County Auditions

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

Our County Ensembles page has more information about each group, however auditions are for all the opportunities associated with your instrument or voice, rather than for a specific ensemble or group.

Before you apply, please check the requirements below – these may be different to last year – to see an outline of the standards expected in each department, and how to prepare.  Members of County Ensembles are expected to maintain regular instrumental or vocal tuition to enable continued personal improvement. Existing members are also required to audition each year.

Auditions are free to attend and membership of a County Ensemble is subject to a membership subscription.  More information about payments and financial support can be found on our payments page.

Audition process

Auditions take place at our building on the Kettering Road, Northampton, every July. The application process for 2025 launched on Monday 28th April. To secure an audition we recommend you apply as soon as possible, ideally before half term.

Each department has specific criteria which can be found in the tabs below, please read these carefully and discuss with your teacher/conductor to prepare 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

All students will be expected to audition on a classical guitar strung with nylon strings.  A footstool and music stand will be provided.

  • The audition will consist of an own choice piece that reflects your current ability
  • Your piece should not exceed 5 minutes and will be unaccompanied
  • Existing members will be asked to play extracts from their current County Ensemble repertoire
  • There will  be a short piece of sight reading for all candidates
  • You will also be asked to play the following scales:
    • Any major scale – two or three octaves scales, if able
    • Any harmonic minor scale – two or three octave scales, if able
    • A two octave chromatic scale starting on any note

Students will be place in the group where we feel they will be happiest and most suited.

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

Current County Ensemble members

Choose a song that you feel confident and comfortable singing. This can be any style and we recommend looking at the suggested repertoire linked below, depending on your age and singing level.

New candidates

Choose any song that you are comfortable singing.  This can be from the suggested linked below, or one of your own choice that best reflects your ability.

Guidance for all candidates

You can perform your audition with or without accompaniment and backing tracks can usually be found on YouTube to support your preparation. Please contact Wendy Dawn Thompson, Head of Vocal Studies, if you need any support: WDThompson@nmpat.co.uk

NMPAT Singers

Grades 1 to 5 (more experienced singers may be invited to join the Senior Chamber Choir)

County Youth Choir

Grades 6 to 8. We also run a chamber ensemble called ‘Guys & Dolls’ for those wanting to explore Musical Theatre repertoire. This is via invitation only so please let us know if you would like to be considered for this group.

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

Echoes of Windrush: Music Event

October 8 @ 18:00 - 21:00

Octubafest

October 12 @ 14:30

Music for Youth Proms

November 10