National Youth Wind Ensemble of America

The National Youth Wind Ensemble of America (NYWE) is excited to announce its inaugural season in 2020. Following a comprehensive audition process, the NYWE will consist of the nation’s premier young wind, brass, and percussion performers. These incredible musicians will spend a week in the nation’s capital, with daily rehearsals led by 2020 guest conductors Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the 28th Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and Dr. Kevin Sedatole, Director of Bands at Michigan State University. Students will also receive mentorship from members of the top Washington D.C. area bands, tour the national monuments, experience military band performances at the capital, and attend the Evening Parade. The 2020 experience will culminate in a performance in the historic Warner Theater in Washington D.C. on June 20, 2020.

The National Youth Wind Ensemble of America is made possible by the Global Initiative for Talented Students (G.I.F.T.S.), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing talented students in academia, the arts, and athletics with opportunities to study or expand an area of interest and in collaboration with Perform America - TX,LLC a company specializing in performance-based tours in which all travel arrangements will be organized for the National Youth Wind Ensemble.

For more information, please visit http://giftsmovement.org.

The National Youth Wind Ensemble (NYWE) invites wind, brass, and percussion musicians from across the country, ages 16-19, to participate in its inaugural season in 2020. Application materials must be submitted online through the digital audition platform, Acceptd.

To begin the process, you must create an Acceptd account. If you already have an existing account, you can create a new application through this account. Once your account has been created, you can begin the application process for the NYWE and save your progress at any point. We recommend that you allow adequate time to record, upload, and review your materials to be certain that your application is indicative of your musical and personal achievements.

Commonly Asked Questions

Timeline

August 1, 2019: Application officially opens
January 1, 2020: Application and Recommendation Deadline
January 15, 2020: Applicants notified of status via email
March 1, 2020: Audition excerpts for chair placement posted for 2020 NYWE
June 16, 2020: NYWE Begins with Welcome Ceremony and Auditions in Washington, D.C.
June 20, 2020: NYWE Concert in Warner Hall, Washington D.C.

Contact

For questions, please email NYWE@giftsmovement.org

Application

Resume

Please include a current resume that lists your personal, academic, and musical achievements, including a list of performed solo repertoire.

Headshot

Please include a current photo.

Biographical Essay

In 500 words or less, introduce yourself, describe your musical experiences, and detail how participation in the first NYWE would impact your life and your community.

Recommendations

Each application requires two required recommendations. Each reference will receive a link to an online recommendation form after you submit your completed application. The confidential form, sent directly from Acceptd, must be filled out by your reference by January 1. Recommended References would include your band directors, music teachers, private lesson instructors, and professionals that can attest to your ability, professionalism, and character.

Audition Videos

All applications to the NYWE are required to record an audition video that meets the criteria and content requirements below. Each required selection must be recorded in one complete take, with no editing (though you should select the best of several takes), and both requirements should then be combined into a single video. Professional recording equipment is not necessary and audition videos may be recorded using smartphones. Percussion – see video requirements for specifics

Video Requirements

Introduction

State your name, instrument, hometown, school, and introduce your two recorded segments.

Two Contrasting Solos or Etudes

Each solo or etude must not be longer than 3 minutes. If a selection is longer than three-minutes, you may record an unedited three-minute selection from a longer work. You may also include a recent performance, but your spoken introduction must be recorded separately. A work with accompaniment is strongly preferred.

Percussionists must submit a solo or etude for the following instruments, for a total of 3:

Snare Drum
Keyboard instrument of choice
Marimba/Xylophone/Vibraphone
Timpani

Video Guidelines

Your audition video is one of the most important components of your application to the NYWE. Discuss your audition video with your music teachers, to make sure that you have adequate equipment and space. If you need additional assistance, please contact the NYWE staff at nywe@giftsmovement.org. We want to make sure that you are able to successfully record your audition. For questions about video uploads, please contact Acceptd technical support from within your NYWE application.

Video Tips and Suggestions

Film in Landscape and consider your lighting and camera placement. Use a well-lit location that is free from possible interruptions. Place the camera so that you, your instrument, and your full range of motion are in the frame at all times. If you’re using an accompanist, we would like to see all performers at all times. It is also imperative that your face is visible at all times throughout the performance.
Test the audio so that the loudest portions of your audition are not distorted and the softest parts of your audition are still clearly audible. If possible, consider using an external microphone, which can be connected to your camera to record.
Prior to recording your audition video, make sure your instrument is clean and in proper playing condition. It is recommended that you have your music teacher and/or private instructor examine your instrument prior to recording.
Other than stopping/starting the camera between your segments (Recorded spoken introductions, Solo Excerpt 1, Solo Excerpt 2), no editing of the audio or video is permitted. Applicants that display evidence of editing will be automatically disqualified.
Video files are submitted through Acceptd - acceptable video formats are available here.