National Youth Wind Ensemble

The National Youth Wind Ensemble (NYWE) is excited to announce its second season in 2026. Following a comprehensive audition process, the NYWE will consist of the nation’s premier wind, brass, and percussion student musicians. These incredible musicians will spend a week in the nation’s capital, with daily rehearsals led by the 2026 guest conductors Lieutenant Colonel Ryan J. Nowlin, Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band; Jerry Junkin, Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin; and Kerry Taylor, Past President of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Educators Association. The NYWE experience will include daily coaching, mentorship, masterclasses, and rehearsals with professional musicians from the Washington, D.C. area. Participants will also enjoy a tour of national monuments and military barracks, attend performances by military bands at the Capitol, and take part in social and recreational activities around Washington, D.C. A highlight of the week will be attending the 2026 Twilight Tattoo Event—an action-packed military performance! The week will culminate in a performance in the historic Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., on June 13, 2026.

The NYWE 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 by Perform America-TX, LLC, a company that specializes in performance-based tours for groups of all ages run by former music directors and educators. All travel arrangements will be organized through Perform America – TX, LLC.

The National Youth Wind Ensemble (NYWE) invites wind, brass, and percussion student musicians from across the country, ages 16-19, to participate in its second season in 2026!

To begin the process, click the “APPLY NOW” button below to submit your application. We recommend that you allow adequate time to record, upload, and review your materials to be certain that your audition is indicative of your musical and personal achievements. Please reference application/audition checklist below.

All auditions are due October 1, 2025.

Commonly Asked Questions

Timeline

July 2025: Application officially opens
October 1, 2025: Audition Materials Deadline
November 1, 2025: Applicants notified of status via email/Acceptance Deposit Due
December 1, 2025: Trip Payments Begin
June 9, 2026: NYWE begins with Welcome Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
June 13, 2026: NYWE Concert in The Warner Theatre, Washington D.C.
June 14, 2026: Depart Washington D.C.

Application/Audition Checklist

1. Submit and pay application fee using the “APPLY NOW” button below
2. Receive email with link to submit all audition materials
3. Request recommendation letters
4. Practice and record audition material
5. Prepare Essay, Resume, and Headshot
6. Submit all audition materials prior to September 1, 2025

How do I apply?

To apply, a non-refundable audition/application fee of $60 must be paid through a payment portal called WeTravel. You must create a WeTravel account if you don’t have one already. Once the fee has been paid, the applicant will receive an email with a link to a Jotform. Through Jotform, the applicant will submit all audition requirements of the application for the NYWE. 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 prior to the October 1st deadline.

Are there any fees and/or costs to participate in the 2026 NYWE?

• Application/Audition Fee: $60; This fee is non-refundable for all applicants.
• Program Cost: Estimated at $2,115.00 (at quad occupancy); If selected, this cost includes lodging, meals, masterclasses, ground transportation, monument/museum tours, and all other activities that will be listed in a sample itinerary. We are working with donors/sponsors to assist with participants’ costs!
• Exclusion from Program Cost: Round-trip airfare; Participants must book their own round-trip airfare to/from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). The program will provide round-trip transportation from/to DCA. On June 9th, transportation will be provided from 10am – 3pm. On June 14th, transportation will be provided from 8am – 12pm. Flights arriving/leaving outside of this time window can utilize the hotel’s airport shuttle.

Application

Resume

Please include a current resume that lists your personal, academic, and musical achievements, including a list of performed solo repertoire. Your resume must be submitted in PDF format. The file name should be:

First letter of First name.Last name – Resume (ex: Joe Smith’s file name is J.Smith – Resume)

Headshot

Please include a current photo. Your headshot must be submitted in jpg, jpeg, or png format. The file name should be:

First letter of First name.Last name – Headshot (ex: Joe Smith’s file name is J.Smith – Headshot)

Biographical Essay

In 500 words or less, introduce yourself, describe your musical experiences, and detail how participation in this season’s NYWE would impact your life and your community. Your essay must be submitted in PDF format. The file name should be:

First letter of First name.Last name – Bio Essay (ex: Joe Smith’s file name is J.Smith – Bio Essay)

Recommendation Letters

Each audition submission requires two recommendation letters. There will be a place in your submission form where you can upload these letters. Letters must be submitted in PDF format. Each file name should be:

First letter of First name.Last name – Rec Letter # (ex: Joe Smith’s file name is J.Smith – Rec Letter 1 (or 2))

Recommended references would include your band directors, music teachers, private lesson instructors, and professionals who can attest to your ability, professionalism, and character as a musician.

Video Requirements

Audition Video

All applicants must submit an audition video that meets the criteria and content guidelines outlined below. Each required selection should be recorded in one complete take, without any editing (though you may choose the best of several attempts), and both segments with your introduction should then be combined into a single video. Professional recording equipment is not necessary—audition videos may be recorded using smartphones. Percussionists, please refer to the video requirements for specific details. You must submit the video file in either mpg, mp4, webm, mov, flv, avi, or ogg format. Alternatively, you may upload your video onto a private YouTube channel and paste the link to access the video. The file name should be:

First letter of First name.Last name – Audition Video (ex: Joe Smith’s file name is J.Smith – Audition Video)

INTRODUCTION

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

TWO solos/etudes

• Solos/etudes should be of contrasting styles, such as lyrical and technical.
• Each solo/etude must be no longer than 3 minutes. If a selection is longer than 3 minutes, you may submit an unedited three-minute portion from the larger selection.
• You may include a recent performance recorded in the last 12 months, but your spoken introduction must be recorded separately.
• A piece with accompaniment is strongly preferred.

Percussionists must submit a solo/etude for each of the following instruments, for a total of three solos/etudes:

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

Video Tips and SuggestionS

Parent/Audience Information

Where will my student be staying?
The hotel name and location will be shared once the ensemble personnel have been announced.

Can I stay at the same hotel as my student?
If your student is selected, you will then be able to contact the hotel and book a room for your family. This is subject to their availability at that time. All NYWE members will be placed in a room at quad occupancy.

Can I take my student on a separate excursion outside of what the NYWE offers?
All NYWE members must remain with the ensemble for the duration of the scheduled itinerary. The safety and well-being of your student is the number one priority of the NYWE staff. As a result, we have a strict attendance policy for all our members. If you would like to arrive a few days before or after the event to explore the city as a family, you are welcome to do so!

Where will the concert take place?
The week will culminate in a performance in the historic Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., on June 13, 2026. Tickets will be released to the public once the ensemble is announced.

Address: Warner Theatre, 513 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Watch the VideO