About National Youth Orchestras of Scotland

The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland vision is of a Scotland where all communities access world-class ensemble youth music-making and share in its social, personal, and cultural benefits.

You can find out more about our history, or our programmes below, or on the specific pages of our website. 

Our Values

Ambition
We create inspirational, world-class, adventurous and fun musical experiences

Belonging
Our community is forward-thinking, accessible, inclusive, fair and diverse

Creativity
We collaborate, learn and innovate to develop as skilled creators and as people

Our Programmes

NYOS works with young musicians aged 8-25 living or studying in Scotland or with Scottish connections. Our activity takes place in locations across Scotland and provides foundational group music-making opportunities, inspirational orchestral experiences, and advanced artistic and career skills development. All our programmes are designed to develop musical, personal and social skills which have lifelong benefits, whatever the young person’s chosen career path.    

Foundations: Non-auditioned ensemble music-making projects for young people in the early to intermediate stages of instrumental study, in locations across the country during term-time and  summer holidays.    

Orchestras: Easter and Summer holiday residential orchestra courses in central Scotland for aspiring young musicians, leading to performances in Scotland’s top concert halls, the wider UK, and occasionally overseas.    

Futures: artistic collaborations, performance opportunities, and career skill development programmes for emerging young musicians

> View more information about our specific programmes

Our Patrons

HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh
Sir James MacMillan, CBE - Scottish Composer & Conductor
Nicola Benedetti, CBE - Scottish Violinist
Colin Currie - Scottish Percussionist