THE NEW YORK POPS - KIDS ON STAGE 2025

The New York Pops' Kids on Stage program is part of the PopsEd portfolio of music education experiences for New York City students. It is a FREE comprehensive program that provides middle school orchestra and band students access to the professional performance process from the first audition to the final note.

Rehearsals are led by Brian Worsdale (Director, Kids on Stage), with the experience culminating with a performance on stage at Carnegie Hall alongside The New York Pops musicians at our annual Birthday Gala, led by New York Pops Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke!

We are also thrilled to continue our Conducting Apprenticeship program, giving up to four (4) lucky high school junior and/or senior music students the chance to study the many facets of conducting, learn from master teachers, as well as observe and participate in rehearsals.

Following an application and audition process, 22 student musicians, and up to four (4) conducting students, will be selected to participate in:

• Four sectional/large group rehearsals with TNYP musicians and PopsEd Teaching Artists, including one led by New York Pops Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke.
• Dress rehearsal and Gala performance alongside The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall (note: Conducting Apprentices will observe dress rehearsal and attend the performance)
• Interviews for the opportunity to be awarded one of 24 scholarships to French Woods Festival for the Performing Arts summer camp.

Conducting Apprentices may also receive additional evening masterclasses via Zoom (dates TBD), covering topics such as beat patterns, score reading, score study, conductor observations, and interviews with conductors and educators.

IMPORTANT DATES

Applicants must be available on the following dates:

• Auditions – Sunday, February 9, 2025
• Group Activity – Friday, March 14, 2025
• First rehearsal - Sunday, March 23, 2025
• Second rehearsal - Sunday, March 30, 2025
• Third rehearsal – Sunday, April 6, 2025
• Fourth rehearsal - Sunday, April 13 (Steven Reineke), 2025
• Fifth rehearsal – Sunday, April 27, 2025
• GALA rehearsal and performance - Monday, April 28, 2025 (students will need to be released from school early to attend dress rehearsal at Carnegie Hall)

The application period for Kids on Stage opens on Monday, November 4, 2024. 

Note: all applicants are required to invite a music teacher or mentor to submit a Letter of Recommendation via the Acceptd portal.

The application deadline is Friday, December 20, 2024. Parent/guardian consent is required.

There are no application or participation fees for Kids on Stage.

Auditions

The New York Pops will notify applicants on whether or not they will be allocated an audition on Monday, January 13, 2025. Those deemed eligible to audition will then be able to select an audition time. Audition requirements will be made available to all eligible applicants.

The auditions will be held at PianoPiano Studios in Manhattan on Sunday, February 9, 2025.

Audition Results

Audition results will be released during week commencing Monday, February 17, and will not be available over the phone.

If you have any technical issues during the application process, visit the Acceptd Help Desk.

Should you have any questions about Kids on Stage or the Conducting Apprenticeship, please don’t hesitate to contact Analisa Bell, Education and Operations Manager, analisa.bell@nypops.org