The NYO Adventure

Being part of The National Youth Orchestra is the greatest adventure teenage musicians can have through orchestral music.

Find out more about our unique approach to accelerating teenager development through the elements of community spirit, taking on challenges, playing their part and sharing their voices.

Community spirit

The NYO adventure is about teenagers from across the UK, representing regions and different backgrounds, making music together.

Itโ€™s about community spirit, seeing the best in each other and wanting the best for each other. Everyone contributes to a safe, happy and optimistic community.

Our pastoral Support Team and world class tutors encourage musicians with their expertise and knowledge. When musicians engage in a workshop, rehearse together, create music or perform they have the generous support and trust of the whole NYO community.

Taking on challenges

The adventure is about taking on exceptional musical challenges, sharing a common purpose and working for collective success.

Itโ€™s about getting behind the greatest orchestral music of all time, from masterworks to the most cutting-edge new voices, and seeking energy and excitement in musical performance. Itโ€™s about trying things out, making music in new ways, and pioneering new presentation of music. And it’s about finding new destinations – new locations, new audiences, and mediums.

Playing their part

We all know that music education is not equally available to all young people across the UK. Our musicians take action to do something about this, taking music and experiences to other young people in concert halls, primary and secondary schools and youth centres.

On the adventure musicians discover they are powerful role models, who can encourage other young peopleโ€™s musical curiosity and aspirations, and foster understanding, and wellbeing through music.

Sharing teenage voices

The adventure is fuelled by what matters to teenage musicians โ€“ the music they make, and the causes they back through the power of orchestral music.

They raise their voices to advocate for young people and their musical opportunities.

When Imperial March starts playingโ€ฆ and they actually show up. #StarWars
The trumpets strike back ๐ŸŽบ

Feel the power of Brass & Percussion in the finale of Star Wars: A New Hope ๐Ÿš€
Sound on ๐Ÿ”Š lightsabers at the ready...

Weโ€™re bringing epic music from Star Wars to life in Birmingham, Suffolk and London this August. Donโ€™t miss this cosmic journey. ๐Ÿช๐ŸŽถ
NYO Inspire schools tour 2025!ย ๐Ÿคฉ๐ŸŽถ๐ŸŽบ

Last week, thousands of school students across Devon experienced the massive power of orchestral music: โ€œIt gets your heart going. Just seeing how happy they were on stage. That alone makes it inspiring to me.โ€ย ๐Ÿ™Œ

NYO Inspire musicians went beyond to share music with other young people. Growing in confidence, pushing their musical boundaries and using new role-modelling skills to take a leading role in workshops across the tour. ๐Ÿš€

Are you ready to open up your world? Applications for NYO Inspire are now open. Itโ€™s free.
Epic music. Epic crowd. Letโ€™s goโ€ฆ. Beyond! ๐Ÿš€๐ŸŒŒ๐ŸŽถ

๐Ÿ“6 Aug, Birmingham Symphony Hall, @bmusic_ltd | Free for Teens
๐Ÿ“8 Aug Snape Maltings, @brittenpearsarts | Free for Teens
๐Ÿ“9&10 Aug BBC Proms
๐ŸŽง @bbciplayer & @bbctwo
*the Force left the chat* 

#starwars #orchestra #flute #viola
๐Ÿช Play your instrument in space!ย ๐ŸŽถโœจ 

Go on a cosmic journey Beyond with our new backgrounds, stickers and filters for Instagram and TikTok.

๐ŸŽฅย Share your performance videos from space, tag us and use #NYOBeyond. Youโ€™ll be in with a chance of winning your own personalised Beyond poster!ย ๐Ÿคฉ

Stories from our musicians