In October 2025, NYOS Engage headed east to Dundee. Co-delivered with the Dundee City Instrumental Music Services, 40 young people from local schools are currently participating in this orchestral music programme.

Supported by an expert team of tutors and guided by Derrick Morgan, recent Assistant Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), this dedicated young cohort will perform movements from Shostakovich 10, Dvořák 9, and von Martínez’s Sinfonia in C.

Stay tuned for more updates from Engage in Dundee!

In September 2023, NYOS launched NYOS Engage, a co-delivered project with the East Lothian Council Instrumental Music Service, where young people from 26 local schools were able to come together and play music in an orchestral setting.

Jonathan Gawn, Team Manager at East Lothian Council's IMS said:

It is a fantastic opportunity for the young people to work as part of a progressive project. We’re lucky to have a tremendous tutor team in East Lothian, but to strengthen that with the breadth and depth of talent of NYOS tutors is really important for us, and today’s first sharing performance is testament to that. I think that NYOS are in a really unique position as ambassadors for youth music-making in Scotland to lead the way and pioneer new projects like NYOS Engage and find new ways for young people to get involved with orchestral music.  

We were delighted to bring NYOS Engage to Dumfries & Galloway in September 2024, working with 60 young musicians from across the area with the help of the fantastic IMS tutors.

These young musicians got to develop their skills and confidence playing in an orchestra - many of them for the first time! The end result was a rousing performance for family and friends, featuring 'Rondeau' from Purcell's Abdelazar, Florence Price's Juba Dance and the theme from Doctor Who!

NYOS Engage took Ayrshire by storm in 2025, first heading to East Ayrshire in May, where we welcomed young people from across 19 local schools. There were lots of classic favourites to get to grips with, including Beauty and the Beast, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the theme from Wallace and Gromit!

"My son had a great time at NYOS Engage and his confidence definitely increased. He loved being part of the final ensemble to show off his learning!" - Parent, East Ayrshire

Nearly 100 young musicians from the length and breadth of North Ayrshire got to join in on the fun of NYOS Engage in May 2025. The orchestra learned the ins and outs of familiar pieces like Sword Dance by Bob Phillips and Sibelius' Finlandia, while our string and wind ensembles showed off everything they had learned during our sessions in Garnock. 

"It was a really wonderful experience. It is so fantastic that it can be offered to all young musicians in the area for free." - Parent, North Ayrshire