All you need to know about this hugely admired British orchestra, open to teenagers who are passionate about performing classical music

By Steve Wright

Published: Tuesday, 27 June 2023 at 12:00 am


It’s making two appearances at the 2023 BBC Proms. But what is the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO)? Where are its members drawn from, and how do you apply to join? Who are its illustrious past players?

Read on for all your essential NYO facts…

What is the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain?

It’s an orchestra made up of teenage musicians from across the UK. They come from very different backgrounds – but they’re ‘bound together by their love for orchestral music, and their desire to open up orchestral music to other young musicians’.