Western Balkans Youth Orchestra
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WBYO Accelerando
WBYO Accelerando is an EU-supported project to advance the Western Balkans Youth Orchestra (WBYO) development.
The Western Balkans Youth Orchestra (WBYO) is a groundbreaking initiative establishing an orchestra of young professionals from the entire Western Balkans. The WBYO seeks to unite the region's youth, breaking down barriers and fostering long-lasting peace, featuring genres from classical to pop and rock music.
The platform for young musicians will work across national, ethnic, religious, and cultural divides, contributing to ongoing cross-border and interethnic cooperation.
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Auditions Overview
WBYO collaborates closely with its local partners and audition organizers in all six non-EU countries of the Western Balkans.
Auditions are now open: join us this summer!
The WBYO Summer 2026 season offers a unique opportunity for talented young musicians to perform at a professional level, work with leading mentors, and take part in an international summer programme!
The selection process for the WBYO Summer 2026 season will take place through an online application, open from February 1 to April 30, 2026.
Lead with your passion, inspire with your music! Step into the spotlight as our Concertmaster and make this summer unforgettable.
Summer Tour: July 29 to September 14, 2026
The WBYO offers a rare opportunity for highly educated violinists to inspire young musicians on our upcoming summer tour. We are looking for an exceptional musician who brings outstanding technical skill, deep musicality, strong intuition, and natural leadership!
Who can apply
We welcome applications from all qualified musicians. Please note the following requirements:
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Applicants must be no older than 30 years on September 14, 2026.
What the Project Offers
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Participation in a full symphonic professional youth orchestra.
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Orchestra and chamber music masterclasses with renowned professional musicians from across Europe.
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An intense and inspiring experience within a close-knit international musicians’ community, with additional artistic and social activities throughout the project.
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Concert tours and residencies across the Western Balkans, Germany, and Belgium.
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Travel expenses fully covered to and from the orchestra residency.
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Hotel accommodation in double rooms, including breakfast.
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Daily meal allowances when meals are not provided by the organization.
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Scholarships awarded based on the orchestra position held.
Apply by April 30, 2026 and join an extraordinary musical journey!
How to apply
All interested applicants are invited to submit their application via application form. Please submit your application by April 30, 2026 and include the following:
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CV – detailing your musical experience, with emphasis on orchestral leadership and solo performance.
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Short statement – explaining why you are a strong candidate for this role. What unique qualities do you bring?
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Weblinks – to current recorded solo performances.
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Photo (minimum Full HD 1920 × 1080 px)
In addition, applicants must submit a one or more videos showcasing their highest technical quality including the following repertoire:
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Tannhäuser by Wagner – 1st violin part complete
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I pini di Roma by Respighi – 1st violin part complete (I pini di villa Borghese)
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Romanian Rhapsody by Enescu – from the beginning to rehearsal number 6
Please submit the video|(s) as an “unlisted” link (so only people with the direct link can view it) as part of your email application.
Join an international community of young musicians, play incredible repertoire, and experience the thrill of performing across Europe!
Who Can Apply
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Aged 16–27 by September 14, 2026
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From the non-EU Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia)
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Applicants from other Western Balkans countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Slovenia), other EU countries, and beyond are also welcome to participate in the WBYO orchestra project.
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High or advanced level of musical education
How to Apply
Step 1
Prepare Your Materials
Click on WBYO Orchestra Excerpts 2026. There you will find a detailed list of required pieces for each instrument, together with the sheet music.
Note: All orchestral excerpts featured are from the current concert programme, which will be performed in Summer/Autumn 2026.
Please prepare the following:
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Video recordings of the required repertoire
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CV in English (PDF or DOCX)
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Photo (minimum Full HD 1920 × 1080 px)
Video Requirements:
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Submit at least two separate videos (you are welcome to include more if you like):
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Required solo piece(s)
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Obligatory orchestral excerpts for your instrument
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Applicants (violinists) for the Leader position must include the additional required piece, for more details, click here.
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Solo recordings can be with or without accompaniment and must be no older than 9 months from the application deadline.
Please upload the videos as an “unlisted” link (so only people with the direct link can view it) as part of your application.
In addition, you can send your YouTube links to auditions@wbyo.org.
Step 2
Submit your application
Once all materials are ready, please apply here by April 30, 2026.
Results
The results of the WBYO Summer 2026 auditions will be published here in the news section.
Selected candidates will be notified within 15 working days after the application deadline.
All video submissions are carefully reviewed by WBYO Lecturers, with tutors consulting the conductor as needed to ensure a fair and thorough selection process.
The WBYO works closely with local partners and audition organizers across all six non-EU countries of the Western Balkans, as well as in other EU countries. These partners provide valuable guidance on applications from young professionals in their regions, and we deeply appreciate their collaboration.
Please note that individual feedback is not provided to applicants who are not selected.
Concerts Overview
Check out our concert calendar and join us for an unforgettable experience!
Discover. Your Path.
WESTERN BALKANS YOUTH ORCHESTRA - SUMMER TOUR 2025
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Auditions Overview
WBYO collaborates closely with its local partners and audition organizers in all six non-EU countries of the Western Balkans.
Auditions
The Musicians’ Selection Process of the Western Balkans Youth Orchestra
Dear young musicians,
Welcome to the audition website of the Western Balkans Youth Orchestra. We appreciate your interest in the WBYO!
WBYO works very closely with its local partners and audition organisers in all six non-EU countries of the Western Balkans and other EU countries. They are responsible for all suggestions regarding the application of young professionals from their countries, and we appreciate this collaboration very much.
The selection process for the WBYO summer 2025 season will be implemented through an online application process, which will take place from February 7 to April 27, 2025.
For a smooth and quick registration for the auditions, it is crucial that you read the conditions of participation (below) carefully.
First Round
First Round
All young music professionals born/originated between 01 January 1998 and 31 December 2009 in the non-EU Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) and holding a high/advanced level of musical education are invited to go through the application process for the WBYO Summer 2025 season.
Young professionals from other Western Balkans countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, and Slovenia) and from other EU countries are also strongly invited to submit their applications for the WBYO. The WBYO Accelerando project provides a panel of online auditions.
You must select the country of your birth as your Audition/Application Country.
As part of the first round of the online auditions, you will need to include a link to a Video Recording (click here for more information about the application processing and all requested Orchestral Parts) in your application (which you should upload to YouTube/Vimeo, as an “unlisted” video – do not choose the “public” or “private” setting). Deadline for the application’s submission is April 27, 2025.
You can also send your videos by email, sending us a wetransfer.com (or similar) link to auditions@wbyo.org.
All submitted videos will be judged by a specialist (selected by the WBYO) in your instrument.
There is one application form for all countries of the WB (and EU) to use.
Successful candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the first round, generally up to four weeks after the application deadline, that they will be invited to the final round.
Please note that it can take up to three weeks until the first-round results are sent out due to the possibly high number of candidates.
Second (Final) Round
Second (Final) Round
All successful candidates of the WBYO Summer 2025 season’s first audition round will be invited to send recordings of three selected parts of the current concert program of the Summer & Winter orchestra residencies within two weeks after the invitation. These videos can be sent via email to auditions@wbyo.org
The selected parts by will be presented here.
You will be heard by ONE experienced WBYO panel member for both audition rounds.
Our audition process is designed to ensure fairness across different instruments and countries. This is our highest priority. Your audition is only the first stage of our judging process, as an extensive moderation process follows it to guarantee fairness.
APPLY
APPLY
Candidates will be asked to include in their application a recording of a piece of their choosing (e.g. a movement from a concerto, sonata, etc., max. duration of 5 minutes) and ALL this year's WBYO Orchestral Extracts. The recording should be in one take and uploaded on YouTube (choose the "unlisted" option; no "public" or "private" video option). The candidates can also send a video link to auditions@wbyo.org.
NOTE: If there may have been an error while submitting your form, you can resubmit the application form.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the selection process work? Read more!
A "must read" before applying.
These rules and regulations apply to new applicants for the summer 2023 WBYO: All Summer & Winter 2024 Orchestra applicants must be aged between 16 and 27 (born between 01 January 1997 and 31 December 2008). All applicants should hold passports from one of the six non-EU countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina), Read more!
Audition recommendation and requirements
How can aspiring WBYO players be better prepared for an audition? We have asked ourselves this question, and we have come up with some help for you in the form of videos made by our tutors, in which some of the most troubling issues are dealt with. You will better understand how to prepare by looking through these resources. Read more!
Leader Application
Apply to be the Leader of the WBYO. The Western Balkans Youth Orchestra is searching for an orchestra leader for the Orchestra’s Summer & Winter 2024 seasons. Read more!
Media
Welcome to the Media Section of the Western Balkans Youth Orchestra (WBYO Accelerando)
Press Reports
Support Us
The Western Balkans Youth Orchestra (WBYO Accelerando) is supported by organizations, foundations, and individuals who are committed to contributing to ongoing cross-border and interethnic cooperation in the region, breaking down barriers and fostering long-lasting peace.
Our supporters in this journey
