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!
Concerts Winter 2025
Western Balkans Meet Beethoven
Check out our concerts 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 musicians,
Welcome to the audition website of the Western Balkans Youth Orchestra. We appreciate 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 and other EU countries. 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 Winter 2024-2025 seasons will be implemented through an online application process, which will take place from October 15 to October 30 2024.
For a smooth and quick registration for the auditions, it is crucial that you read the conditions of participation (below) carefully.
First Round
First Round
All young professionals born between 01 January 1997 and 31 December 2008 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 & Winter 2024 seasons.
Young professionals from other Western Balkans countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, and Slovenia) and from other EU countries are also invited to submit their applications for the WBYO. We also strongly encourage young musicians from other EU countries to submit their applications as part of our programmes.
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 link to a Video Recording (click here for more information about the application processing and all requested Orchestral Extracts) in your application (which you should upload to YouTube/Vimeo as an “unlisted” video – do not choose the “public” or “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 (and EU) to use.
Successful candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the first round, generally up to four weeks after the application deadline, that they will be invited to the final round.
Please note that it can take up to four weeks until the first-round results are sent out due to the possibly high number of candidates
Final (Second) Round
Final (Second) Round
All successful candidates of the WBYO Summer & Winter 2024 seasons' first audition round will be invited to send recordings of three selected parts of the current concert program of the Summer & Winter orchestra residencies within two weeks after the invitation. These videos can be sent via email to auditions@wbyo.org
The selected parts by will be presented here.
You will be heard by ONE experienced WBYO panel member for both audition rounds.
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 an extensive moderation process follows it 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 ALL this year's WBYO Orchestral Extracts. The recording should be in one take and uploaded on YouTube (choose the "unlisted" option; no "public" or "private" video option). The candidates can also send a video link to auditions@wbyo.org.
NOTE: If there may have been an error while submitting your form, you can resubmit the application 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 Summer & Winter 2024 Orchestra applicants must be aged between 16 and 27 (born between 01 January 1997 and 31 December 2008). All applicants should 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 some 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 better understand how to prepare by looking through these resources. Read more!
Leader Application
Apply to be the Leader of the WBYO. The Western Balkans Youth Orchestra is searching for an orchestra leader for the Orchestra’s Summer & Winter 2024 seasons. 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.
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