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 2024.

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

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

Andrew

It was a truly inspiring day to see so many young people getting so much out of being part of this wonderful organisation.

Donor

— Spring open rehearsal

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

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

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

You learn from each other’s ideas and learn to be generous. You learn to respect other people and how to behave in new situations.

Ellie

— Percussion

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