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.

Thinking about joining NYO Inspire? Go for it!" Lucy, Violin

Ready to go further? Join Lucy and hundreds of other musicians on this free musical adventure!

It`s the biggest orchestral music community you`ve ever seen ✨ Level up your skills with world-class tutoring 🙌 Make incredible music alongside people who love music as much as you! 🎵

Open up your world and play your part. Apply now ⭐

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Thinking about joining NYO Inspire? Go for it!" Lucy, Violin

Ready to go further? Join Lucy and hundreds of other musicians on this free musical adventure!

It's the biggest orchestral music community you've ever seen ✨ Level up your skills with world-class tutoring 🙌 Make incredible music alongside people who love music as much as you! 🎵

Open up your world and play your part. Apply now ⭐

That encore feeling 🙌

The Orchestra bring the house down at @royalalberthall with their electrifying energy 🔥 adding an a cappella flair to Bizet`s L`Arlésienne Suite No. 2! 🎵

Experience a cosmic journey like no other at our first ever Relaxed Prom on 10 August with @tessjacksonconductor. Advanced tickets are now very limited, so book now if you`d like to join us on this adventure. 🎟

Promming tickets will also be available for our Relaxed Prom on 10 August, and evening Prom on 9 August! 🏟

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That encore feeling 🙌

The Orchestra bring the house down at @royalalberthall with their electrifying energy 🔥 adding an a cappella flair to Bizet's L'Arlésienne Suite No. 2! 🎵

Experience a cosmic journey like no other at our first ever Relaxed Prom on 10 August with @tessjacksonconductor. Advanced tickets are now very limited, so book now if you'd like to join us on this adventure. 🎟

Promming tickets will also be available for our Relaxed Prom on 10 August, and evening Prom on 9 August! 🏟

Count the trombones! 😲

Imagine meeting that many musicians who play the same instrument as you! 🎶

At NYO Inspire, you’ll play your part and open up your world as part of a massive musical community. 🙌

Apply now. It’s free.

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Everyone’s NYO Inspire adventure is unique…

…offering you opportunities that match your needs and where you’re at on your musical journey. 🥁🚀✨This could involve:

🎶Unite Days - Experience an epic day of music-making uniting musicians from the whole NYO Community

🎶 Inspire Ensembles - Meet musicians from your instrument group in three-day residencies

🎶 Inspire Orchestra - Play your part in a full orchestra and take part in workshops and public performances.

Musicians who demonstrate their commitment to developing will have a great chance of being invited to play their part in every activity. 🙌

NYO Inspire is completely free. Apply now.

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Everyone’s NYO Inspire adventure is unique…

…offering you opportunities that match your needs and where you’re at on your musical journey. 🥁🚀✨This could involve:

🎶Unite Days - Experience an epic day of music-making uniting musicians from the whole NYO Community

🎶 Inspire Ensembles - Meet musicians from your instrument group in three-day residencies

🎶 Inspire Orchestra - Play your part in a full orchestra and take part in workshops and public performances.

Musicians who demonstrate their commitment to developing will have a great chance of being invited to play their part in every activity. 🙌

NYO Inspire is completely free. Apply now.

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. 🚀

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

Andrew

Being at NYO is my favourite time of year.

India

— Violin

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

Prince, cello

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

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

NYO has given me a confidence that I never thought I could have. I feel accepted and listened to and so enjoy being part of a big bass section.

Anonymous

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

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

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.