is final.
- Places in the orchestra will be allocated depending on the number of places available in each section.
Current CBYO members
- Existing members of CBYO must re-register if returning to the orchestra in September.
- Parents/carers of existing members will be sent full details in late April/early May.
- Only those members who will not reach the age of 19 during 2026/27 (from 1st July) are eligible to re-register.
Queries
For any queries, please contact musicservice.belfast@eani.org.uk