The National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) is a world first, an ambitious orchestra launched in September 2018 to give some of the UK’s most talented young disabled musicians a progression route. It promotes musical excellence, empowering 11-25 year-old disabled and non-disabled musicians to rehearse and perform together as members of a pioneering inclusive ensemble.
Some of the National Open Youth Orchestra musicians play acoustic instruments; others, electronic instruments like the Clarion, which can be played with the movement of any part of the body including the eyes.
NOYO collaborates with cutting-edge composers to create exciting new music for a diverse range of musicians and instruments. Our first commission, ‘The Umbrella’ by Liam Taylor-West won a British Composer Award in 2018.
Stay tuned as we inject new diversity and creativity into the orchestra!
How to apply?
Applications to audition for the National Open Youth Orchestra have now closed. They will re-open in spring 2021. If you're a talented 11-25 year-old disabled or non-disabled musician, find out if this could be the orchestra for you! Members rehearse through our London, Bristol, Bournemouth and Birmingham NOYO Centres. You don't have to be from those cities. You just need to be able to travel there every month.
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Birmingham here we come!
We’re so excited about the new Birmingham NOYO Centre, in partnership with Town Hall Symphony Hall, Midlands Arts Centre and Services For Education.
Read about it and find out why you should apply: French horn player Georgina created an awesome video about her experience of the orchestra, and what difference it’s made!