Play your part in the NYO community

Make music an even bigger part of your life.

As part of The National Youth Orchestra’s super-friendly community, you’ll find a place to shape your world.

Ready to open up your musical world?
Join NYO Inspire

NYO Inspire: Start Your NYO Musical Adventure

NYO Inspire is for teenage musicians facing barriers and lack of opportunity. There are no auditions and opportunities are FREE. The door is always open to take part.

With exciting musical opportunities throughout the year, you’ll take your music making and your confidence to a whole new level.

Ready to open up your musical world?
Join NYO Inspire

Ready to play your part as a musician and change maker? Apply to join the Orchestra

The Orchestra: Becoming a change maker for your generation

Ready to play your part as a musician and change maker? Join NYO

Play your part in ‘the world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers’.

Come together with others from across the UK to share your passion, thrill audiences and inspire other teenagers.

You’ll be playing at an advanced level but don’t need music exam certificates. We offer free auditions, workshops and constructive feedback for all.

Applications re-open in March 2026.

The NYO Adventure: Find out about how we work

Take a look behind the scenes and find out what makes joining the NYO community, the greatest adventure in orchestral music.

From the exceptional challenges to the opportunities to inspire others, it’s an exciting and growing community to be part of.

Read about the NYO adventure

NYO Open - orchestral music for everyone

Our musicians are opening the doors for everyone to play, listen live and create orchestral music. The only condition is to be a teenager (or a teen supporter!).

Tickets for orchestral music are free, and musical events are for a wide range of instruments, abilities and all backgrounds.

These activities welcome all teenagers, music educators and youth organisations.

Find out about NYO Open

NYO Inspire helped me to believe in myself and remember that while I may not have had the same opportunities, I have just as much right to be there as anyone else

Ellie, cello

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

Andrew

I’ve had so many comments from staff and students saying how inspirational the day was and how much they enjoyed everything from the workshops to the performances.

Daniel Corrigan

— Head of Music, Radclyffe School

NYO Inspire is probably the best thing I’ve done in my whole life.

NYO Inspire Musician

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

Prince, cello

The students absolutely loved it and I’ve already seen an uptake in orchestral instruments since the session – five new violin players! This has been a massive inspiration for both the children and myself and has ignited the spark in the music department here.

Ryan Wainwright-Meekins

— Head of Music, Edwinstree CofE Middle School

The National Youth Orchestra desperately needs financial support and backing if it is to continue its trailblazing work.

Sir Simon Rattle

It made me feel really happy that we managed to make something that good

Play the School participant