We're calling on young musicians across the UK to start their free musical adventure with NYO Inspire.

NYO Inspire is where teenage musicians find the free opportunities they need to grow, in music and in life. They accelerate as musicians with world-class tutoring and explore incredible music as part of the biggest orchestral music community they’ve ever seen.

Do you work with a musician who’s ready to turn their passion into progress?

Thank you for everything you do supporting young musicians to thrive. Please share this free opportunity with the musicians you work with!

We have created an e-flyer which you can share with your young people and parents. If you’d like printed posters or leaflets, just let us know and we’ll be happy to mail them to you.

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from 13-18 year-old musicians who play orchestral instruments at a level equivalent to Grade 6 and above. There is no need for any official grades, but applicants should be passionate about music and determined to take their playing to the next level.

We prioritise musicians with the greatest need for a place. It’s primarily for teenage musicians who go to state school, who are looking for more opportunities to grow. Full eligibility available on our website.

NYO Inspire events fill up fast, musicians should complete applications by 31 July to have the best chance of being invited to a local activity, for the first event of the year. Applications officially close 30 September 2025.

It’s completely free! Travel bursaries also available.

Brassroots Extravaganza returns this year on Tuesday 1 July 2025!

This workshop is for you if:

• You enjoy making music with other young people

• You are a Brass instrument learner who can play 5 notes or more!

When is it:

Tuesday 1 July 2025 at 4.45 - 5.45pm

Where is it:

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Hill Lane, Southampton, SO15 5RL

This event is FREE to attend.

How to sign up:

Reserve your space before Wednesday 25 June by using the QR code or button below:

This event is supported by Friends of Southampton Youth Brass Band.

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Fully funded places on CoMA's (Contemporary Music for All) upcoming Summer School, for 18-25 year-olds facing financial barriers.

CoMA will be holding our biennial Summer School at Keele University, 17th-23rd August 2025. It will be a fantastic, experimental week of music-making with a wide variety of sessions delivered by expert tutors. It is open to instrumentalists, singers and composers of all abilities aged 18+.

Due to some recent funding from the Finzi Trust, we are delighted to be able to support a limited number of fully funded places for 18-25 year-olds who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford to attend. This includes access to all activities plus food and accommodation for the full duration of the Summer School. We will also cover the costs of travel to and from the venue.

These places will be allocated to those who:

• can show that taking part in the Summer School would provide a significant opportunity: this will be based on the applicant's answers to questions in the application form about why they want to take part and what the impact would be 

• can confirm that the cost would have been a barrier and they would not have been able to take part without funding. For example: applicants are on a low or unreliable income, are unwaged, or are in receipt of benefits etc. We will not ask for evidence, we just ask people to be honest.

If this is something you would be interested in, please contact Francesca at francesca@coma.org by Monday 30th June for more information on how to apply.

As we are only able to offer a small number of funded places we regret we may not be able to support everyone who applies. We kindly ask for your understanding.

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FOR ALL: SUMMER SCHOOL

Sunday 17th – Saturday 23rd August 2025.

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fully funded places

Please contact francesca@coma.org

by Friday 20th June for more information on how to apply.

Contact Francesca

Now is your chance to take part in Orchestral Weekends or Orchestral Weeks in 2026!

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• Do you play an orchestral instrument?

• On 31st August 2025 will you be in the age range of 8-13?

You could audition to take part in Orchestral Weekends or Orchestral Weeks in 2026. Show us what you’ve got - we can’t wait to hear you!

How to apply for an audition:

Scroll down to the large buttons containing ‘Key Info: 2025-2026 Auditions’ & ‘Auditions Handbook’ towards the bottom of this news piece for further information on how to apply.

The ‘Key Info’ document contains some films you can watch to learn more about what to expect in the auditions.

Auditions will be open from Wednesday 14th May to the deadline at 9am on Thursday 31st July 2025. Find out more at www.nco.org.uk

At NCO, our purpose is to champion the life-changing power of music. This year almost 2000 children aged 8-14 connected with National Children’s Orchestras through:

• auditioned Orchestral Weeks and Weekends,

• non-auditioned Orchestral Days

• activities with schools, music education hubs and other partner organisations

• free tickets to concerts

We are interested to hear from all young musicians, whatever their background, schooling or circumstances. We are particularly keen to increase representation in our orchestras from groups currently under-represented in classical music and to increase the number of children from state schools.

All auditioned NCO activities include world class in-person orchestral coaching with incredible tutors, guest artists and conductors, as well as access to our online activities and resources. We welcome auditions for NCO 2026 from young musicians who:

• are aged 8-13 years old (as of 31st August 2025)

• play an orchestral instrument to the appropriate standard and

• are British citizens or are living/studying in the UK

Did you know?

• Children do not need to have taken any formal grade exams to be part of NCO, because offers of membership are based on their playing and musicality in their audition video.

• It is free to audition, and auditions are submitted via a pre-recorded video.

• If a family needs help with any stage of the auditions process, our friendly team are here to help and guide in whatever way we can.

Find out more about NCO and how to audition on our website: https://www.nco.org.uk/join-in/auditioning-for-nco or email auditions@nco.org.uk with any questions you may have. If you would like to know more about our expanding range of free, non-auditioned activities (partnerships with Music Hubs, Schools concerts and open access projects) please get in touch with me directly.

Play together. Be unstoppable.

Auditions Handbook

Full details on what it means to be part of NCO, the auditions process and how to apply!

View / Download

Key Info: 2025-2026 Auditions

Key info on auditioning for NCO.

VIEW / Download

TheatreForLife's Bringing The Outside In is having its first performances on Tuesday 15th July at MAST Mayflower Studios.

Thanks to the YouCAN scheme, we're able to offer free tickets to 11-25 year-olds from certain backgrounds and protected groups:

You will be eligible for free tickets if one of the below applies to you:

• you are receiving pupil premium

• you are receiving free school meals

• you are a young carer

• you receive a disability grant

• you have SEND (special educational and development needs)

• you are home educated

• you are supported by CAHMS

• you are in receipt of a school, college or university bursary

• you have a long-term health need

• you are not in employment, education or training

Any questions, please contact: michellesmith@theatreforlife.co.uk

If you are not eligible for free tickets but would still love to attend, you can purchase tickets here: Bringing the Outside In | Mayflower

The show is a wonderful blend of multimedia (music, puppetry, visual storytelling):

Amber is alone. She’s not turned up for the first day of her final year of sixth form. She’s terrified of the climate crisis, and everyone knows it. Enter Yerna – a three thousand year old “giant” she accidentally summons, who turns her stuffy flat into a forest oasis. But can their intentions be trusted? What can an ancient story teach a girl that she doesn’t already know?  Bringing The Outside In is a soul-stirring exploration of fear, hope, and the importance of community in a changing world.

Sign up for free tickets via the button below!

FREE TICKETS - BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN

Use the button below and fill out the form to sign up for free tickets!

SIGN UP NOW

Join members of BSO [Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra] Voices in a day of singing fun, finishing with an informal concert joined by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The day features songs from some of the greatest Broadway and West End hits of all time.

Who can take part: You don’t need to be in a choir or even read music as we can provide teach tracks for people who register in advance.

When is it: Sunday 3rd August

Where is it: O2 Guildhall Southampton

Ticket Costing:

Full BSO Voices term - 8 rehearsals (starting 4 June) £75 or £90 (with donation)

On the day fee - £15 (£10 under 18s)

Concert ticket for friends and family - £8 (£6 under 18s)

Schedule:

9.45am - registration

10.15am - 12.30pm - morning session

1.15 - 2.30pm - afternoon session

3.00 - 5.00pm - full rehearsal with BSO

5.30pm - concert (about 50mins of music in total)

How to book:

Book online via the button below, at bsolive.com, or call 01202 669925.

BSO VOICES

BSO Voices is a vibrant community choir, celebrating music through the joy of singing.

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BIG BSO VOICEs SINGALONG

Sunday 3rd August at O2 Guildhall Southampton

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The National Youth Orchestra open applications for the Orchestra of 2026!

Playing in NYO is the greatest adventure teenagers can have through playing and sharing music. You’ll soar in your musical development. Perform on iconic stages. Master new music and new ideas. And play your part as an inspirational changemaker for other young people.

Imagine taking your seat in this cutting-edge orchestra, performing in amazing spaces, inspired by the awesome people around you and inspiring others too. It’s a challenge but we’ll support you every step of the way. It takes serious preparation but it’s seriously rewarding. 

As part of the Orchestra you’ll find a place to shape your world through music. You’ll soar in your musical development, discover new music and new ideas, and play your part as an inspirational role model for other young people.  

Applications for the Orchestra of 2026 are open. Apply by 19 May 9am. 

Join the Nyo

Find out full details and how to apply via the button below.

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