County Auditions

Auditions for the Northamptonshire County Music Ensembles and Young Actors’ Company are open to young musicians, singers, and actors in full‑time education in Northamptonshire. Applications are also welcome from gap‑year students and those living in neighbouring counties. 

Auditions take place every July at our building on Kettering Road, Northampton. Applications for 2026 are open from Monday 27th April to Friday 22nd May.

Auditions are free to attend. Membership of a County Ensemble is subject to a subscription fee. Further details about payments and financial support can be found on our payments page.

Our County Ensembles page has more information about each group. Please note that auditions are for all opportunities related to your instrument or voice, rather than for a specific ensemble. 

New for 2026! – Group Auditions

Group auditions are a new option for 2026 designed to be supportive and welcoming, aimed at new applicants, playing at Grade 4 or equivalent and below. See here for guidance.

Students will be given a piece of music in advance, which they will rehearse and perform together as part of an ensemble during the audition.

It includes ensemble sight‑reading, helping us understand how students listen, respond, and play with others.

Throughout the audition, teaching staff will be present and playing alongside students, offering guidance and encouragement. This helps create a relaxed, less formal environment, allowing students to perform with confidence and enjoy making music together.

Individual Auditions

Individual auditions are designed for existing County Ensemble members or new applicants of any standard; those working towards Grade 4 equivalent standard may wish to apply for a group audition as an alternative (see above).

Before applying, please check the departmental requirements below, which outline the expected standard and how to prepare. Members of County Ensembles are expected to continue regular instrumental or vocal tuition. Existing members must re‑audition each year. 

Each department has its own audition criteria, shown in the tabs below. Please read these carefully and discuss them with your teacher or conductor when preparing for your audition.

For more information on what to expect during your audition, please take a look at the following documents:

Audition requirements

Current County Ensemble members
  • The audition will consist of an own choice piece that reflects your current ability
  • Your piece should not exceed 6 minutes and will be unaccompanied
  • You will be asked to play extracts from your current County Ensemble repertoire
  • There will also be a short piece of sight reading
New candidates
  • The audition will consist of an own choice piece that reflects your current ability
  • Your piece should not exceed 6 minutes and will be unaccompanied
  • There will also be a short piece of sight reading
  • Please check with your teacher if you are of an appropriate standard to audition

Classical Guitar

Students are encouraged to audition if they are playing at Grade 2 level or above (ABRSM or Trinity). It is not necessary for students to have taken a formal grade exam; their playing standard is what matters most.

Our guitar ensembles read from standard notation and perform repertoire that sits comfortably within each student’s technical level. There is a strong emphasis on good posture and healthy playing technique. All students are expected to play using either a footstool or a guitar support.

For the audition, students should prepare one performance piece that best represents their current level of playing. This does not need to be a particularly difficult piece—choosing something that can be played confidently and musically is strongly encouraged.

Auditions should be performed on a standard classical guitar fitted with nylon strings.

Scale Requirements

Each candidate will be asked to perform:

  • One major scale and
  • One minor scale (harmonic or melodic)

appropriate to their current level of study. Candidates may choose the key.

In addition, students may be asked to play a chromatic scale, beginning on any note, over one, two, or three octaves, depending on their ability.

Ensemble Placement and Instruments 

Successful candidates will be placed in the ensemble that best matches their playing standard and experience.

NMPAT has a small number of high‑quality loan instruments that may be available where needed. If access to an instrument would be helpful, please contact  NMPAT Professional Services Hub at offce@nmpat.co.uk to discuss availability.

Electric and Bass Guitar

Electric guitarists interested in auditioning for jazz groups should see the jazz audition requirements below.

All candidates
  • The audition will consist of an own choice piece, which should not exceed 5 minutes in length, and a piece of sight reading
  • It is important that the own choice piece accurately reflects the playing ability of the candidate
  • In addition, candidates may be asked to do other simple exercises to help the panel build a full picture of a player’s ability
  • Places will be offered on the basis of performance at the audition

Current County Ensemble members:

  • The audition will consist of an own choice piece that reflects your current ability
  • Your piece should not exceed 6 minutes and will be unaccompanied
    • If required, you can make cuts, miss out repeats, or choose to play selected sections of a piece
  • You will be asked to play extracts from your current County Ensemble repertoire
  • There will also be a short piece of sight reading

New candidates:

  • The audition will consist of two own choice pieces that reflect your current ability
  • Your pieces should not exceed 8 minutes combined and will be unaccompanied
    • If required, you can make cuts, miss out repeats, or choose to play selected sections of a piece
  • There will also be a short piece of sight reading

We recommend that all students choose a piece that they are comfortable playing, as they will give a much better impression by choosing a piece at their current level rather than trying to attempt a harder piece.

Jazz Drum Auditions:

Your brush technique will be assessed through your chosen repertoire, ensemble repertoire or sight reading

Current County Ensemble members
  • The audition will consist of own choice pieces on snare drum, tuned percussion and timpani
  • You can choose to play your choice of drum kit piece if you would like, in addition to the above
  • It is important that all pieces chosen reflect your playing ability accurately
  • All candidates will be asked to sight read a piece on one or more instruments
New candidates
  • The audition will consist of own choice pieces on snare drum and drum kit
  • You may like to offer additional pieces on tuned percussion and/or timpani
  • It is important that the pieces chosen by the candidate accurately reflect their playing ability
  • All candidates will be asked to sight read a piece on one or more instruments
  • The minimum standard for all new candidates is Trinity College London grade 2 in either orchestral percussion or drum kit, or grade 4 Rock School drum kit

Current County Ensemble members 

Please prepare: 

  •  one graded piece (max length 4 minutes) you are happy to play unaccompanied 
  • The selected scale and arpeggio (see table) of the same grade level 
  • You will also be asked to play a short piece of sight-reading 

New candidates 

Please prepare: 

  •  Two contrasting pieces of the same grade you are happy to play unaccompanied. These must not exceed a total of 8 minutes 
  • The selected scale and arpeggio (see table) of the same grade level 
  • A short piece of sight-reading 

 Guidance for All Candidates 

Please tune and warm up before your audition so you are ready to start. 

  • The lists below provide a minimum expected standard for each age group – you need to play a piece from at least the level for your age bracket, or a higher level 
  • Your piece and scales all need to be of the same level/ age category 
  • When presenting longer pieces you should be prepared to play the whole piece or sections drawn from any part of the piece, though you can suggest sections to the panel. 
  • You must be able to perform your chosen piece to exam pass standard to have it marked at that level. Please make sure you choose repertoire you can perform confidently and fluently. 
  • Desking in ensembles may be flexible, informed by sectional tutors, attendance and commitment to help students reach their full potential.  

Sight Reading 

This year strings students from level 1-3 will be offered our new duet sightreading model, athough candidates are welcome to stick to the standard solo option. 

The Duet model is intended to support our students’ confidence and simulate ensemble playing. 

Level 1-2 Duet Model (for Level 3 Students will have the same model, without step 1.) 

Step 1. Students will hear the excerpt played once by a member of their panel 

Step 2. The student and panellist will play the excerpt together  

Step 3. The student will play the same part again, accompanied by the panellist playing a different part. 

Guidance documents

Preparing Your Solo

Please prepare a short solo song that you are comfortable performing. You may choose from our suggested repertoire list (linked here, organised by age and singing level), or select a piece of your own choice that best reflects your ability.

Your song can be performed with or without accompaniment. Whilst we will endeavour to provide a pianist, this may not always be possible for every auditionee, so please be prepared to perform unaccompanied if necessary. Backing tracks from YouTube or Spotify may be useful for your preparation at home. If you are hoping to perform with piano accompaniment, please bring your sheet music on the day.

If you need any support with repertoire or preparation, please contact Wendy Dawn Thompson, Head of Vocal Studies: WDThompson@nmpat.co.uk

What to Expect on the Day

All singers will take part in the following:

  • Solo song performance — the piece you have prepared
  • Vocal exercises led by a panellist at the piano, used to assess aural skills and vocal range.
  • A conversation with the panel
  • Sight-reading — a short, unseen passage of music performed with or without support from the panel

NMPAT Singers

For singers at approximately Grades 1–5. More experienced singers may be invited to join the County Chamber Choir. 

County Youth Choir

For singers at approximately Grades 6–8.

Guys & Dolls

A small ensemble exploring Musical Theatre repertoire, run alongside the County Youth Choir. Whilst places in this group are offered by invitation only, you will be welcome to express your interest in consideration at your audition. 

Current County Ensemble members
  • The audition will consist of an own choice piece that reflects your current ability
  • Your piece should not exceed 6 minutes and will be unaccompanied
    • If required, you can make cuts, miss out repeats, or choose to play selected sections of a piece
  • You will be asked to play extracts from your current County Ensemble repertoire
  • There will also be a short piece of sight reading
New candidates
  • The audition will consist of two own choice pieces that reflect your current ability
  • Your pieces should not exceed 8 minutes combined and will be unaccompanied
    • If required, you can make cuts, miss out repeats, or choose to play selected sections of a piece
  • There will also be a short piece of sight reading

We recommend that all students choose a piece that they are comfortable playing, as they will give a much better impression by choosing a piece at their current level rather than trying to attempt a harder piece.

Additional information for Jazz Saxophone students:

In addition to the above requirements, any saxophone student (new or existing) wishing to be considered for a jazz group will be asked to perform a short improvisation.

Beginner & intermediate players:

Improvise a 12-bar blues in Concert F:

  • Alto/Baritone: D – F – G – G# – A – C – D
  • Soprano/Tenor: G – Bb – C – C# – D – F – G

Advanced players:

  • Prepare and perform two choruses of Autumn Leaves (in Concert G)

All candidates
  • All applicants should be over 13 years of age on 31 August 2025
  • All applicants, including current members of Young Actors Company and NMPAT Youth Theatre, are invited to take part in a workshop audition on Saturday 5th July
  • The workshop will include a drama warm-up, improvisation workshop followed by an individual audition
  • All applicants will be expected to prepare and perform a scripted piece from a recognised writer – either a dramatic monologue, or a duologue
  • Please note that there is a time limit of 2 minutes

All instrumentalists and vocalists are invited to audition for the county global folk-fusion ensemble, Zingaresque.  Members are usually also members of other County Ensembles.

The audition will consist of an opportunity to perform on your principal instrument and demonstrate your interest in the collaborative process of building music from diverse musical influences.

Participants will also be given a short exercise in playing by ear.

If you wish to be considered for a Zingaresque audition, please indicate where required on the audition application form.

Financial Support

NMPAT are committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to participate in the arts.  Find out how we can help support you and your family.

Coming Up

Big Sing

May 20 @ 18:30

Big Sing

May 21 @ 18:30

Chamber Concert

June 20 @ 18:00