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.

Moments like this. 🙌 #wicked #orchestra #musicaltheatre

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Moments like this. 🙌 #wicked #orchestra #musicaltheatre

😲🎶

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drop your guess ⤵️👀✨

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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.

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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

Day in the life of a musician in an orchestra! 🤩🎻

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Day in the life of a musician in an orchestra! 🤩🎻

Youth centre tour: passing the beat on 🎶

Musicians from the NYO community took their passion for music to youth centres across north west, inspiring their generation through musical workshops and live performances. 🙌

Huge thanks to OnSide Youth Zones for helping make this possible. ⭐️

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Youth centre tour: passing the beat on 🎶

Musicians from the NYO community took their passion for music to youth centres across north west, inspiring their generation through musical workshops and live performances. 🙌

Huge thanks to OnSide Youth Zones for helping make this possible. ⭐️

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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

Being at NYO is my favourite time of year.

India

— Violin

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

Andrew

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

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

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

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

Prince, cello

Stories from our musicians

Evie, Cello

NYO Inspire offers a love of classical music that we don't get to experience elsewhere.

Inspire Journeys

3 September 2023

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.