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.

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.

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.

How well do you know orchestral music? 🎻 Try to outguess Prince in this challenge! 👀 #guessthesong

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How well do you know orchestral music? 🎻 Try to outguess Prince in this challenge! 👀 #guessthesong

That build keeps you guessing… 😲

The Orchestra performs Wagner’s Overture to The Flying Dutchman with conductor @alexandrebloch at BBC Proms 2024.

This summer we’ll be back at the BBC Proms, taking you on a cosmic journey, through Star Wars, The Planets and Caroline Shaw’s The Observatory.

Go Beyond with The National Youth Orchestra this August....

🪐 Advanced tickets are still available for our first ever Relaxed Prom on 10 August with @tessjacksonconductor

🪐 1000 day promming tickets will be available for our evening performance on 9 August with @daliastasevskaofficial

🪐 Join us at Birmingham Symphony Hall @bmusic_ltd on 6 August and @snapemaltings on 8 August

@bbcradio3 #bbcproms

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That build keeps you guessing… 😲

The Orchestra performs Wagner’s Overture to The Flying Dutchman with conductor @alexandrebloch at BBC Proms 2024.

This summer we’ll be back at the BBC Proms, taking you on a cosmic journey, through Star Wars, The Planets and Caroline Shaw’s The Observatory.

Go Beyond with The National Youth Orchestra this August....

🪐 Advanced tickets are still available for our first ever Relaxed Prom on 10 August with @tessjacksonconductor

🪐 1000 day promming tickets will be available for our evening performance on 9 August with @daliastasevskaofficial

🪐 Join us at Birmingham Symphony Hall @bmusic_ltd on 6 August and @snapemaltings on 8 August

@bbcradio3 #bbcproms

Ready for an unforgettable cosmic journey? 🛸🎶😮

This August, feel the force as 160 teenage musicians bring the most epic music from Star Wars to life. Launch into the cosmos with @carolineadelaideshaw’s The Observatory. Orbit the solar system with Holst’s The Planets. 🪐

Experience Beyond live in Birmingham, Suffolk and London. Book now and prepare for lift-off. 🚀

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Ready for an unforgettable cosmic journey? 🛸🎶😮

This August, feel the force as 160 teenage musicians bring the most epic music from Star Wars to life. Launch into the cosmos with @carolineadelaideshaw’s The Observatory. Orbit the solar system with Holst’s The Planets. 🪐

Experience Beyond live in Birmingham, Suffolk and London. Book now and prepare for lift-off. 🚀

Keep watching… 😂🎶

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Experience a cosmic journey like no other at the iconic @royalalberthall!

With music by John Williams 👀... 🚀 Caroline Shaw 🔭 and Gustav Holst 🪐

✨ 9 August 7pm - Proms with @daliastasevskaofficial *update* advance 🎟️ sold out
️✨ 10 August 11am - Relaxed Proms with @tessjacksonconductor

Book now via the Proms website.

🎶📽️ The Orchestra perform Mahler Symphony no. 1 with conductor @alexandrebloch at the BBC Proms 2024.

#BBCProms @bbcradio3

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Experience a cosmic journey like no other at the iconic @royalalberthall!

With music by John Williams 👀... 🚀 Caroline Shaw 🔭 and Gustav Holst 🪐

✨ 9 August 7pm - Proms with @daliastasevskaofficial *update* advance 🎟️ sold out
️✨ 10 August 11am - Relaxed Proms with @tessjacksonconductor

Book now via the Proms website.

🎶📽️ The Orchestra perform Mahler Symphony no. 1 with conductor @alexandrebloch at the BBC Proms 2024.

#BBCProms @bbcradio3

NYO clarinettist Tom takes on the Guess the Song challenge - can you keep up? 👀🎶

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NYO clarinettist Tom takes on the Guess the Song challenge - can you keep up? 👀🎶

This could be you! 🙌

Epic performances. Amazing conductors. Iconic venues. Are you a teenager playing an orchestral instrument at advanced level? Join the Orchestra of 2026 and experience the thrill of performing extraordinary orchestral music with people your age.

Apply by Monday 19 May.

🎶 You’re watching the Alpine Symphony by Strauss performed live by the Orchestra of 2024 and conductor Sir Mark Elder at London’s @barbicancentre.

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This could be you! 🙌

Epic performances. Amazing conductors. Iconic venues. Are you a teenager playing an orchestral instrument at advanced level? Join the Orchestra of 2026 and experience the thrill of performing extraordinary orchestral music with people your age.

Apply by Monday 19 May.

🎶 You’re watching the Alpine Symphony by Strauss performed live by the Orchestra of 2024 and conductor Sir Mark Elder at London’s @barbicancentre.

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NYO is about so much more than being in a top-level orchestra. It’s a way for us to spread music to as many people as possible, who otherwise might never experience the power and beauty of classical music.

Alice

— Violin

Some of my most memorable experiences in music come from playing with other musicians.

Patrick

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

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

When you play, it takes you away from difficulties in life

Prince, cello

the experience of NYO over the past three years has been life changing for me. I always come back energised from any NYO course, with a renewed sense of purpose and self confidence.

Robert

— Horn

Being able to learn from other people your age is so important

Andrew

I’ve never been part of NYO before and I had a really great time [on the Spring residency], especially meeting young musicians from around the country.

Jacqueline

— Cello