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.

To the Beat – that’s a wrap! 🤩🙌🎶

Last week, The National Youth Orchestra performed To the Beat in London, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Wigan and Manchester!

From youth centres and schools to train stations and museums, musicians from the NYO Community took music beyond the concert hall, acting as changemakers and inspiring audiences wherever they went.

“It was unbelievable, I was blown away... it inspires me to push myself.”

🎧 If you couldn’t be there in person, don’t miss the @bbcradio3 broadcast of our Manchester performance on Monday 28 April at 7.30pm!

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To the Beat – that’s a wrap! 🤩🙌🎶

Last week, The National Youth Orchestra performed To the Beat in London, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Wigan and Manchester!

From youth centres and schools to train stations and museums, musicians from the NYO Community took music beyond the concert hall, acting as changemakers and inspiring audiences wherever they went.

“It was unbelievable, I was blown away... it inspires me to push myself.”

🎧 If you couldn’t be there in person, don’t miss the @bbcradio3 broadcast of our Manchester performance on Monday 28 April at 7.30pm!

Apply now to join the Orchestra of 2026! 🙌

NYO violinist Penelope tells you about how she got inspired to apply and why you shouldn’t be worried about the audition process. ☺️🎶

At NYO, you’ll meet new friends from across the UK, gain confidence, discover new skills and push your limits. It’s an adventure you don’t want to miss and it’s FREE to apply.

Are you playing at Grade 8+ level? Submit your application by 19 May. Link in bio.

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Apply now to join the Orchestra of 2026! 🙌

NYO violinist Penelope tells you about how she got inspired to apply and why you shouldn’t be worried about the audition process. ☺️🎶

At NYO, you’ll meet new friends from across the UK, gain confidence, discover new skills and push your limits. It’s an adventure you don’t want to miss and it’s FREE to apply.

Are you playing at Grade 8+ level? Submit your application by 19 May. Link in bio.

To the Beat percussion practice 🪘🌟

.....inside the practice room with NYO percussionist, Lily and To the Beat soloist, Jordan Ashman. 🥁

The percussion section will take centre stage in Jennifer Higdon’s Percussion Concerto which you’ll hear on tour next week. The same piece Jordan won BBC Young Musician 2022 with!

Are you ready to experience the electrifying energy of To the Beat? The tour kicks off on Monday! 🤩

Tickets are Free for Teens - book yours today. 🙌

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To the Beat percussion practice 🪘🌟

.....inside the practice room with NYO percussionist, Lily and To the Beat soloist, Jordan Ashman. 🥁

The percussion section will take centre stage in Jennifer Higdon’s Percussion Concerto which you’ll hear on tour next week. The same piece Jordan won BBC Young Musician 2022 with!

Are you ready to experience the electrifying energy of To the Beat? The tour kicks off on Monday! 🤩

Tickets are Free for Teens - book yours today. 🙌

We go on tour on Monday! Are you ready for To the Beat? 🤩

The Orchestra are about to bring the drama of Petrushka and West Side Story to life and get lost in the rhythm of Jennifer Higdon’s Percussion Concerto.

Experience the unforgettable as The National Youth Orchestra takes you on a massive orchestral adventure in Birmingham, London, Sheffield and Manchester! 🎻🎶

“It’ll make your week, I promise you.” 🔥

Don’t miss a beat, secure your tickets now!

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We go on tour on Monday! Are you ready for To the Beat? 🤩

The Orchestra are about to bring the drama of Petrushka and West Side Story to life and get lost in the rhythm of Jennifer Higdon’s Percussion Concerto.

Experience the unforgettable as The National Youth Orchestra takes you on a massive orchestral adventure in Birmingham, London, Sheffield and Manchester! 🎻🎶

“It’ll make your week, I promise you.” 🔥

Don’t miss a beat, secure your tickets now!

Wait for it... listen out for a surprise instrument in the orchestra that you won’t see coming! 👀🔥

Get behind-the-scenes with the Orchestra as they rehearse Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, together with conductor Paolo Bortolameolli. 🥁🎺🎶

Hear it live in concert halls next week as we take To the Beat on tour:
📍14 April @bmusic_ltd, Birmingham Town Hall
📍15 April @roundhouseldn, London
📍16 April @sheffieldcityhall, Sheffield
📍18 April @bridgewaterhall, Manchester

Tickets are Free for Teens. Book now.

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Wait for it... listen out for a surprise instrument in the orchestra that you won’t see coming! 👀🔥

Get behind-the-scenes with the Orchestra as they rehearse Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, together with conductor Paolo Bortolameolli. 🥁🎺🎶

Hear it live in concert halls next week as we take To the Beat on tour:
📍14 April @bmusic_ltd, Birmingham Town Hall
📍15 April @roundhouseldn, London
📍16 April @sheffieldcityhall, Sheffield
📍18 April @bridgewaterhall, Manchester

Tickets are Free for Teens. Book now.

Warming up for To the Beat 🔥🎶

Some serious skills from the NYO Inspire percussionists... 👀

@jordan_ashman_percussion and the NYO percussion section will be flexing all their skills on stage on tour, in just over a week’s time!

Don’t miss a beat. Join us in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Sheffield. 🥁

#percussion

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Warming up for To the Beat 🔥🎶

Some serious skills from the NYO Inspire percussionists... 👀

@jordan_ashman_percussion and the NYO percussion section will be flexing all their skills on stage on tour, in just over a week’s time!

Don’t miss a beat. Join us in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Sheffield. 🥁

#percussion

Claire’s journey to The National Youth Orchestra 🙌🎶

There weren’t a lot of opportunities for Claire to play orchestral music at the level she wanted to in her local area. Then she found out about NYO Inspire.

Now in her fourth year in the Orchestra, she talks about what you can get out of the audition process, which goes way beyond whether you get in or not.

Ready for the greatest musical adventure? 🚀 Applications for the Orchestra of 2026 are open. Apply now.

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Claire’s journey to The National Youth Orchestra 🙌🎶

There weren’t a lot of opportunities for Claire to play orchestral music at the level she wanted to in her local area. Then she found out about NYO Inspire.

Now in her fourth year in the Orchestra, she talks about what you can get out of the audition process, which goes way beyond whether you get in or not.

Ready for the greatest musical adventure? 🚀 Applications for the Orchestra of 2026 are open. Apply now.

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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

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

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

I was very touched when one Year 7 pupil stayed behind after the lesson with a million questions about cor anglais and oboes, and seeing his face when he was told they had a school oboe he could play on.

Esme

— Oboe

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

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

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

Prince, cello

It has helped me to take on a leadership role and have more confidence in myself.

Rebecca

— Viola

Stories from our musicians

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.