Join NYO Inspire

Applications for NYO Inspire are open all year round, but we are about to launch a new round of applications for all of the 2023 activity, opening on April 4.  

If you want to power up your ensemble playing, expand your horizons and have a great time with musicians from across the country, then NYO Inspire is your next step. These are game-changing ensemble music opportunities specifically for teenagers who attend state schools, are home educated OR if you are Black, Asian or ethnically diverse; these are communities underrepresented in the world of orchestral music.  

There is no deadline for applying for NYO Inspire - applications are open all year. However, the sooner you apply for NYO Inspire, the sooner we can match you with relevant activity; there's still plenty of music-making happening between now and 2023, so apply now and we'll consider you for all of the 2023 projects, as well as the upcoming projects happening in 2022.  

Applications for NYO Inspire are completely free. 

We can’t wait to make music with you all. 

After an induction day in Autumn, the NYO Inspire year features one-day events and residencies structured around the holidays and weekends. There will also be digital webinars, training and preparation, and creative sessions to connect the whole NYO community of orchestra and Inspire musicians.   

Here are some outline dates: 

Induction day (one day in your region) October 2022 half term (dates tbc) 

NYO Inspire Ensembles February 2023 half term (dates tbc) 

NYO Inspire Instrument Days Throughout the year 

NYO Inspire Orchestra Days Five dates across Spring 2023 

NYO Inspire Orchestra Two weeks in July 2023 

Not everyone is invited to every project, but every participant will be included at an induction days and an NYO Inspire Orchestra Day. 

NYO Inspire Orchestra Days

NYO Inspire Orchestra Days are your chance to take your playing to the next level and get that breakthrough orchestral experience. 

Spend an immersive day in workshops and rehearsals, focused on peer learning and sharing with NYO musicians. Through this open exchange, you’ll develop your ensemble playing skills and explore ways of listening, while experiencing the joys of orchestral music-making in a friendly and creative environment. You’ll then showcase what you’ve learned in a performance for family and friends. 

NYO Inspire Orchestra Days take place during the Spring months in five locations around the country. 

NYO Inspire Ensembles

NYO Inspire Ensembles are three-day residencies in orchestral family groups – strings, wind, brass and percussion – that explore challenging repertoire and ensemble playing techniques. Devised and led by NYO tutors, the project encompasses a wide range of playing techniques to develop your musicianship further. 

Through NYO Inspire Ensembles you’ll meet young people from around the country, pushing outside your comfort zone, learning new skills, and getting to grips with your instrument in new ways in a friendly and creative environment. You’ll then showcase what you’ve learned in a performance for family and friends. 

NYO Inspire Ensembles takes place during the February half term.  

NYO Inspire Orchestra

NYO Inspire Orchestra continues NYO's bold mission to give breakthrough experiences of orchestral music to teenagers. NYO Inspire Orchestra is made up of around 70 musicians who we meet at NYO Inspire Ensembles and NYO Inspire Orchestra Days and consists of a six-day rehearsal residency and a four-day concert tour. Performances take place in secondary schools, where thousands of young people who currently enjoy few cultural opportunities will be given the chance to hear a full symphony orchestra perform live, many no doubt for the first time.  

NYO Inspire Orchestra takes place in July. 

If you play at Grade 6+ standard and if you attend a state school, are home-schooled, or if you are Black, Asian or ethnically diverse, please apply using the application link below.  In this section you will find details about eligibility requirements. 

You will need to be between 13 and 18 on 1 September 2022 in order to apply for NYO Inspire 2023.   

Orchestral Instruments 

NYO Inspire is for those playing orchestral instruments: 

Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Orchestral Percussion, Harp, Orchestral Keyboard and Saxophone 

Standard 

If you are playing your instrument at around Grade 6 standard or above then we want to hear from you. There is no requirement to have taken any grade exams at all.  

Nationality 

You must be a British citizen or resident or studying in the British Isles.  

Education 

You must be at Secondary School or Sixth-Form College or on a gap year. 

Finances 

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. We also offer bursaries for travel for those who need assistance.