A world pioneering inclusive orchestra

The National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) is a pioneering inclusive orchestra where brilliant 11-25 year-old disabled and non-disabled musicians rehearse and perform together. Alongside the touring orchestra, we run five Regional NOYO Ensembles in partnership with leading arts organisations in Bristol, Cardiff, London, Bournemouth and Birmingham.

We champion musical inclusion through exciting new music written and arranged for a wide mix of musicians and instruments.

The NOYO sound boldly blends acoustic and electronic instruments. Some are not usually found in orchestras, such as bass guitar or synthesiser. Others may be new to audiences, like the Clarion, which some musicians play using head movement.  

In 2026 we played our BBC Proms debut performing, cutting-edge specially composed pieces including ‘The Orchestra: A Young Person’s Guide’ by Charlotte Harding. We also work with venues to produce accessible concerts.

Stay tuned as we continue to bring new diversity and creativity into the orchestra!

An overhead view of the National Open Youth Orchestra mid-performance on a wooden stage. Musicians in purple, pink, yellow and teal T-shirts play violins, cellos, woodwind, brass and bass guitar, surrounded by music stands and microphones. A violinist plays from a wheelchair, and nearby another musician in a wheelchair plays an instrument mounted in front of her. On the right, the conductor smiles as she leads with her arms outstretched. The National Open Youth Orchestra performs at a BBC Proms concert, seen from behind the audience. The wood-panelled hall is lit in rainbow colours, with “BBC Proms” projected on the walls. A screen above the stage shows captions reading “Movement II, Individuals: So this orchestra, it’s the sum of its parts.” A conductor leads the orchestra, including musicians in wheelchairs playing tablet-based instruments, while a sign language interpreter performs at the side of the stage.
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Applying

Applications to join one of our Regional NOYO Ensembles in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Bournemouth or Cardiff are now closed. You can come to an Open Rehearsal in January, February or March 2027 and read the 2026 Applicant's Information Pack to learn more about applying to NOYO. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear when applications open.

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A woman in a bright pink jumper plays the oboe as she stands beside a young man in a powered wheelchair. He sits at a tablet mounted on a stand. They are rehearsing at a NOYO rehearsal.

Come to our 2027 Open Rehearsals!

Join our Open Rehearsals in Bristol, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Cardiff or London!

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We'll keep you posted about our latest news three times a year including updates and performances. Come on, you know you want to!

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