Joining Nottingham Youth Orchestra

Develop your passion for music and perform better than you thought!

Would you like to experience a welcome distraction from academic studies, with a chance to let off steam and immerse in an exciting sound world?

Sharing your music making in a group with others is much more fulfilling than practising on your own! Here are some past and current members to tell you why you might like to join…

Join for just £4.50 - £5.00 per hour

The termly Subscriptions for NYO contribute towards rehearsal rooms, concert venue hire, professional tutor and conductor fees, music scores and equipment. Fees are kept as low as possible to give value for money and are currently set at just £4.50-£5.00 per hour.

Sibling/joint membership discounts are available, fees can be paid by instalments to suit your budget, and there is a pro rata amount for those who join part way through a year. Furthermore NYO has a bursary scheme for families who genuinely cannot afford to pay.

If your child plays, or is interested in playing, viola, double bass, bassoon, French horn, trombone, tuba, please get in touch as there may be other ways we can help.

Where and when

Members attend rehearsals Thursday evenings during term time (Tuesdays for Jazz) at The Becket School, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QY
The Becket site is easily accessible by public transport (Wilford Lane Tram Stop) as well as car, and parking is easy. An email is sent before rehearsals with full details and helpers are stationed around the school to guide you.

When should I apply?

Join at anytime of year. The best way to apply is to contact us so we can send you a registration form and invite you to the next rehearsal as a taster session. After the taster you will either be contacted to say you have a place or invited back to audition.

Contact us and apply

Which orchestra should I apply for?

The information below shows which orchestra is likely to suit you best.*
Still not sure? - Simply contact us for a discussion.

* Please note: Grades are given as a GUIDE ONLY and do not guarantee a place. Once you have joined, promotions are based on tutor assessments, not music exam grades.

NYO - Nottingham Youth Orchestra

School year: 8-13
Woodwind Grade: 7+
Brass Grade: 7+
Strings Grade: 6+
Percussion Grade: 6+

School Yr 9 needed to go on tour.

More about NYO

NYIO - Nottingham Youth Intermediate Orchestra

School year: 6-13
Woodwind Grade: 6+
Brass Grade: 5+
Strings Grade: 4+
Percussion Grade: 4+

More about NYIO

NYTO - Nottingham Youth Training Orchestra

School year: 4-9
Woodwind Grade: 3+
Brass Grade: 3+
Strings Grade: 2+
Percussion Grade: 2+

More about NYTO

NYJO 1 - Nottingham Youth Jazz Orchestra Big Band

School year: 9+
Woodwind Grade: 5-6+
Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Brass Grade: 5-6+
Trumpet, Trombone
Strings Grade: 5-6+
Electric Guitar, Electric & Acoustic Bass
Percussion Grade: 5-6+
Drums, Piano, Vocal

More about NYJO

NYJO 2 - Nottingham Youth Jazz Orchestra Intermediate Band

School year: 7+
Woodwind Grade: 3-4
Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Brass Grade: 3-4
Trumpet, Trombone
Strings Grade: 3-4
Electric Guitar, Electric & Acoustic Bass
Percussion Grade: 3-4
Drums, Piano, Vocal

More about NYJO

Why students love NYO

“I would highly recommend joining! NYO has been an amazing eight-year experience across all three orchestras.”

— Lucy, violinist

“NYO supports playing at a higher level and I’ve progressed as a player, also tuck shop.”

— Oliver, cello

“The tours - visiting beautiful places with the best people and performing to full audiences.”

— Teah & Maya, clarinettists

“Things you fear often turn out to be the best experiences of your life.”

— Teah, clarinet
nyo sheku violins rehearsal 16

“Nottingham Youth Orchestra, Intermediate and Training Orchestras all played a really important part in my training as a musician. I began in Training Orchestra, alongside my sister, Isata and brother, Braimah. It was a revelation. I learned so much and had a lot of fun. I moved up to the Intermediate Orchestra, and loved the experience of being in both orchestras, making friends, learning repertoire and developing skills.”

— Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE, 2022
sheku kanneh mason cello nyo rehearsal

Are you a music teacher?

See how NYO can help you engage and develop your students through exposure to a wide variety of music.

What NYO offers teachers

Got more questions?

If you've got more questions first try our joining FAQ page to see if the answers are there. Still can't find an answer then simply contact us with your query.