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
Championing orchestral music as a powerful agent for teenage development.
The National Youth Orchestra was founded in 1948 as a post war symbol of hope and confidence. For over 70 years our pioneering spirit has made us a leader in high quality music education and a champion of teenage potential.
Our purpose
We activate teenagers’ confidence, optimism and skills to play their part in the world today, through performing and sharing extraordinary music.
We open doors for young people, equipping them with new ideas, new experiences, new friends and new music to master. By developing their potential as role models, we employ music to create a movement of changemakers making a positive impact for their generation.
Over the next decade we aim to create a significantly bigger national community for teenage musicians of all backgrounds and different levels of ability.
Whether you’re a musician, parent, music educator or supporter, there’s a part here for you.
The need for our work
The world is changing beyond measure for young people. Society is increasingly divisive. The crisis in young people’s mental health in one of the biggest challenges of our time. We believe in the power of music to address this.
We know that 82% of young people from low-income families who participate in arts activities at school report better well-being. Researchers have been unable to identify a comparable activity that develops the cognitive capacity of young people, in the same ways, or to the same extent as music and arts education. World leaders agree that the interpersonal, social and emotional skills that are fostered by the arts are most needed in the workforce.
Our high-quality opportunities address the growing limitations in music education provision, especially where social inequality exacerbates challenges faced by young people. We have a track record for supporting teenagers to excel whatever their background and circumstances. Our equity initiatives have strengthened the representation of young people from all backgrounds in the NYO community.
Our unique approach fosters understanding and hope between young people, cultivating positive disciplines, values and skills, supporting their futures. Our work plays a vital role in diversifying and sustaining the talent pipeline for the UK’s world class music industry alongside an array of different professions.
In numbers
160 teenage musicians in the Orchestra
1,000 NYO Inspire musicians with a further 1,000 participating through NYO Open
8,000 teenage audiences in concert halls, schools & youth centres nationwide.
15,000 music loving audiences in iconic venues across the UK
Meet the team
Get to know the passionate and dedicated staff and trustees working hard to inspire, nurture and learn with young musicians.
Our history
Founded in 1948, The National Youth Orchestra has a proud history of opening up opportunities to play and share orchestral music. Find out more about our founder, Dame Ruth Railton and key moments that have shaped our organisation.
Latest news
- 28 September 2023
This October, The National Youth Orchestra is bringing its entire community of teenage musicians together for a series of day-long music making activities at NYO Unite.
- The National Youth Orchestra
- 18 September 2023
Teenage musicians take centre stage as The National Youth Orchestra launches a new website with a bright new look.
The website brings to life our Open Up strategy to engage thousands more teenagers.
- The National Youth Orchestra
- 8 August 2023
Last week, The National Youth Orchestra brought to life NYO Alive, together with conductor, Carlos Miguel Prieto, and soprano, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha.
- Broadcasts
- Performances
- Reviews
- The Orchestra
- 28 September 2023
This October, The National Youth Orchestra is bringing its entire community of teenage musicians together for a series of day-long music making activities at NYO Unite.
- The National Youth Orchestra
- 18 September 2023
Teenage musicians take centre stage as The National Youth Orchestra launches a new website with a bright new look.
The website brings to life our Open Up strategy to engage thousands more teenagers.
- The National Youth Orchestra
- 8 August 2023
Last week, The National Youth Orchestra brought to life NYO Alive, together with conductor, Carlos Miguel Prieto, and soprano, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha.
- Broadcasts
- Performances
- Reviews
- The Orchestra
- 18 April 2023
The Spring Residency has now drawn to a close, but we’re still feeling the heat from the blazing NYO Ignite performances at the Southbank Centre and Saffron Hall, with conductor Andrew Gourlay!
- Broadcasts
- Performances
- Reviews
- The Orchestra
- 8 March 2023
Open a door to new ideas, new friends, and new music to explore with The National Youth Orchestra and NYO Inspire programme in 2024!
- NYO Inspire
- The Orchestra
- 20 February 2023
Our BBC Radio 4 Appeal has launched, raising vital funds for NYO Inspire, so that hundreds of teenagers can get involved and take their skills and talents to the next level.
- Community of Support
Music should be part of everyone’s lives, whether or not they go on to become professional performers, and NYO is the living proof.
Donor
— Southbank concert
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
Being at NYO is my favourite time of year.
India
— Violin
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
We were so excited to welcome you into school and to have the opportunity to showcase live orchestral music to our students who would never have the chance to see live music in this way otherwise.
Daniel Corrigan
— Head of Music, Radclyffe School
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
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