National Open Youth Orchestra
Now in its fifth year, the National Open Youth Orchestra is a hugely creative, inclusive orchestra where talented 11-25 year-old disabled and non-disabled musicians rehearse and perform together. Guildhall School, together with the Barbican, leads the London centre of this pioneering orchestra.
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About
About the National Open Youth Orchestra
Now in its fifth year, the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) is a hugely creative, pioneering inclusive orchestra where talented 11-25 year-old disabled and non-disabled musicians rehearse and perform together. It works with cutting-edge composers to create exciting new music that marries the sounds of acoustic, accessible and electronic instruments such as the Clarion, Seaboard RISE and LinnStrument.
Come watch NOYO live in their debut concerts, with four relaxed BSL-Interpreted performances:
24 April - Milton Court Concert Hall, London, 4-5pm
15 May - St George’s Bristol, 4-5pm
22 May - Lighthouse, Poole (live and streaming), 4-5.30pm
5 June 2022 - Town Hall, Birmingham, 4-5pm
'What Fear We Then?' Music Video
Meet members of the London NOYO Centre...
I play the Clarion. I use a headset. I love NOYO.
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Alessandro
NOYO in three words: creative, inclusive and ground-breaking because it's the first youth orchestra of its kind in the world. NOYO is creative because we get composers commissioned to write work especially for us.
Young people should definitely join NOYO because it's an orchestra like no other. And it's been amazing for me and everyone else.
Young people should definitely join NOYO because it's an orchestra like no other. And it's been amazing for me and everyone else.
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Georgina
I play piano, accordion and organs. I am happy in the orchestra. It’s fun.
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David
In NOYO, they really encourage you to put your own ideas to the table and it's very encouraging and helps you develop as a musician.
It's been really exciting playing music that's specifically orchestrated for NOYO and to play with a range of instruments rather than a standard orchestra.
It's been really exciting playing music that's specifically orchestrated for NOYO and to play with a range of instruments rather than a standard orchestra.
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Francesca
We’re diverse. Certainly in terms of inclusivity - not just in terms of disability but also, we've got an incredible range of musical backgrounds. We've got some great classical musicians, we've got folk musicians. There's a huge range of different styles coming to the orchestra and a huge range of different people.
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Oliver
I play piano and percussion. I like NOYO. I would like to play with Santana!
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Oscar
Lots of the music we play, you wouldn't really get that in a stereotypical classical music concert. We believe that it's best if disabled and non-disabled musicians can integrate together, and then we can come up with fresh new ideas and be more creative. We can be more free with the music.
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Holli
Every single bit of NOYO I have enjoyed since the day I started. It's a fun experience. You get to learn new stuff and meet new people. I started off as a trainee which means that I could come and play with some of the orchestra but I wasn't able to play in concerts. I wasn't ready at that level, but after one year of persisting and working hard, I achieved the goal of becoming a fully-fledged member and now play in concerts.
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Sam
I am having a great experience with NOYO. All the mentors are very helpful and I am growing my music technique. I certainly gained more confidence.
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Leo
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The making of 'What Fear We Then?'
Behind the music - Meet three members of the National Open Youth Orchestra - Subtitled and BSL Interpreted
Alexander Campkin introduces “What Fear We Then?” - Subtitled and BSL Interpreted
