Contact Information

General Enquiries: 01865 987 222
Box Office: 01865 980 980
Email: [email protected]

Young Artists’ Platform

Perform as a soloist or small chamber ensemble in front of our Sheldonian Theatre audience. 

The Young Artists’ Platform offers invaluable opportunities for young soloists and chamber groups of no more than four players to gain real performance experience in one of Oxford’s most historic and renowned venues.

Showcasing Oxfordshire’s outstanding young talent


About Young Artist’s Platform

The Oxford Philharmonic Young Artists’ Platform is the perfect opportunity for you to gain performance experience in front of a live audience. In a 20-minute slot ahead of one of our main season concerts, talented young Oxfordshire musicians can take to the stage in the historic Sheldonian Theatre to hone their stagecraft and increase their confidence. Soloists will receive an award of £100 for their recital and each performer in a chamber ensemble will receive £50.

This season’s YAP performances will take place at 18:30 on Thursdays 23 November 2023, 11 April 2023 and 30 May 2024.

How to Apply

For the 2023/24 season, applicants must be residents or students in Oxfordshire and aged 19 or under on 31 August 2024, or an undergraduate or postgraduate student at the University of Oxford (any age). Applicants must play to Grade 8 standard or above.

Soloists and chamber groups of no more than four players can apply. All members of the chamber group must meet the eligibility criteria and submit separate applications.

Applications for the YAP 2023/24 are open. Fill in the form at the bottom of the page by Sunday 15 October.

Audition information

Sunday 29 October 2023, 10:00-17:00 at the Faculty of Music, St Aldate’s, Oxford OX1 1DB

Applicants will perform two contrasting pieces lasting  no longer than ten minutes in total. Movements and excerpts of longer works may be performed. Soloists may perform unaccompanied.

Musicians applying for both the Young Artists’ Platform and Side-by-Side programme will only need to audition once and should only fill in the Young Artists’ Platform form, ticking the box stating that you are also applying for Side-by-Side.

Auditions for these applicants will last 17 minutes and will consist of three components:

  • Two contrasting pieces with accompaniment lasting no longer than 10 minutes in total (these can be an movements or extracts of longer works)
  • Two orchestral excerpts provided 4 days in advance
  • Sight reading provided in the audition

If you have any questions, please contact Cayenna Ponchione Bailey (Side-by-Side Scheme Coordinator) or Will Emery (Education Officer).


Young Artists’ Platform

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If you are not a student in an Oxfordshire educational institution, please fill in your Oxfordshire address.

If you are under 18, please fill in details below of your parent/guardian.

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    If playing excerpts of longer works, please clearly indicate the start and end of the excerpt. If you are applying as part of a chamber group, you need only upload the score in one member’s application.

    Will you be providing your own accompanist?*