Sylvia Young Agency

[Lolalou]

Is anyone with this agency

[Genevieve]

auditions like this for young children are very relaxed and SY are one of the best agencies, your ds will enjoy himself, I would let him go there without worrying him what could/may happen, in case he spends the time waiting for it ! I think they have a group workshop, - but good to tell him to listen to any instructions and practice his song a few times.They may ask them to put their hand up if they want to sing a song, so tell him to put his hand up when they ask !!! The more strings he can show to his bow, the more attractive he'll be to take on !!! - They've told you about the sightreading, so he'll know thats going to happen. Wish you ds luck !

[Lolalou]

good advice...thank you.

[Genevieve]

it'll be a piece that won't be difficult for the age group, - they don't give them anything to prepare because this will separate who's really on the ball, and it does test the nerves and confidence.
Actually regarding the singing : They may not say anything about putting your hand up if you want to sing.,they may just say : "Does anyone want to sing a song? - So, ordinarily a 7 year old would probably stay silent,and just wait for someone else to volunteer ! ---- thats why listening skills play a huge part !

[Lolalou]

Just wanted to thank you Genevieve for your as usual helpful

[riverdancefan]

they do ask if anyone wants to sing - then it is up to the child to volunteer

I will say they are very well known for taking younger children on - as they cannot source them from the main school, so age 6,7,8,9, you might stand a chance - it is a very rare thing indeed for older kids especially lower teens to be taken on, in fact I have never known any not get a rejection letter, although I am sure there are some out there who are with the agency and not attending the school, or the Saturday school....I just don't know them.
If I had known exactly what our chances were of being taken on at DS's age I wouldn't have bothered...and tbh it has been the only agency audition we have attended where the stress was palpable, the kids were busy eying up the competition and the parents were too, I didn't enjoy the experience.

my friend who has a 7 year old DD with them is more than happy with them.
very good luck to him

[daisyjane]

My dd auditioned last week and has just been offered a place on the agency! My initial reaction was WAHEY! but after a night to cogitate on it I have begun to wonder whether she will get lost in the crowd at SY. Currently she is with a smaller agency (Byrons) who seem to be lovely although so far she hasn't had any castings (to be fair she's only been on their books for a few months). Does anyone have any pearls of wisdom??

[Tatty t]

My dd has been with the agency since 7 and now with full time school , i find the agency excellent - they really get to know your child and always put them up for things that are suitable , also you can ring them and ask them anything , i find them very approachable. i left a small agency to join SY and i have never looked back, They also get lots of jobs which are also just offered to sy.

[the mumster]

Do you think you are disadvantaged if you are not at the school?

[eleanorrigby66]

Hello, I'm new to NAPM but have lurked here for a while! Just a query about SYA... has anybody from here applied before? I sent an application for DD (age 7) recently but heard nothing back. Do they usually wait until certain times in the year to inform of auditions, or does this probably mean they're not interested?
DD's got some lovely theatre credits, so thought they'd have at least auditioned her!

(forgive me as well if I use the terms 'DD' and 'DS' wrong.... never quite got to grips with what they stand for!!)

[CatKat_0]

Dd = darling daughter. DS - darling son, Dc - darling children..... Etc

Sorry don't know anything about Sylvia Young agency - other then they have some incredibly talented children on their books and often land some really good roles.

Hope she does well.

[claret]

My 5yr old DS has a workshop audition ( or vice versa! ) on the the 10th July. He's been asked to tell an amusing story and sing a nursery rhyme. Genevieve & DaisyJane I'm really glad to hear it's more relaxed for the younger children. I'm really hoping he'll stick with what we've prepared but I have this strong feeling he'll make up a random improv on the day Anyway I'm hoping they are used to this and expect it from 5 year olds! I do think it is definitely more difficult to get into the agency past 10 or 11 yrs old if not at the full time or Sat school unless you are already known to them in some way. Also even harder for teens as there are fewer jobs available so naturally these would be offered to the school. As far as DS is concerned if he doesn't get in this time I think I'll try again in a year, by which time he'll have grown up a bit. He has a few years there's no rush. Will anyone else be there on the 10th?

[eleanorrigby66]

My 5yr old DS has a workshop audition ( or vice versa! ) on the the 10th July. He's been asked to tell an amusing story and sing a nursery rhyme. Genevieve & DaisyJane I'm really glad to hear it's more relaxed for the younger children. I'm really hoping he'll stick with what we've prepared but I have this strong feeling he'll make up a random improv on the day Anyway I'm hoping they are used to this and expect it from 5 year olds! I do think it is definitely more difficult to get into the agency past 10 or 11 yrs old if not at the full time or Sat school unless you are already known to them in some way. Also even harder for teens as there are fewer jobs available so naturally these would be offered to the school. As far as DS is concerned if he doesn't get in this time I think I'll try again in a year, by which time he'll have grown up a bit. He has a few years there's no rush. Will anyone else be there on the 10th?

Hmm, thanks for the info, sounds like we haven't got the audition then, that's a shame. DD''s currently got an agent, but I'd have really liked to have been with Sylvia Young. Good luck to your DS!

[claret]

Sorry EleanorRigby66 I haven't been on the site for a few days so I didn't see your reply. I meant to write when I posted that if you haven't been called this time do not give up submitting her details. They told me they have 3 workshops a year and if you don't get called it may be because they have too many similar kids in the same age group at that particular time. I would definitely re-submit at the end of August beginning of Sept. I think the next workshop would be around October.
It's what I intend to do if he doesn't get in this time, however, I'll probably leave it a year since DS is only 5 and may need a year to mature a bit.

[eleanorrigby66]

Hi Claret, thanks for your response! Funnily enough we've actually been emailed now and invited to audition. DD's quite disappointed that they want to hear a nursery rhyme instead of a 'real song' She'd had her heart set on singing 'Naughty'.

Just wondering now - and it's not really important at this stage since she hasn't been offered a place - but whether Sylvia Young Agency is the best option. DD's got an agent already who is reputable enough, and DD attends the classes there as well, so they know her. Would people say she's in a better position now being close to her agent like that, or is Sylvia Young best in all cases? I've always loved the sound of SY, but maybe it's unnecessary .