Junior Orchestra
Overview
NYOS Junior Orchestra is for ambitious young musicians aged 8 and over. This is also the first step of the orchestral pathway for aspiring members of NYOS Senior Orchestra and NYOS Symphony Orchestra.
NYOS Junior Orchestra provides younger students with the opportunity to perform large-scale symphonic repertoire at top class venues.
Annual membership of NYOS Junior Orchestra includes residential courses in both spring and summer, followed by the opportunity to perform at prestigious venues across Scotland.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Patron - Nicola Benedetti CBE
World-famous violinist Nicola Benedetti has captivated audiences and critics across the globe with her musicality and poise. Fiercely committed to music education and to developing young talent. Nicola became Patron of NYOS Junior Orchestra in 2013.
Applications
Classical Applications are now closed and will open again in August 2022.
For late applications please email ensembles@nyos.co.uk.
Applications are invited from instrumentalists aged 8 and over with Scottish links i.e:
- Born in Scotland
- Living in Scotland
- Studying in Scotland
- or with Scottish Family.
Standard: ABRSM Grade 5 or equivalent (Qualification as a guide only and not essential)
Join our mailing list here to receive email reminders when applications open.
“Anthony Ritchie's 'Whalesong', a highly evocative piece, superbly played by the youngsters.”
Kieth Bruce, The Herald Scotland, July 2018
Performances
There are no forthcoming performances.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Summer Concert 2020
New Auditorium, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Conductor
Catherine Larsen-Maguire
Soloist
Iona McDonald (Violin)
Programme
This exciting year culminates with a performance of the complete Alexander Borodin’s Second Symphony, marking only the second time that NYOS Junior Orchestra has performed an entire symphony.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Spring Concert 2020
The Albert Halls, Stirling
Conductor
Catherine Larsen-Maguire
Programme
The spring concert opens with Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, composed for Heinrich Joseph Collin’s 1804 interpretation of the famous Greek tragedy.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Summer Concert 2019NYOS 40th Anniversary
Perth Concert Hall
Conductor
Natalia Luis-Bassa
Soloist
Mark James
Programme
Johannes Brahms, Hungarian Dance No.5
Alexander Arutiunian, Trumpet Concerto
William Walton, Crown Imperial
Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No.8
NYOS Junior Orchestra Spring Concert 2019NYOS 40th Anniversary
New Auditorium, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Conductor
Jon Hargreaves
Programme
We are thrilled to welcome conductor Jon Hargreaves to the podium this spring to lead our youngest members through an array of pieces chosen to introduce our players to some of the very best of the orchestral repertoire at this early stage in their musical lives as they perform as part of NYOS Junior Orchestra.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Summer ConcertThe Power of Nature
New Auditorium, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Conductor
Holly Mathieson
Soloist
Ben Burnley
Programme
This summer in Glasgow NYOS Junior Orchestra, conducted by Holly Mathieson present a programme sure to delight audiences of all ages.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Spring ConcertThe Power of Nature
The Albert Halls, Stirling
Conductor
Holly Mathieson
Programme
This spring in Stirling NYOS Junior Orchestra, conducted by Holly Mathieson present a programme full of natural wonder sure to delight audiences of all ages.
NYOS Junior Orchestra – Summer Concert
Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh
Conductor
Holly Mathieson
Soloist
Findlay Spence (cello)
Programme
Conductor Holly Mathieson once again takes charge of NYOS Junior Orchestra for its concert this summer at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Spring ConcertThe Americas
Stevenson Hall, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow
Conductor
Holly Mathieson
Programme
This spring, under the baton of conductor Holly Mathieson, NYOS Junior Orchestra presents a broad spectrum of music from North and South American composers – with music rarely heard in the UK or European concert halls – together with works by more prominent European composers inspired to celebrate the remarkable diversity of the Americas.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Summer Concert 2016
Perth Concert Hall
Conductor
Holly Mathieson
Soloist
Calum Tonner
Programme
This year we are delighted to welcome back Holly Mathieson for her second season as conductor of the Junior Orchestra and we look forward to another year of inspired performances.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Spring Concert 2016
Stevenson Hall, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow
Conductor
Holly Mathieson
Programme
In 2016 NYOS Junior Orchestra will perform a wonderfully rich programme of dance-infused repertoire from different countries including a range of ballet music such as Khachaturian’s Spartacus Ballet Suite No 2
NYOS Junior Orchestra Summer ConcertGreyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh
Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh
Conductor
Holly Mathieson
Soloist
Diana Sheach
Programme
This summer, conductor Holly Mathieson will once again conduct NYOS Junior Orchestra for its concert in July at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh.
Following its fantastic spring concert - at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - students, tutors and audience members alike were united in their praise of Holly and how she interacted and inspired the orchestra to deliver such a mature and precise performance.
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NYOS Junior OrchestraSpring Concert
Stevenson Hall, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Conductor
Holly Mathieson
Programme
This year's programme features music with a Scottish Connection, including Malcolm Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances and Claude Debussy’s Marche Ecossaise. NYOS Junior Orchestra will also perform Edvard Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, which is one of the BBC’s 10 Pieces.
NYOS Junior Orchestra Summer Concert, Perth Concert Hall
Perth Concert Hall
Conductor
Roland Kieft
Soloist
Jessica Coleman
Programme
NYOS Junior Orchestra celebrate the Commonwealth this summer in Perth with a programme including music by Bruch, Walton and Eric Coates.
Walton’s Crown Imperial Coronation March, a feature of Royal Nuptials in 1937, 1953 and 2011, revealed the remarkable quality of the horn section, and some fine brass playing.
Keith Bruce, The Herald Scotland, July 2019
ViewIt was followed by the UK premiere of Anthony Ritchie’s single-movement double bass concerto, Whalesong, with NYOS alumnus Ben Burley as soloist. A highly evocative piece, superbly played by the youngsters.”
Keith Bruce July 2018, The Herald Scotland
ViewWith conductor Holly Mathieson, now in her penultimate season with NYOS and soon to take up her new role as Assistant Conductor at the RSNO, the young musicians tore into the repertoire with their terrific discipline and bottomless musicianship unleashed in a tremendous account of Strauss’ Fledermaus Overture, brilliantly-characterised with all the push-me pull-you flexibility of pacing required to animate the piece.
Michael Tumelty, The Herald Scotland, 25 July 2016
View"LETS'S not stint in our praise of the National Youth Orchestra's Junior Orchestra.. ..Sunday afternoon's concert was deeply impressive."
Michael Tumelty, The Herald Scotland, 4 April, 2016
Download"...the Junior Orchestra of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland on Saturday was a phenomenal display of musicianship."
Michael Tumelty, The Herald Scotland, 12th July 2015
Download ViewA rather bizarre parallel flitted through my mind on Friday night as the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland's Junior Orchestra powered into the finale of Bruch's Violin Concerto with violinist Jessica Coleman as a richly-impassioned soloist.
Michael Tumelty, Herald Scotland
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