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.

It’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.

Join NYO Inspire
Join the Orchestra

Taking on challenges

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

It’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. It’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.

Join NYO Inspire
Join the Orchestra

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 people’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 – 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.

goosebumps all the way 🥹🫶 Somewhere from West Side Story 🎶

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goosebumps all the way 🥹🫶 Somewhere from West Side Story 🎶

Can you hear 1950s New York? 🏙️

Symphonic Dances from West Side Story includes some familiar tunes like Somewhere, Mambo and Cool. 🎶

The National Youth Orchestra performed the piece live as part of last year’s @roundhouseldn Three Sixty festival, with conductor, @alpeshconductor.

⏯️ Full performance now streaming on NYO’s YouTube channel

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Can you hear 1950s New York? 🏙️ Symphonic Dances from West Side Story includes some familiar tunes like Somewhere, Mambo and Cool. 🎶 The National Youth Orchestra performed the piece live as part of last year’s @roundhouseldn Three Sixty festival, with conductor, @alpeshconductor. ⏯️ Full performance now streaming on NYO’s YouTube channel

Moments like this. 🙌 #wicked #orchestra #musicaltheatre

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Moments like this. 🙌 #wicked #orchestra #musicaltheatre

drop your guess ⤵️👀✨

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drop your guess ⤵️👀✨

Collide tour this Spring! ⚡️

Get swept away in the magical musical world Hisaishi created for Howl’s Moving Castle (Studio Ghibli). 🏰

Feel Tristan and Isolde’s poisoned love in Wagner’s unrelentingly tense masterpiece. ❤️

Live the fierce push and pull of heartbreaking conflict in Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. ⚔️

📍9 April @bridgewaterhall, Manchester
📍11 April @southbankcentre, London

🎟️ Free for Teens.

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Collide tour this Spring! ⚡️ Get swept away in the magical musical world Hisaishi created for Howl’s Moving Castle (Studio Ghibli). 🏰 Feel Tristan and Isolde’s poisoned love in Wagner’s unrelentingly tense masterpiece. ❤️ Live the fierce push and pull of heartbreaking conflict in Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. ⚔️ 📍9 April @bridgewaterhall, Manchester 📍11 April @southbankcentre, London 🎟️ Free for Teens.

THIS is an orchestra. 🙌

Did you know? British ice skaters ⛸️ Torvill and Dean won gold skating to this music at the 1984 olympics. 🥇

🎶 The National Youth Orchestra perform Boléro by Ravel

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THIS is an orchestra. 🙌 Did you know? British ice skaters ⛸️ Torvill and Dean won gold skating to this music at the 1984 olympics. 🥇 🎶 The National Youth Orchestra perform Boléro by Ravel
Hear from members of the Orchestra
Being at NYO is my favourite time of year.
India
— Violin
Some of my most memorable experiences in music come from playing with other musicians.
Patrick
It has helped me to take on a leadership role and have more confidence in myself.
Rebecca
— Viola
Some of my most memorable experiences in music come from playing with other musicians. Not only does NYO give you these opportunities, but it takes them all across the UK.
Andrew
When you play, it takes you away from difficulties in life
Prince, cello
If we were able to inspire anyone in the audience or at the schools’ workshops to take up a musical instrument, I think that is an incredible thing.
Alice
— Violin
We’re one big community. It’s important to share, teach and learn things from each other, whether that’s by talking or playing music.
Erika
— Flute
Being able to learn from other people your age is so important
Andrew

Stories from our musicians

More stories
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Nahuel, Bassoon

Anybody could be a really good orchestral musician.
  • Inspire Journeys
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Aki, Violin

At NYO, I’m able to share my enthusiasm and passion for music with people of my age and inspire and be inspired with others.
  • Orchestra Experiences
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Tara, Violin

I can be a different person in music because I feel a lot more comfortable.
  • Inspire Journeys
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Smera, Bassoon

After lockdown I really valued music so much more because I realised what life was like without music.
  • Inspire Journeys
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Toby, Horn

It is so great to share different knowledge and ideas with fellow musicians.
  • Orchestra Experiences
Michael playing trumpet at a rehearsal

Michael, Trumpet

NYO brings out my best self and allows me to become a better trumpet player and collaborator.
  • Orchestra Experiences
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Sana, Percussion

I want to open up orchestral music for my generation by taking part in projects in schools around the country, showing young people what NYO is and how orchestral music can be accessible to everyone.
  • Orchestra Experiences
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Prince, Double Bass

NYO Inspire was much more challenging than anything I’ve done.
  • Inspire Journeys
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Finn, Violin

Being part of NYO helps channel the part of me that loves performing and presenting and inspiring. I think there’s no better feeling than performing the music that you love to other people, and knowing that they are being inspired by it.
  • Orchestra Experiences
See more case studies