Norfolk County Youth Orchestra
Norfolk's premier youth orchestra for young musicians aged 11–18.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Autumn programme Monday 27–30 October 2025
- Age:
- 11–18
- Art form:
- Music
- Fees:
- £350 for GYA Norwich students / £400 for non-GYA Norwich students
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (under 18)
- Mode of study:
- Holiday Courses
- Venue:
- City of Norwich School
- When:
- Autumn Half-Term Courses
- Contact details:
- gyanorwich@gsmd.ac.uk
About Norfolk County Youth Orchestra
Guildhall Young Artists Norwich is proud to partner with the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra (NCYO). The orchestra welcomes up to 85 members from age 11 – 18 and meets to put on training courses twice a year, where young musicians get to work with industry professionals and develop skills in preparation for a public concert. Courses take place during the spring and autumn half-term, usually over a period of four to five days.
This unique experience gives members of Guildhall Young Artists Norwich an opportunity to develop their performance skills, build confidence and meet other musicians from all over Norfolk.
Founded in 1959 to provide gifted young musicians in Norfolk the opportunity to develop their skills and gain performing experience, NCYO is funded by The Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra, an independent charity which provides financial support through bursaries, to support young musicians who want to attend an NCYO course.
This year we are pleased to introduce NCYO Springboard, a new training orchestra for musicians playing instruments at Grades 3-5, which has been designed to offer a pathway into the senior NCYO ensemble.
Course dates: Monday 27–30 October 2025
Course Location: City of Norwich School
Concert: Ormiston Victory Academy
Develop your performance skills, build confidence and meet other musicians from all over Norfolk.
Apply here.
Applicants should have reached at least Grade 6 on their instrument, which should be demonstrated via the answers on their application form and at audition.
Membership of NCYO will be subject to a successful audition. Details on application.
Bursaries
NCYO bursary awards are means tested and open to all NCYO students who can demonstrate real financial need.
NCYO students are supported by the Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra. Bursaries are awarded on a means-tested basis, and any student living in a household with a residual income of less that £60,000* may apply.
*The residual household income is the total gross taxable income from the household, reducing that by the amount of Private Pension Plans, AVC’s, or other taxable allowances which is then further reduced by £1,130 for each child/student in the household who are financially dependent on the family.
To apply for a NCYO bursary please indicate this on the NCYO application form, and we will be in be in touch with more information about the application process at a later date.
Sibling Discount
Due to the generosity of the Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra (FNCYO) we are now able to offer a sibling discount of 30% per sibling.
Families who qualify for a FNCYO bursary will also receive the sibling discount where more than one child is a member of NCYO.
The Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra is an independent charity. It was set up to foster and develop musical skills and opportunities for all Norfolk County Youth Orchestra players – especially those in greatest need of support.
It has also been the main source of financial support for the orchestra since 2019, heavily subsidising costs and supporting individual students with a bursary scheme.
Run by a group of volunteer trustees, any funds raised go directly to helping young musicians who would otherwise be unable to continue their passion and progress within music.
The Friends are vital and without them the NCYO would not be viable which is why the trust continues to seek support and donations to continue its work.
Support can come in many ways. It may be a small, personal donation or a business partnership. We are also keen to engage with organisations who are passionate about music and children’s development and who might be interested in running their own Friends fund-raising event or linking their brand with us.
You can support the work of FNCYO today by making an online donation or find out more ways that you can help to make a difference by visiting fncyo.org.uk.
