When and where is the NYCA 2024 season?
The NYCA 2024 residential season will run from
Saturday 29th June to Sunday 7th July 2024 in Melbourne, VIC
Singers will stay at University College for accommodation and rehearsals.
NYCA Staff
Noel Ancell OAM - NYCA Artistic Director - Click to read bio
Warren Trevelyan-Jones - Director of NYCA 2024, - Click to read bio
Anish Nair - Manager
How good do I have to be to sing in NYCA?
The members of NYCA come from a variety of different backgrounds.
NYCA consists of singers aged 18-26 and many of them study music at university, perform with Australia’s amateur chamber choirs, are the better young singers from community choirs or are graduates of selective high school choirs. Some members are professional musicians with extensive vocal training while others have little or no formal training. Competent sight-reading skills are required, as is good pitch and tone control.
Most NYCAns wish they'd auditioned sooner - if in doubt, take this opportunity and apply!
What was the 2023 NYCA season like?
Intensive. Fun. Thrilling. Friendly. Rewarding. Exhilarating. An experience not to be missed. Seasons generally last from seven to ten days with a minimum of two performances. The choir worked closely with guest conductor Dr Liz Scott [Sydney] on a variety of music, the central piece being the hauntingly beautiful Frank Martin Mass for Double Choir. Presentations on vocal pedagogy and vocal coaching were provided by artistic director Noel Ancell OAM. Videos of their finale concert performance at Government House Ballroom, Perth can be found here.
What's in it for me?
Here are a few things that singers have gained from past seasons:
The opportunity to work with world-renowned conductors and musicians. Improved sight-reading. Stronger ensemble skills. The thrill of presenting concerts of an excellent standard after only a few days of rehearsal. Forming new friendships with interesting and talented musicians across Australia. Experiencing a different city. Improved vocal technique from our vocal coaches. New warm up and rehearsal techniques for conductors and teachers.
Recent NYCA singers have had the opportunity to work closely with big names in the music industry, such as David Hill, John Rutter, Warren Trevelyan-Jones, Dr Elizabeth Scott, Noel Ancell, Henry Choo, Carl Crossin and many more!
How much does it cost?
The Fee for the 2023 NYCA Season is $1200. This figure changes season to season.
All places in the choir are subject to audition, and successful applicants pay a deposit of $200 to secure their place. The balance is then paid in full or by payment plan by 31 May each year. Please note that if the season is cancelled due to a pandemic or associated restrictions, season fees will be fully refunded.
All places in NYCA are heavily subsidised and include sheet music you can keep, accommodation and most meals. Flights are not included, which is one reason that NYCA seasons move around the country from year to year.
Singers have successfully asked their workplaces (non-music and music related (churches, schools, etc.) to partly subsidise their season fees as NYCA falls under professional development for musicians. Singers have also sourced money from family, teachers, and friends through crowdfunding.
This website also provides a list of different funding opportunities as well. Funding for musicians: music grants
How do I get my music?
Some of the music will be available online prior to the season to help you with familiarisation; however, a set of hard copies will be handed out on the first day. Some music may be required to be returned if on loan from a music library. Full details of the season will be available on the NYCAns password-protected page which is updated as information becomes available. Our conductors expect that singers will study the music before the season, familiarising themselves with both lines if their part is split.
Where will I be staying?
Each season is different, but as always, the 2024 season is fully residential with great food, accommodation and facilities. We will be staying in the University College Melbourne, located centrally for easy access to the CBD, nightlife, and the airport.
What's the audition like?
In your ZOOM audition, you will be required to do the following:
(A) Sing a short, lyrical song of your choice. Please choose a song that illustrates:
the quality of your voice
your overall musicianship (phrasing, clarity of diction and other expressive qualities).
your range and voice type
your pitch reliability
The song should be performed unaccompanied irrespective of whether it has a written accompaniment or not.
(B) Sing a major scale (ascending and descending more than one octave) that clearly demonstrates your effective range.
(C) Sight Reading. You will need to sing two short, contrasting examples: both will be sent to you by email approximately 10 minutes before your audition, allowing you time to prepare the pieces. This element should be sung unaccompanied.
Auditions last approximately 15 minutes.
Audition Tips!
Never auditioned before or looking for a refresher?
1. Warm up wisely especially if your audition is in the morning. We want to get a gauge of your best singing voice.
2. Choose the right piece to demonstrate your best musical qualities. It can be anything from a vocalise to an aria.
3. Practice your sight singing. Search for pieces daily and sing your line through without stopping - you will make mistakes, and that’s ok. Try to include articulation and dynamics. How well can you find your way back after losing track? Your sight-reading will be sent to you 10-15mins before your audition, so use this time to look over tricky rhythms, key signatures, problem points, and sing it through a few times to be confident during the audition.
4. Try to act naturally. The panel will be open to conversation and we are hoping you will succeed just as much as you are!