What is the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain?
Q: What is the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain?
A: The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO) is an orchestra for young musicians in the United Kingdom. It consists of members aged between 13 and 19 years old and has about 150 players.
Q: What qualifications do you need to join the NYO?
A: To join the NYO, children have to be able to play their instrument very well, with at least Grade 8 Distinction standard, and they must also be good at sightreading so that they can learn quickly. They also have to pass an audition.
Q: Who started the National Youth Orchestra?
A: The National Youth Orchestra was started in 1947 by Ruth Railton (later Dame Ruth King). The current director is Sarah Alexander.
Q: Where does the orchestra meet?
A: The orchestra meets three times a year during school holidays at New Year, Easter and Summer for about two weeks. During these courses they rehearse together and then give one or two concerts in famous concert halls in Britain such as Barbican Hall in London, Symphony Hall in Birmingham, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, St David's Hall in Cardiff and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. Every year they play a Promenade Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Q: Who conducts their concerts?
A: Their concerts are always conducted by famous conductors who come to rehearse with them for a few days before each performance.
Q: What other activities do members take part in?
A: During their courses they also have time to play chamber music together which is taught by teachers who are famous musicians or young composers learning how to compose music under Paul Patterson's guidance. They also explore music from other cultures through Open Days for slightly younger children interested in exploring music further.
