Western Balkans Youth Orchestra
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WBYO Accelerando
WBYO Accelerando is an EU-supported project to advance the Western Balkans Youth Orchestra (WBYO) development.
The Western Balkans Youth Orchestra (WBYO) is a groundbreaking initiative establishing an orchestra of young professionals from the entire Western Balkans. The WBYO seeks to unite the region's youth, breaking down barriers and fostering long-lasting peace, featuring genres from classical to pop and rock music.
The platform for young musicians will work across national, ethnic, religious, and cultural divides, contributing to ongoing cross-border and interethnic cooperation.
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Concerts Overview
Check out our concert calendar and join us for an unforgettable experience!
Auditions
Overview
WBYO works very closely with its local partners and audition organisers in all six non-EU countries of the Western Balkans. They are responsible for all suggestions regarding the application of young professionals from their countries, and we appreciate this collaboration very much
Auditions
The Musicians’ Selection Process of the Western Balkans Youth Orchestra
Dear young musician,
Welcome to the audition website of the Western Balkans Youth Orchestra. Thank you for your interest in the WBYO!
WBYO works very closely with its local partners and audition organisers in all six non-EU countries of the Western Balkans. They are responsible for all suggestions regarding the application of young professionals from their countries and we appreciate this collaboration very much.
The selection process for the WBYO summer 2023 season will be implemented through an online application process, which will take place from May 08 to June 08, 2023. For a smooth and quick registration for the auditions it is important that you read the conditions of participation (below) carefully.
First Round
First Round
All young professionals born between 01 January 1996 and 31 December 2007 in the non-EU Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) and holding a high/advanced level of musical education are invited to go through the application process for the WBYO summer 2023 season. Young professionals from other Western Balkans countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, and Slovenia) are also invited to submit their applications for the WBYO. The WBYO Accelerando project provides the panel of online auditions.
You must select the country of your birth as your Audition/Application Country. As part of the first round of the online auditions, you will need to include a YouTube link (click here for more information about the application processing and requested orchestral parts) in your application (which you should upload to YouTube, either as an unlisted or public video – do not choose the “private” setting). You can also send your videos by email, sending us a wetransfer.com (or similar) link to auditions@wbyo.org.
All submitted videos will be judged by a specialist (selected by the WBYO) in your instrument. There is one application form for all countries of the WB to use. Successful candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the first round, generally 1 week after the application deadline, that they will be invited to the final round. Please note that it can take up to two weeks until the results of the first round will be sent out due to the possible high number of candidates.
Final (Second) Round
Final (Second) Round
All successful candidates of the WBYO summer 2023 season first audition round will be invited to send recordings of five selected parts of the current concert program Western Balkans go Dance within two weeks after the invitation. These videos can be send via email to auditions@wbyo.org
The selected parts by Brahms, Kodaly, Khachaturian and Shostakovich will be presented here.
For both auditions’ rounds, you will be heard by ONE experienced WBYO panel member.
Our audition process is designed to ensure fairness across different instruments and countries. This is our highest priority. Your audition is only the first stage of our judging process, as it is followed by an extensive moderation process to guarantee fairness.
APPLY
APPLY
Candidates will be asked to include in their application a recording of a piece of their choosing (e.g. a movement from a concerto, sonata etc., max. duration of 5 minutes) and a selection (2 or 3 orchestral extracts of different characters) of this year's WBYO Orchestral Extracts. The recording should be in one take and be uploaded on Youtube (either as an unlisted or public video). The candidates can also send a video link to auditions@wbyo.org.
Percussionists will be asked to play a selection of prepared orchestral excerpts only (no solo piece).
Pianists will be asked to play all the mandatory excerpts and an own-choice solo piece. The own choice piece can be longer than 5 min. (i.e. a movement of a Concerto or Sonata, etc.), but you should only play about 5 minutes of it. Pianists also have their own separate video-submission deadline of June 11, 2023. Please provide a YouTube link in the Piano Audition Video Link field on the application form.
NOTE: If you think there might have been an error while submitting your form, you can resubmit the form.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the selection process work? Read more!
A "must read" before applying
These rules and regulations apply to new applicants for the summer 2023 WBYO: All applicants for the summer 2023 Orchestra must be aged between 16 and 27 inclusive on 31 December 2023. All applicants must hold passports from one of the six non-EU countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina) Read more!
Audition recommendation and requirements
How can aspiring WBYO players be better prepared for an audition? We have asked ourselves this question, and we have come up with a little help for you in the form of videos made by our tutors, in which some of the most troubling issues are dealt with. You will have a better idea on how to prepare by looking through these resources. Read more!
Leader Application
Apply to be Leader of the WBYO. The Western Balkans Youth Orchestra is searching for an orchestra leader for the Orchestra’s summer 2023 season. Read more!
Media
Welcome to the Media Section of the Western Balkans Youth Orchestra (WBYO Accelerando)
Press Reports
Support Us
The Western Balkans Youth Orchestra (WBYO Accelerando) is supported by organizations, foundations, and individuals who are committed to contributing to ongoing cross-border and interethnic cooperation in the region, breaking down barriers and fostering long-lasting peace.
HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT US?
Our supporters in this journey
