SCHOOLS INVITATION - Be Part of Nottingham Youth Orchestra's 40th Anniversary Celebration!
We're inviting schools to join us for an unforgettable evening of live music, audience participation and celebration as Nottingham Youth Orchestra marks its 40th Anniversary 6pm Saturday 28th November 2026 at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall.
To help as many young people as possible experience the excitement of a live orchestra, we are delighted to offer FREE tickets for school groups.
This is more than a concert - with giant live screens throughout the performance, pupils will get a close-up view of the musicians, instruments and conductors in action, bringing the energy and excitement of orchestral music right into the audience.
NYO would love it if the next generation of youngsters could be involved too!
Your Pupils Can Be Part of the Show!
We've planned several exciting opportunities for children to join in and become part of the performance.
Shake It Off by Taylor Swift Performed by Nottingham Youth Training Orchestra, our youngest musicians.
When the music starts, we want the audience on their feet! Pupils are invited to: Sing and dance along; join in with small hand percussion such as shaky eggs.
Lion King and ABBA singalong Performed by Nottingham Youth Training Orchestra. This is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to sing with a live orchestra. We'll provide: a recording of the music so classes can practise beforehand; lyric sheet with all the words (both available in September)
At the concert lyrics will appear on the giant screen, pupils can sing along with a live orchestra and other participating young people. Schools' small hand percussion instruments are welcome!
Into the Storm by Robert W. Smith Let your pupils' creativity take centre stage!
Children are invited to create artwork inspired by storms, thunder, wind, rain and dramatic weather. Submitted artwork could then be featured on the giant screens during the performance, allowing pupils to see their work become part of a live concert experience.
Could Your Pupils Be on the Big Screen?
For schools that would like to be even more involved, we may be able to arrange for participating pupils to appear on our live concert screens during some of the audience participation moments, helping them feel part of this landmark celebration.
We'd Love to Welcome You! If your school would like to join us, we'd be delighted to reserve free tickets for your group. It would be helpful to know when you expect to be able to confirm numbers, ideally during the Autumn Term.
To reserve FREE tickets for your school group, please contact: pauladjwatt@gmail.com with the number of pupils and staff attending.
For full concert information and details of FREE tickets & Souvenir Programme for all under 18s (children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult) go to:
https://www.nottinghamyouthorchestra.org/concerts/the-nyo-40th-anniversary-celebration-concert
All Tickets include a special SOUVENIR PROGRAMME
FREE Tickets for Primary-Age Children & up to and including all Teens
FREE Tickets for School Groups (up to 20 free tickets + support staff)
All other tickets: Adult seats £22.50 each.
Discover why NYO is ‘where young musicians shine’...
The whole concert is an ideal opportunity for youngsters to experience a live orchestral concert given by their peers. This is a concert packed with variety...
Alongside the audience participation opportunities, pupils will experience an exciting musical journey featuring classical favourites, film music, jazz, contemporary hits and performances from Nottingham's talented young musicians. Discover why NYO is ‘where young musicians shine’ and immerse in a programme of youthful exuberance including classical masterpieces (e.g. Prokofiev Lieutenant Kijé Suite) and famous Nottingham violin soloist Braimah Kanneh-Mason (Chineke!, Clean Bandit, BBC Proms) who will perform one of his favourite concertos.
From NYO’s young Training Orchestra where youngsters discover the joys of making music together, through Intermediate Orchestra where youngsters build confidence in their playing, to the senior Nottingham Youth Orchestra, which is often the springboard to a lifetime of music involvement, plus the high standard of playing by NYJO our enthusiastic jazz orchestra - you’ll come away having been part of NYO ‘Where Young Musicians Shine’ as they look ahead to their next 40 years of remarkable music making!
Perfect for Schools
All audience participation activities take place in the first half of the concert, meaning pupils' involvement will be complete by approximately 7:15pm.
The concert continues after the interval and finishes at approximately 8:45pm, giving schools flexibility to decide whether pupils stay for the full event.
Come and celebrate 40 years of Nottingham Youth Orchestra with an evening of music, creativity, participation and inspiration. We hope your pupils will be part of it!
