Join the Orchestra

Playing in NYO is the greatest adventure teenagers can have through playing and sharing music. You’ll soar in your musical development. Perform on iconic stages. Master new music and new ideas. And play your part as an inspirational changemaker for other young people.

Open a door to NYO

Are you ready for the greatest musical adventure of your life?

Imagine taking your seat in this cutting-edge orchestra, performing in amazing spaces, inspired by the awesome people around you and inspiring others too. It’s a challenge but we’ll support you every step of the way. It takes serious preparation but it’s seriously rewarding.

As part of the Orchestra you’ll find a place to shape your world through music. You’ll soar as a musician, discover new music and new ideas, and play your part as an inspirational role model for other young people.

Applications for the Orchestra of 2027 are open. Apply by 17 May.

About NYO

The Orchestra is at the heart of our community, celebrated internationally as ‘the world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers’.

Each year teenagers from across the UK unite through their love of music, ready to reach new musical heights, discover new skills and play their part as changemakers for their generation.

They play epic orchestral music, new music by diverse voices and shape shift into different ensembles.

A year-long adventure

Musicians take their seat in the Orchestra for the year, starting in October all the way through to August. It’s 40+ days of live activity including three full residencies and three nationwide tours.Musicians will also need to play their part as role models in up to six days of NYO Inspire activity. You’ll be asked to be available for as many dates as possible so that we can plan the best experience for you. 

At the start of the year, you’ll join together with musicians from your local area as part of NYO Unite. Throughout the year, you’ll play your part as a role model on NYO Inspire, perform in schools and youth spaces, take part in workshops, and share your passion for music with your local community through NYO Local.

Most of this activity happens during school holidays and occasionally at the weekends giving you plenty of time to play your part.

A year in NYO could look like this:

October

NYO Unite

Dive in with an epic day of music-making and unite with other musicians across the entire NYO community.

December/January

Winter residency

12 days of community spirit and finding your sound. Perform on tour in concert venues and schools.

February

NYO Inspire activity / Schools tour

Up to four days inspiring other teenagers. You’ll act as a mentor, playing alongside NYO Inspire musicians at a residential activity or perform to thousands of pupils on a school tour.

April

Spring residency

13 days to deepen connections and extend creativity – a project with a twist! Go on tour and perform in concert venues and schools.

June/July

NYO Local

Be a local hero and champion music at your local primary school.

July

NYO Inspire Summer Orchestras

Some Orchestra musicians are invited to support this vibrant project as a mentor.

July/August

Summer residency

14 days to embrace ultimate musical challenges and step up to iconic performance moments.

Who can join the Orchestra?

Is music your passion? Are looking to take on a new challenge? Then it’s time to play your part in the greatest musical adventure of your life and apply to join the Orchestra

Musicians will be playing at a level equivalent to Grade 8, but with no need for graded exams. You’ll be 13-18 years old, a British citizen or living or studying in the UK.

We welcome applications from musicians at secondary school, sixth form college, university and from those who are home-educated. We are not able to accept applications from those studying full-time at a college of music, or on a joint course with a college of music.

If you are playing at a level equivalent to grade 6+ (no exams needed) why not consider registering your interest in  NYO Inspire 2027? Come and join us, there’s a big part to play for everyone.

How to join

It’s free to apply and audition for the Orchestra.

We start from scratch every year so that we can build an orchestra of the UK’s most motivated teenage musicians. It’s a competitive process, but you’ll be supported and receive feedback every step of the way.

To apply you need to fill in an application form via the musicians’ portal. Simply log in if you’ve already got an account or create a new one if this is your first time using the portal. You will also need to upload your first-round video audition through your specific instrument excerpt which you can find here. Your application will then be reviewed by our musical team.

Successful candidates are invited to an in-person final round assessment day. You’ll play music with other musicians, take part in discussions and workshops and play your pieces and excerpts to the audition panel.

You will need to prepare a solo piece (or pieces) and orchestral excerpts for your video audition and for your solo audition at your final round assessment day. Orchestral excerpts are an important part of your auditions and are chosen so that you can demonstrate your exploration and understanding of orchestral music.

The whole process starts in March and culminates in September – see the timeline below.

Applications open

March

Application deadline

May

Video audition deadline

June

First round audition results

July

Final assessment days

September

Final audition results

End September

Cost and financial support

It’s free to apply and audition for the Orchestra. We aim to make sure money is never a barrier to getting involved.

We ask Orchestra musicians to make a contribution to the cost of their place in the Orchestra. But we understand that for some musicians, any contribution may be out of reach. That’s why we run a generous bursary scheme aiming to support where support is needed.

Frequently asked questions

How old do I need to be?

We accept applications from musicians aged, 13-18 years old.

If you don’t quite meet that age bracket, please email orchestra@nyo.org.uk and we may get in touch with you directly to invite you to take part in NYO Inspire projects.

Will I need to take time off school?

We try our best to schedule activity in the school holidays, but school holiday dates across the UK don’t always match up, which means sometimes our dates clash with some school activity. If you have to miss school and are having trouble getting time off, we are more than happy to talk to the school and send a letter of support if required.

Can I apply on more than one instrument?

Yes, you can select up to two instruments within your application if you want to.

Do I need to take graded exams?

There is no need to have taken any exams to be part of the NYO community, we refer to specific grades to give you a sense of the benchmark level.

If you are thinking of applying for the Orchestra, you will be playing at an advanced level equivalent to grade 8 or above. You can self-assess by taking a look at the music we play and see if they are about the right standard. If you need further guidance, you can email: orchestra@nyo.org.uk.

How much does it cost?

No musician will be limited from taking part in the NYO activity due to their financial means. There is a cost attached to being in the Orchestra, although The National Youth Orchestra is a charity so this amount is heavily subsidised thanks to our community of generous donors. Auditions and applications are free, and bursaries are available.

I want to apply for NYO & NYO Inspire, can I apply for both?

You don’t need to apply for both. If you’re eligible and you apply for the Orchestra and don’t get in, you will be offered opportunities to take part in NYO Inspire projects.

If you don’t think it’s the right time for you to apply for the Orchestra, please make sure you register your interest in NYO Inspire 2027.

What other opportunities are there if I don't get in to the orchestra?

We receive hundreds of applications for the Orchestra which means not everyone will get in. If you are not offered a place this time, it doesn’t mean your journey with NYO stops there.

The community of the Orchestra expands beyond the 160 musicians who will take their seat in the Orchestra. You may be offered a role in the Orchestra as an NYO Associate or Guest musician, playing your part by broadening your musical experience side by side the Orchestra, on residencies and through performance.

NYO Inspire is also a great way for you to continue accelerating as a musician. If you don’t get in to the Orchestra and you’re eligible, you will be offered opportunities to take part in NYO Inspire projects.