Music for Youth Proms 2026:

A National Showcase Featuring 3,000+ Young Performers

Including WORLD PREMIERE work from James B. Wilson & Alex Wharton

A Special Performance of Charlotte Harding’s The Orchestra: A Young Person’s Guide

Royal Albert Hall, London | 9 & 10 November 2026

LONDON, UK — Music for Youth is proud to announce the return of its flagship national event, the Music for Youth Proms 2026 at the Royal Albert Hall on 9 and 10 November. Over two unforgettable evenings, more than 3,000 young performers from every corner of the UK will take to the stage in a resounding testament to the vitality of youth music at one of Britain’s most iconic venues.

From gospel choirs to jazz orchestras, marching and steel pan bands to rock and pop groups, the Proms will spotlight the extraordinary diversity and talent of the next generation of musicians. Each night will see over 1,500 young artists take to the stage in an exhilarating blend of sound and style, with ensembles, bands and choirs creating the extraordinary atmosphere that has become the hallmark of this much-loved annual event.

As well as featured choirs and bands, 900 singers and musicians from all over the country – from first-note learners to advanced players – will be taking part in the Music for Youth Creative Project – an extraordinary creative collaboration between Music for Youth, BBC Ten Pieces, ABRSM and the Royal Albert Hall. 

They will perform a highlight of this year’s Proms – the world premiere of As I Rise, a major commission by composer James B.Wilson with lyrics by poet and recent Children’s Laureate Wales, Alex Wharton. Celebrating human ambition and innovation, inspired by NASA’s Artemis missions that orbited the moon for the first time since the Apollo missions in 1969; As I Rise brings together a massed children’s choir and full orchestra in a spectacular collaboration.

New for 2026, and in partnership with BBC Get Singing, Creative Project Participants will perform a special arrangement of Something Heavy by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jacob Collier; ambassador and advocate for the BBC Get Singing programme initiative.

Participants will also get the chance to take part in Charlotte Harding’s The Orchestra: A Young Person’s Guide. Using themes from Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. Originally commissioned for the 2026 BBC Proms with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and National Open Youth Orchestra, this version has been specially adapted for younger performers at the Music for Youth Proms.

Pupils and teachers from primary schools across London will take part in As I Rise, as part of Music For Youth’s Accelerator Programme ‘Accelerando’ – an initiative that addresses the critical shortage of music teachers in schools, widening access to high-quality music-making in areas where opportunities can be limited. Twelve primary schools are receiving specialist training and support, helping teachers build the skills and confidence to nurture music in their classrooms and inspire the next generation of young performers.

Selected Highlights:

Monday 9 November: Birmingham Schools Jazz Band, Boston Youth Jazz Orchestra, Chadsgrove School Open Orchestra, Dominican College Fortwilliam Chamber Choir, HONK! Lancashire Youth Street Band, LAET x The Willow, Luton Youth Percussion Orchestra, NMPAT Guys & Dolls, Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra, State of Mind, Walthamstow School for Girls Y11 Steel Pan Band, Ysgol Gymraeg Gwynllyw Lleisiau’r Llyw and more.

Tuesday 10 November: ACE (Advanced Chamber Ensemble), Brentwood Imperial Youth Band, Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra, Devon Youth Folk Ensemble, Love Music Trust Percussion Ensemble, Milton Keynes Youth Orchestra, Mountbatten Music Academy Choir, Oldham Music Centre Youth Choir, Southampton Youth Wind Band and emerging artists Iris, Kirk Boyd, Chloe Lovell, Trxth, DJ Lu-C and Finn End of the Wedge.

About Music for Youth

Music for Youth (MFY) is a national youth music charity that provides life-changing performance opportunities for young people across the UK. Supported by Nile Rodgers, The Hoosiers, Jack Pepper, and more – MFY champions music education and celebrates young talent through nationwide events.

First staged in 1975 under the banner of The Schools Prom, the Music for Youth Proms have stood as a cornerstone of Britain’s musical calendar for fifty years. Founded with the visionary aim of giving young musicians a national platform, the Proms have evolved from their early days as a celebration of school ensembles into a vast, inclusive festival celebrating the UK’s musical landscape. Over the years, they have provided an early stage for some of the nation’s most distinguished artists, including violinist Nigel Kennedy, percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie and oboist Nicholas Daniel, who all experienced the thrill of performance at the Schools Proms. Key sponsors include Arts Council England, National Education Union, ABRSM and Musicians’ Union.

Website: www.mfy.org.uk/proms

Phil Castang MBE, CEO of Music for Youth, said: “The Music for Youth Proms showcases the brilliance of young musicians from across the whole UK. It is a show like no other and recognises that young people make great music and can captivate audiences on the most important stages.”

For ticket bookings and full programme details, visit https://www.mfy.org.uk/proms