What I like about NOYO: I like that I finally have the opportunity to play in an orchestra. I have wanted to join one for the longest time.

More about me:  I’m an artist in many ways (I write and draw too) but music is my main hobby and obsession. I write songs in my spare time and I enjoy sharing them with people. My favourite musicians include The Beach Boys, Jeff Buckley, Fiona Apple and Elliott Smith.

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: I like the people and playing my music as a group.

More about me: I like going out to restaurants and enjoy holidays away. I enjoy all sorts of different music.

NOYO Ensemble: Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: I like meeting new friends and I enjoy playing music with other people.

More about me: I like playing music. I have a pet rabbit and she likes listening to me play.

NOYO Ensemble: Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: I like that NOYO is inclusive, and the people here are nice. It’s also great to be able to play bass guitar in an orchestra!

More about me: I love to play football. As well as playing the bass, I also play the classical guitar. My favourite bands are Galantis and Glass Animals.

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: I like being part of a group who share my passion and knowledge for playing music.

More about me: I enjoy reading, doing puzzles and playing piano. I have a cat who I’m trying to teach tricks to. Some of my favourite artists are Linkin Park, Coldplay and Eminem. I also have recently started my own social media channel!

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: NOYO has helped me to be able to do something new, meet different people and learn about music.

More about me: I have a wicked sense of humour. I like gaming, YouTube and going to Powerchair football. I also like Star Wars.

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: I like being able to play an instrument, which is something that is not always possible for disabled people. NOYO is helping me to learn a different skill.

More about me: I like gaming, going out with friends and having different experiences. I will give anything a try and like a challenge. I am also a big fan of Marvel.

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: It’s a great place where talented musicians can get to show off their skills.

More about me: I really enjoy music and love trying new things.

What I like about NOYO: I like NOYO because the music is really well adapted to the instruments we play.

More about me: I like obscure instruments and orchestral adaptations of music belonging to other genres.

What I like about NOYO: Going to NOYO is my favourite thing to do every month. I like practicing for the rehearsals and love to play together with all my other friends. I specifically like the improvisation session we do.

More about me: My favourite hobby is playing the drums and composing music on my iPad, using GarageBand. I enjoy my music lessons and also the after school drumming club. I like to play with my cat Tokio. In summer I enjoy gardening and watering the plants.

What I like about NOYO: I’m enjoying the non-traditional arrangements of iconic music – I never thought I’d hear saxophone in Vivaldi, but NOYO makes it work. I’m also enjoying the more intuitive approach to music; having been playing from pre-written sheet music for so long, it’s been really fun to improvise.

More about me: I love to sing and compose music, and have just finished a rhapsody for string orchestra. I’m also working on pieces for choral groups, but am hoping to write something for the National Open Youth Orchestra at some point!

What I like about NOYO: I love how much of a creative environment it is and how I get to meet so many like-minded people who all love music.

More about me: Music is and will always be a huge part of my life, I am in a wide variety of different musical groups and I love how diverse music can be. As well as flute and bassoon I also play recorder, piano, saxophone and I sing.

What I like about NOYO: I like making friends, playing different varieties of music and learning new skills.

More about me: I like to construct Lego. I have a puppy called Daisy and I like life!

NOYO Ensemble: London

What I like about NOYO: I like that NOYO is inclusive and provides opportunities for those that are neurodiverse like me.

More about me: My passions are Harry Potter, Home Alone, Back to the Future and Family History. I love spending time with my family and my cat. I play my violin in a county ensemble called Zingaresque. I also enjoy singing, acting and drama with my local drama group too.

What I like about NOYO: I’m looking forward to working with and making new friends from all over the country.

More about me: I am a total solar eclipse chaser, explorer scout, indoor bowls player, big foodie who enjoys acting, dancing and music.

NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth

What I like about NOYO: I love being in the orchestra and playing with lots of talented musicians who play different instruments. It’s a very happy and supportive environment.

More about me: I really enjoy playing Clarion and being part of the orchestra. I also like sailing and looking after my little dog Elsie.

NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth

What I like about NOYO: I like the fact that it’s a national orchestra which is open to everybody and great musicians are not restricted by finance or the type of instrument they play.

More about me: I like all varieties of music, especially Hip Hop. I support Chelsea FC. I am post grade 8 on piano and trombone. I also played guitar, try and play drums, can sing quite well (I think), played harp and play handbells. I enjoy producing music on Logic Pro X. I also like tennis.

NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth

What I like about NOYO: Being in the orchestra has been a new start for me but I got used to it in the end. Most of all, I like how the instruments play in harmony. It makes me feel relaxed, I enjoy it so much. It really is fun to play in a group with other musicians.

More about me: I like listening to all sorts of music. I also play the keyboard. I can play the drums, and used to play the trumpet. Outside of the orchestra, I like to play Minecraft (especially the note blocks) and sometimes watch YouTube. I like building Lego sets. I enjoy riding my scooter and going on bike rides with my Dad. I love the outdoors, especially when it involves high ropes and zip wires.

NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth

What I like about NOYO: It has given me lots of experience of playing with other people rather than playing on my own. I like this because I like being sociable and it’s marvellous. The timing is the challenging part, but I’m really excited about the music in general.

More about me: I work as an assistant gardener at a big private estate in the New Forest two days a week and for Minstead Trust for one day a week. I play for Hampshire Disability Cricket. I enjoy going for big bike rides on the South Downs Way.

Member of the NOYO social media team

What I like about NOYO: I like coming together and playing music with friends and learning all the music. I like to jam and learn new skills and improve my confidence. And it is fun!

More about me: I love music and DJ’ing and mixing. I play golf, volunteer at a cafe, do dog agility and play Boccia and Table Cricket. I love walking my dog and am passionate about the environment and looking after the planet.

What I like about NOYO: I like the people there. I like playing with the orchestra.

More about me: I like jazz music, 60s music, rock and roll and 80s music. My favourite film is ‘Mary Poppins Returns’. I like hiking a lot.

NOYO Ensemble: London

What I like about NOYO: I like how open-minded and inclusive it is and the chance to play different styles of music.

More about me: I like listening to and attending gigs of folk and punk bands. My favourite is Mad Dog Mcrea. I also play a lot of sports, my favourites are hockey and badminton. I am a fan of playing board games and Magic: The Gathering.

What I like about NOYO: I like how NOYO is a place where I can be myself and hang out with like minded people. I enjoy how friendly people are and how accessible it is. I enjoy the warm up sessions and how it grows my understanding of music.

More about me: I am a passionate person with a love for music. My favourite genres are Vocaloid, pop punk and electronic. I enjoy spending time with my friends, although I have a burning hatred for Chelsea F.C. whom my best friend Bert supports for some unknown reason. I enjoy going to the football with my friends and going shopping with my other friends. My autistic topic of fixation is the Pokémon video games, so if you have any questions, please be prepared to sit there for hours on end listening.

What I like about NOYO: I really like NOYO because I feel so included. Sam the music leader speaks directly to me and has given me the opportunity to lead the ensemble by starting the piece. I love how we all play together. Everyone is so friendly.

More about me: I am 17 years old, I have perfect pitch and I am blind. I love all music and languages. I am lucky enough to study from home. I am studying for my grade 7 flute and grade 3 piano. I am learning Spanish, French and German. I am also in the Christchurch Music Centre Orchestra.

What I like about NOYO: It seems like a friendly place. I like the people here. It’s nice how the staff work hard to cater to everyone’s needs.

More about me:  I play a lot of video games, and I love a good game soundtrack. They’re good background noise to help me focus while I work. I love performing big dramatic songs that can really get me pumped.

NOYO Ensemble:  Bristol

What I like about NOYO: All the teachers are really nice. The pieces we get to play are interesting and we have fun together.

More about me: I enjoy singing and watching musicals. My hobbies are art and drama.

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

What I like about NOYO: I love playing music with others, especially in an environment where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are.

More about me: I enjoy baking, participating in drama productions, walking and anything to do with being in nature.

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

What I like about NOYO: Playing together as a group inspires me!

More about me: I enjoy watching Pointless and love the following songs: ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Walking in the air’, ‘Stand by Me’, ‘Baby I love you’. I enjoy listening to musicals such as ‘Oliver’.

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

What I like about NOYO: I am happy about NOYO.

More about me: I am in supporting living in Bristol. I love iPad and games.

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

What I like about NOYO: I love playing all the music with everybody in the orchestra.

More about me: I love performing the orchestra’s music and other music every year to lots of campers on the Isles of Scilly.

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

What I like about NOYO: Rehearsals are very enjoyable because Siobhan and Ellen are so kind and supportive. As well as enjoying playing in an orchestra, I have started to make some new friends and I am looking forward to the socials.

More about me: I absolutely love drumming and listening to all sorts of music. I also like farming and have lots of pets. I love animals, going to the gym, swimming as well as baking are my other hobbies and my favourite TV programme has to be Doc Martin!

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

What I like about NOYO: I love meeting new people and experimenting with the music we create.

More about me:  I love discovering new music of all genres. A lot of my free time is spent searching through Spotify for my next music obsession – although nothing will ever beat my all-time favourite band, Radiohead!

NOYO Ensemble: Cardiff

What I like about NOYO: It is all the excitement of meeting other musicians and playing music with them.

More about me: When I’m not playing the piano, I love hitting the ball on the tennis court. I love singing, travelling, meeting new people and seeing new places. I enjoy baking gluten-free chocolate cakes and if my sister is free, I like playing video games with her too.

NOYO Ensemble: Cardiff

What I like about being in NOYO: I enjoy playing a variety of music, I like the location, and the tutors and staff are really kind and knowledgeable.

More about me: I am 14 years old and in year 10 at secondary school, studying Music, IT and History (along with the usual subjects). I enjoy playing in a variety of music groups and ensembles. I struggle in school sometimes and find music is my way to escape.

NOYO Ensemble: Cardiff

Member of the NOYO Social Media Team

What I like about NOYO: I like the visible effort made to include a diverse range of musicians in the NOYO, which you don’t get in many ensembles.

More about me: My life is mostly music – my passion is bringing music to those who can’t normally access it. Outside of music, I love to read and knit!

NOYO Ensemble:  Cardiff

What I like about NOYO: I think the people are lovely, and I like the sense of community and how the music caters to every individual.

More about me: I draw and compose in my spare time. I love reading books and most recently read Dracula and other horror books. As well as cello, I play piano and guitar. I love musical theatre.

What I like about NOYO: I like meeting new people and meeting new musicians who play similar instruments to me, and learning classical music, and I’m getting back into using sheet music as well as learning by ear.

More about me: I started playing the saxophone at the age of 12. I studied music in college (level 2 and 3), and I’m now going to study music in university. I have other interests outside of music such as photography, films, gardening, dogs, art and tractors.

What I like about NOYO: I like NOYO because of the accepting atmosphere. It’s comforting to know that you’re free to be yourself in a community of people who share the same passion as you.

More about me: I’ve always used music and art to express myself and my emotions. I’m happiest when listening and playing music and doing some art or reading horror/thrillers. My music taste is pretty eclectic – I love rock, metal, alt and indie, especially from the 70s to 90s.

What I like about NOYO: Playing with other musicians.

More about me:  I enjoy creating digital art.

NOYO Ensemble:  London

What I like about NOYO: I have already made friends and the orchestra being inclusive particularly appeals to me. It is fantastic that young people are given a chance to take part despite their health challenges.

More about me: I also play the piano and am a violist for my local youth orchestra. I enjoy music and some of my favourites are The Planets, Holst, Danzón No. 2 and Sibelius No. 1. I like trains and am a big fan of the London Underground.

NOYO Ensemble: London

Member of the NOYO Social Media Team

What I like about NOYO: Learning to play in an orchestra.

More about me: I like to travel and learn languages. I love music, especially Tchaikovsky’s music. I love to make portraits.

NOYO Ensemble: London

What I like about NOYO: I love how friendly and enthusiastic everyone is and how interesting the music is. The orchestra is inspiring. We are from all kinds of backgrounds and we work really positively together, as a big happy team. It’s a lot of fun!

More about me: I love lots of types of music and I also like to sing. When I’m not playing the trombone, I spend my time building websites, solving my friends and family’s tech problems and researching travel and transport (trains and planes). I also like exercising with friends at a local park, learning languages (especially German and Spanish), spending time with animals and baking cakes for friends.

NOYO Ensemble: London

Member of the NOYO Social Media Team

What I like about NOYO: I like the freedom and equality.

More about me: I’m a 14-year-old boy originally from Hong Kong. I was born blind due to a rare disease and live with complex disabilities, including speech and learning difficulties, autism, and hearing loss. I have achieved Diploma grade in Piano Performance and Grade 8 in Drums. My love for music spans across genres — from classical to jazz, folk to rock and pop. Recently, I have also been developing my musical improvisation skills.

NOYO Ensemble: London

What I like about NOYO: Everyone is very sweet and nice and will always help when you need it. They are always quick to pick up any concerns if anything does happen and deal with them to the best of their own abilities.

More about me: I like to listen to many different types of music and I like drawing and painting as well as making songs and playing instruments.

NOYO Ensemble: London

What I like about NOYO: Everyone is really friendly, and the rehearsals are super calm and productive!

More about me: I really like sailing, and playing my musical instruments with friends! My favourite type of music on the violin is folk music or anything fast, but on the horn my favourite piece is Reverie by Glazunov.

What I like about NOYO: I like the people and the Jaffa Cakes best!

More about me: I like to row and hug my cat.

What I like about NOYO: I like the environment, it’s very chill and there’s not a lot of pressure. I like playing games.

More about me: I like to read historical fantasy. I have two pet cats and I listen to Patrick Stump.

Member of the NOYO social media team

What I like about NOYO: I get to play lots of different music and have a lot of fun.

More about me: I really like reading, listening to music and coffee!

NOYO Ensemble: Cardiff

What I like about NOYO: I’m looking forward to playing with like-minded people.

More about me: Music is my world. I love many different genres of music. I love climbing trees. I love my Buddy Dog from Guide Dogs. Christmas is my favourite time of year.