Demand for places in The National Youth Orchestra increases, with 43% of musicians coming from its free access programme
A record number will play their part in NYO Inspire 2027, as demand for seats in the Orchestra grows
- An all time-high of 1,000 teenagers are set to play their part in NYO Inspire 2027, a free access programme
- Demand grows for places in the Orchestra with year-on-year increase in applications
- 43% of Orchestra musicians have progressed to the Orchestra from NYO Inspire
The National Youth Orchestra (NYO) has announced its Orchestra of 2027, with 43% of musicians coming through its free access programme, NYO Inspire. This is designed for teenage musicians from state schools and those who face systemic challenges accessing musical opportunities. NYO Inspire 2027 has seen record-breaking numbers, with 1,000 teenagers set to take part, nearly a 10% increase on last year.
Demand for places in the Orchestra continues to grow with a year-on-year increase in applications. Half the musicians in the Orchestra attend state school or are home educated. 34% are from minority ethnic backgrounds, while 53% of leadership positions are held by teenagers who are state-educated. These stats demonstrate the long-term impact that NYO Inspire is having on ensuring that orchestral music-making is available to as many teenagers across the UK as possible.
The Orchestra of 160 musicians hail from every corner of the UK from Banchory to Bicester and Sleaford to Sevenoaks. Half the musicians are new to the Orchestra this year, with the other half re-auditioning and securing their seat for another year.
Speaking about this year’s orchestra, James Jet Uttley, Violin (Leader) says: “NYO has given me a real sense of belonging, bringing me together with young musicians from across the country who share my passion for orchestral music. As this year’s Leader, I want to build a community where we challenge, encourage and bring out the best in one another, and show more teenagers how powerful orchestral music can be.”
CEO & Creative Director, Sarah Alexander OBE, says: “The continued growth in demand for places shows just how many teenagers want orchestral music to be part of their lives. NYO Inspire proves that talent is everywhere when you open the right doors, and we’re hugely proud that 43% of this year’s Orchestra came to us through this programme. We’ve got a big year ahead, and our musicians will be leading the charge to share their passion for orchestral music with other teenagers across the UK.”
Every musician in the Orchestra of 2027 will introduce pupils to orchestral music through a workshop at their local primary school as part of NYO Local, reaching an estimated 24,000 children. Across national tours and secondary school concerts, they will perform for an estimated 10,000 teenagers. They will lead the way as musical role models for musicians on the NYO Inspire programme, through side-by-side rehearsals with local musicians in the cities they visit, and in youth centres through NYO’s partnership with Onside YouthZone.
First up is NYO Unite, where every musician in the NYO community will join together for a day of music-making at locations across the UK between 25 October and 1 November. The Orchestra of 2027 will then embark on the Voyage tour, which takes place from 5th to 8th January 2027 in Manchester, Warwick and London, plus a Schools Concert and side-by-side rehearsals with local musicians at all venues. As always, Free for Teens tickets are available, to ensure that any teenager can experience the power of orchestral music for free.