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.

‘A Pirate’s Tale’ by 13-year-old James from Ark Bolingbroke Academy 🎶🙌

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‘A Pirate’s Tale’ by 13-year-old James from Ark Bolingbroke Academy 🎶🙌

🎺👀 #trumpet #brass #orchestra #classicalmusic

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🎺👀 #trumpet #brass #orchestra #classicalmusic

goosebumps all the way 🥹🫶 Somewhere from West Side Story 🎶

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goosebumps all the way 🥹🫶 Somewhere from West Side Story 🎶

Can you hear 1950s New York? 🏙️

Symphonic Dances from West Side Story includes some familiar tunes like Somewhere, Mambo and Cool. 🎶

The National Youth Orchestra performed the piece live as part of last year’s @roundhouseldn Three Sixty festival, with conductor, @alpeshconductor.

⏯️ Full performance now streaming on NYO’s YouTube channel

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Can you hear 1950s New York? 🏙️

Symphonic Dances from West Side Story includes some familiar tunes like Somewhere, Mambo and Cool. 🎶

The National Youth Orchestra performed the piece live as part of last year’s @roundhouseldn Three Sixty festival, with conductor, @alpeshconductor.

⏯️ Full performance now streaming on NYO’s YouTube channel

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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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

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

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

Patrick

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

Andrew

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

Rebecca

— Viola

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 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