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.

Join us for an unforgettable journey this winter. 🎶💫

Discover the colourful world of Debussy’s 💃 Iberia and the dazzling musical landscapes in Ravel’s ✨Rapsodie Espagnole. Adventure through @annaclynecomposer’s enchanting 🪄 DANCE and explore City Scenes 🏙, @karimalzand’s vibrant urban soundscape.

Play your part in the audience. Join us in London, Coventry and Nottingham this January.

Tickets are Free for Teens.

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Join us for an unforgettable journey this winter. 🎶💫

Discover the colourful world of Debussy’s 💃 Iberia and the dazzling musical landscapes in Ravel’s ✨Rapsodie Espagnole. Adventure through @annaclynecomposer’s enchanting 🪄 DANCE and explore City Scenes 🏙, @karimalzand’s vibrant urban soundscape.

Play your part in the audience. Join us in London, Coventry and Nottingham this January.

Tickets are Free for Teens.

🪵💨

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The Orchestra of 2026 are tuning in for a big year! 💫

From city to shore, town to countryside, teenage musicians from every corner of the UK are tuning in to the greatest musical adventure of their lives.

160 musicians. One cutting-edge orchestra. A shared love of music.

Stay tuned – the adventure starts now.

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The Orchestra of 2026 are tuning in for a big year! 💫

From city to shore, town to countryside, teenage musicians from every corner of the UK are tuning in to the greatest musical adventure of their lives.

160 musicians. One cutting-edge orchestra. A shared love of music.

Stay tuned – the adventure starts now.

tomorrow…..

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Behind the scenes in rehearsal with @jaime_martin_conductor. 🤩🎻

Adding flair to Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 🤠

🎥 Full performance from the Barbican available on our YouTube.

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Behind the scenes in rehearsal with @jaime_martin_conductor. 🤩🎻

Adding flair to Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 🤠

🎥 Full performance from the Barbican available on our YouTube.

The National Youth Orchestra illuminate the Barbican! 🤩🎶

Feel the power of 160 teenagers perform Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 with @jaime_martin_conductor, live from @barbicancentre last year.

💥 Full recording is now streaming on NYO’s YouTube channel.

Join NYO at the Barbican on Sunday 4 Jan for Shimmer. Tickets are on sale now, and free for teenagers. 🙌

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The National Youth Orchestra illuminate the Barbican! 🤩🎶

Feel the power of 160 teenagers perform Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 with @jaime_martin_conductor, live from @barbicancentre last year.

💥 Full recording is now streaming on NYO’s YouTube channel.

Join NYO at the Barbican on Sunday 4 Jan for Shimmer. Tickets are on sale now, and free for teenagers. 🙌

Classical? Not today 😎

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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

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

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

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

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

Prince, cello

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. Not only does NYO give you these opportunities, but it takes them all across the UK.

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