Applications for NYO Inspire closed at the start of December, but we are accepting a limited number of late applications as we fill any spaces in our activity. We are particularly looking for applications from Grade 6 and 7 musicians who are in state education, home schooled, or Black, Asian or ethnically diverse: if you meet these criteria, please apply using the application form.
We are determined to meet as many of you as possible, and create as many opportunities as we can for you to meet each other, share your skills, and create great music together.
We’re doing this by expanding NYO Inspire to make it bigger than ever before, with more musicians and more projects than in previous years.
For more information about Grade 8 & above musicians, please visit this page.
NYO Inspire Open Evening
Want to get to know us a little better? Meet our community! From our staff and support teams to our tutors, musicians and alumni, NYO is a welcoming family with a mission to make music with as many young musicians as possible from across the UK through NYO Inspire in 2021. Watch our videos below where NYO musicians from all sections of the orchestra respond to questions about NYO and NYO Inspire, you've always wanted to ask! If you'd like to take part in our creative workshop, you can watch it on YouTube here.
What is NYO Inspire?
NYO Inspire is our programme designed to widen access to orchestral music for those musicians traditionally underrepresented in the sector: musicians in state education, and musicians who are Black, Asian or ethnically diverse. If this sounds like you, and you play at Grade 6 or above then we’d like to invite you to fill in an application form.
Grade 8 Musicians:
If you play at Grade 8 & above and have submitted your NYO Inspire application, you will be asked to submit a video as part of your application. We’ll use these videos to get to know how you play and help us assign you to musical activities across the year.
To download your instrument-specific information sheet, please visit this page.
What will it cost?
Some of our activity across the year will have a fee attached, but we have a generous bursary scheme for any musician who needs financial support to take part with specific funds available for NYO Inspire eligible musicians.
What will the activity be?
NYO Inspire activity will include a mixture of digital and in-person events and residencies. Some activity will be targeted at those playing at certain grades, and there will be a mixture of orchestral, creative and ensemble projects.
More dates will be shared as planning progresses but some initial dates we are looking at include:
January – August Digital projects
13– 23 February Regional projects
7– 18 April NYO and NYO Inspire: Orchestral Residencies (3-5 days)
29 May – 7 June NYO Inspire: Ensembles Residencies
25 July – 8 August NYO and NYO Inspire: Orchestral residencies (8-14 days)
Want to help us spread the word about NYO Inspire?
Click to download our e-flyer and advert below. For further information and materials, contact inspire@nyo.org.uk
NYO Inspire is a game changing inclusion and access programme which provides free opportunities to Grade 6-8+ teenage musicians to develop their orchestral playing. At the heart of the programme is the power of peer inspiration and learning; we believe teenagers can gain so much from open exchange and sharing with fellow teenage musicians.
Our objective is to offer every dedicated teenage musician the chance to have a breakthrough experience through NYO Inspire, both as musicians and audience members. Within this we have a special focus on supporting and empowering musicians underrepresented in NYO and the professional orchestra sector.
Through in-depth workshops, rehearsals, and public performances, NYO Inspire events offer the opportunity to develop ensemble playing skills, meet enthusiastic musicians from across the country, and work closely with NYO Musicians and Tutors in a friendly and creative environment.
If you are, or you know, a committed teenage musician that needs access to further orchestral opportunities and play at Grade 6-8+ (or equivalent), join us on an NYO Inspire project and experience transformative music-making.
NYO Inspire provides orchestral opportunities to musicians who are underrepresented in the sector, which is why the opportunity is open to teenage musicians at Grade 6, 7 or 8 standard who attend a state school, who are home schooled, or who are Black, Asian or ethnically diverse. This year, we are expanding NYO Inspire for musicians playing at Grade 8 standard or above; every teenage Grade 8 musician in the country is welcome to apply, regardless of where you are educated.
Please note that there are limited places available, and it is not guaranteed that you will have a place on the programme, but we make every effort to include as many musicians as possible.
If you have any questions, contact the NYO Inspire Team on inspire@nyo.org.uk.
NYO Inspire is for teenage musicians who would benefit most from the opportunity, irrespective of individual means, which is why we fund all places as a charity. This year, we are expanding the programme to include more projects, which may have a small fee attached, but we will also be launching a series of NYO Inspire bursaries alongside our means-tested bursaries to fund any musician who would otherwise be prevented from participating on financial grounds.
We have to raise over £1.5m every year to continue doing what we do so if you do have the means to contribute, we would be very grateful for your support. You can donate online here or by cheque—please make the cheque payable to NYO, and post to NYO, 10 Great Turnstile, London WC1V 7JU. Your contribution gives teenagers a musical opportunity like no other. Thank you for your support.
My NYO Inspire Story: Deronne
Our flautist Deronne's transformative journey of peer learning and sharing.
Meeting so many cool people, performing cool rep, and sharing our stories is something I will remember throughout my life. I just hope I am allowed back for another one!
Tom
Horn, NYO Inspire Orchestra