Some of our wonderful youth music ensembles are looking for new members! Would you like to join a group of young people making and performing music?

Acorn Strings is our initial string group for violin, viola, cello and double bass.

They are open to new members!

Rehearsals: Monday 4.30 –5.15pm at Cantell School, Violet Road, Southampton, SO16 3GJ

Termly membership fee: £70

Groove Syndicate is our initial youth Rock & Pop Band!

They are looking for a Bass Guitar player to join them, at grade 3 standard & above.

Rehearsals: Every Wednesday 4.45 -5 .45pm during term time at Cantell School.

Studio Band is our grade 6+ Jazz Group!

They are looking for the following new members:

• Trombone Player

• Drum Kit Player (grade 6 & above)

Rehearsals: Fortnightly Saturdays at 9.45 - 11.45am at Taunton College.

To register your interest in joining one of these groups, please email: music@siowmusic.org

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After the success of our first Podcast making session and youth consultation, Philippa is running another session at Playland in Portsmouth!

This will take place at Playland at 193 Commercial Rd, PO1 4BD on Wednesday 17th June from 6pm - 8pm.

Participants will have the opportunity to record a podcast on the theme of music, which will then be edited and uploaded to our YouTube channel. The session is open to anyone 18 or under who's willing to chat about music. Interested young people can sign up to attend here - please do this by 15th June.

Podcast Making

17th June 2026 at 6-8pm

at Playland, 193 Commercial Road,

Portsmouth, PO1 4BD

SIGN UP NOW

In September 2026, the University of Southampton will host The British Science Festival 2026. This annual event which moves around the country each year, will take place at the University of Southampton, Highfield Campus and in the city centre.

Turner Sims, the University of Southampton’s music venue, is collaborating with the Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute on a multi-faceted project based on the work of four researchers:

• Professor Clive Trueman: the study of fish otoliths (the inner ear of the fish) and how this records the age of a fish and events in its life

• Jacob Kleboe, PhD Researcher: micro-plastic in coral 

• Amy Feakes, PhD Researcher & DoctorJulie Mestre: the feeding patterns of whales in the Antarctic

• Professor Helen Farr: maritime movement of people in deep time (65,000 years ago)

Marine Remix on Friday 18 September 2026, 7.30–9.30pm at the Stage Door

Marine Remix will showcase the next generation of electronic music producers. Marine Remixed will be co-curated and promoted by Turner Sims’ Assistant Producers – a group of young people developing skills in programming, producing and promotion.

Young producers and future electronic performers have two exciting opportunities to take part:

Young musicians gathered for this year’s Isle of Wight Recorder Extravaganza, part of the wider Fairest Isle Festival celebration of 16th and 17th century music taking place across venues around the Island in May.

Hosted at Queensgate Primary School, the concert showcased the remarkable progress of children from schools across the South Coast who have been learning the recorder through a collaborative education initiative led by Southampton & Isle of Wight Music, Fairest Isle Festival and the early music ensemble Palisander.

Speaking at the event, Nia Collins of Southampton & Isle of Wight Music said 

“We are delighted to partner with the festival and Palisander for a second year, helping to develop a strand of musical learning centred around the recorder.

The recorder is so accessible and such a great gateway into instrumental and ensemble playing.  This afternoon audiences heard just how adaptable and varied the instrument can be — from soundscapes to recorders of all shapes and sizes and sounds. In the best possible way, I’m quite certain you won’t hear anything like this again for a very long time!”

The project was supported through funding from the Worshipful Company of Turners alongside support from the music hub, Fairest Isle Festival, the Walter Bergmann Fund and Palisander’s funders. Together, the organisations commissioned a new songbook and teaching resource featuring music inspired by locations across the Isle of Wight, written by composer Miriam Monaghan.

The initiative also included teacher training sessions reaching 15 schools across the South Coast and an estimated 2,000 children, followed by additional workshops delivered in schools by music hub practitioners and visiting musicians.

Organisers hope the resources created through the programme will continue to benefit schools for years to come.  The songs will also be featured as part of the music hub’s Songs of Place strand in Creative Island’s Island-wide initiative Can You Hear Us?  Celebrating Island culture and featuring in our Spotify playlist of songs written and performed by young Island musicians in Autumn 2026.

Special thanks were given to Queensgate Primary School and Mrs Riches for hosting and coordinating the event.

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We're excited to announce the next set of dates for our consultation sessions. The sessions are open to anyone under the age of 18 who's open to discussing music with Philippa, our Signposting & Youth Governance Worker.

The next sessions will be:

Wednesday 3rd June - Puppet-making 18:30 - 20:00

Wednesday 24th June - Podcast 17:30 - 19:00 

Both will take place at our recording studio in Mayflower Studios (142 - 144 Above Bar St, Southampton SO14 7DU).

Puppet Making

During this session, we'll teach you to build a sock puppet and ask that you build a music figure that's relevant to you - perhaps a musician, a singer-songwriter, a character from a musical or someone else?

3rd June 2026, 6.30 - 8.00pm

Find out More

Podcast session

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at hosting a podcast? Or just being a guest? However you feel, we want to invite you to create your own podcast episode!

24th June 2026, 5.30 - 7.00pm

Find out More

To register your interest, and sign-up to attend, please fill in this form. 

Unfortunately, if you've already completed a form about the dates, this does not count as a signup. You will have to complete this new form so we know you're coming.

Feel free to sign-up to a session again; repeat attendees are very welcome! 

Finally, we're very excited to share the first episode of the Power Music podcast, which we recorded during our last session. You can find it below: 

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Embark on a musical journey back in time at the Fairest Isle Festival on the captivating Isle of Wight. Bathe in the opulence of a Venetian soundworld with voices and early instruments from the world’s top performers - on an island itself steeped in rich history. Below you can find out more about the workshops and events happening as part of this festival!

Recorder Extravaganza with Palisander (Monday 18th May 2026 4.30pm - 5.30pm)

Queensgate Primary School (KS1, KS2) in partnership with Fairest Isle Festival

SIOW Music have been providing CPD, resources, workshops and a performance event on the Isle of Wight! This massed performance event for Isle of Wight Schools will take place after school on Monday 18th May hosted by Queensgate Primary in East Cowes.  Young performers will have the opportunity to play alongside other school groups in a final performance of the Recorder Extravaganza project and hear incredible performances from Miriam and her recorder supergroup Palisander! 

WORKSHOP: LABORATORY OF LULLABIES (SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2026 10AM–11AM)

BAROQUE AND FOLK FUN - A FAMILY EVENT FOR ALL AGES - LED BY NAOMI BURRELL

Where: ASPIRE RYDE, DOVER STREET

As part of Fairest Isle Festival , come and join us for this unique experience that invites families to connect through the timeless tradition of lullabies. Whether you’re a parent with young children, a grandparent sharing cherished memories, an adult bringing an elderly relative, or friends looking for new ways to enjoy live music, we hope you find it soothing to enjoy together in the welcoming space of Aspire Ryde.

The ‘Laboratory of Lullabies’ features lullabies and ‘night-time’ music from baroque and folk traditions - to entertain adults and children alike. Led by Naomi Burrell who plays the baroque violin and sings, and joined by Sergio Bucheli, a fabulous lute player, they will bring Naomi’s recently

COME & PLAY: BAROQUE HITS WORKSHOP (SATURDAY 16TH MAY 2026 1:30PM–4:30PM)

AN INTRODUCTION TO BAROQUE STYLE FOR PLAYERS OF MODERN INSTRUMENTS LED BY NAOMI BURRELL AND KINGA UJSZASZI (VIOLINS)

Where: ST JOHN’S CHURCH, NEWPORT

Following last year’s successful event with Naomi Burrell, here’s another session for players of modern string and double reed instruments (at modern pitch) to dip their toe into playing baroque style (or styles - there are a lot of them!). With two expert professional players, enjoy finding a strong sense of dance and vivid colours in music by Corelli, Vivaldi and perhaps Purcell. Naomi Burrell and Kinga Ujszaszi are two of the busiest early violinists on the circuit. Involved in other events this weekend, you will enjoy the infectious energy they bring to this music.

The Vibe are launching a new series of free workshops at Turner Sims for 18-25 year olds who are interested in working in the creative industries.

This series of four workshops in April and May, taught by industry professionals including guests from Southbank Centre, Tim Hand Productions and Tomorrow’s Warriors, will introduce careers and skills in live music venues, including;

• Programming (21 April, 6pm) - more info here

• Technical production (23 April, 6pm) - more info here

• Marketing (11 May, 6pm) - more information here

• Event management (12 May, 6pm) - more information here

Booking: Workshops are booked individually so young people can mix and match the ones that interest them, or do all four!

Accessibility: Participants don’t need any prior experience and we can work with individuals to support any access needs. 

Further Opportunities: Young people who take part in at least one workshop you will have the opportunity to apply for a paid role supporting events at Turner Sims at the end of the workshop series. 

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Monty’s Community Hub in Sholing are delivering a Wellbeing Music Workshop for young people aged 11–18 on Saturday 21st March 2026, 1pm–4pm.

The session is part of Sara’s (Girls Make Music Facilitator) new creative wellbeing practice How To Hear Yourself, which uses music, sound and creative exploration to help young people build confidence, express themselves, and connect with their emotions in a supportive environment.

During the workshop participants will have the opportunity to:

• Explore sounds and samples through listening activities

• Experiment with instruments, voice and recording

• Create their own tracks or soundscapes using accessible music software

• Collaborate with others and try out creative ideas in a relaxed setting

No previous musical experience is required. The workshop is designed to be very accessible with a low barrier to entry, and focuses on creativity, curiosity and self-expression rather than technical ability. Participants are welcome to bring any instruments if they wish.

 Location: Monty’s Community Hub, Sholing
 Date: Saturday 21st March 2026
 Time: 1pm – 4pm (lunch included – pizza)
 Ages: 11–18

Places are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

The link to sign up is here: https://forms.gle/XkvSiMD7F3oiUyt1A

Applications are now live until 31 March 2026 to apply for the Bournemouth's National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) Ensemble from September 2026.

We encourage applications from 11–25-year-old disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled musicians. We play a mixture of acoustic, electronic and accessible instruments and there is no requirement to read music or have taken graded exams. We also welcome young disabled people with musical potential who might not yet play an instrument but control eye gaze technology or head trackers in a way that could transfer to playing the Clarion accessible instrument. Rehearsals take place roughly once a month, starting from September 2026 to June 2027 on Saturdays. 

For more information, you can read the 2026 Applicant's Information Pack to get an idea of what being part of a Regional NOYO Ensemble is like. Also, more information is listed on the NOYO website: Apply now to join NOYO from September 2026 - National Open Youth Orchestra

To apply, please fill out the application form here. 

As part of our commitment to youth voice, we are running 3 sessions over the next few months.

These are creative consultations open to anyone up to the age of 18 interested in music. Anyone attending is invited to bring along friends. We'll use the time to do a fun activity and discuss music: from genre-preferences to career goals. 

All sessions will take place at our space in Mayflower Studios (142 Above Bar St, SO14 7BL) with lots of snacks! This is a great opportunity to take part in a fun and free creative activity, and visit our recording space. 

These sessions will be led by Philippa! (Signposting and Youth Governance Worker for South Coast Music Partnership)

17/02/26 - Collage evening:

Come along for the chance to chill out and create a personalised collage while we chat about your music progression. There'll be snacks, music (submit song choices on the sign-up sheet) and the chance to take home your creation.

10/03/26 - Puppet-making session:

Could you create Sockbrina Carpenter, Jimi Handrix, or Elphaba's friend Soq? During this session, we'll teach you to build a sock puppet and ask that you build a music figure that's relevant to you - perhaps a musician, a singer-songwriter, a character from a musical or someone else? I look forward to finding out who you create and why!

16/03/26 -  Podcast recording:

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at hosting a podcast? Or just being a guest? However you feel, we want to invite you to create your own podcast episode! We'd like your podcast to be themed around music as a career but the rest is up to you, in return you'll be sent the final episode fully edited. 

If any of this is of interest to you please sign up here or by scanning the QR code on the attached poster. Come along to as many sessions as you'd like! 

Do you play a brass instrument? Can you play 5 notes or more? Do you enjoy making music others? Then this is the group for you!

Brassroots is the beginner brass ensemble in Southampton, run by Southampton & IOW Music with funding from the Friends of Southampton Youth Brass Band.

Rehearsals will take place at:

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College

on Tuesdays (5-6pm) during term time

Membership fee:  £60 per term

Up to 3 free taster rehearsals

 For further information and to sign up, please use contact details below:

music@siowmusic.org

023 8083 3648

Next autumn, the Isle of Wight celebrates all that the Island is with “Can You Hear Us?”, a six-week celebration of creativity and culture taking place across the Island funded by Arts Council England. 

Our Partners at Creative Island are offering micro-grants and a fully funded leadership programme as part of this celebration.

Micro-Grants

“Can You Hear Us?” micro-grants programme is offering 20-25 grants of between £500 - £1,000 to support local groups to deliver creative activity, anywhere on the Isle of Wight, between March and October 2026. 

Deadline: 30 January 2026, 11.59pm

Full information on how to apply and FAQs can be found on Creative Islands’ website here.

Cultural Leadership Programme

As part of “Can You Hear Us?”, Creative Island are running a fully funded leadership programme for 12 individuals on the Isle of Wight from March to October 2026.

Who is it for?

We are looking for participants who want to make a positive difference to life on the Island and who are ready to grow and develop their skills as leaders.

You might not think of yourself as a leader, or feel that the word fits, but you might be someone who brings people together, makes things happen, or has a vision for how culture on the Island could grow and evolve.

Participants might include freelancers, artists and people working within organisations.

When we talk about culture, we mean the creative, heritage, environmental, social, education and library sectors, as well as the many community spaces where people come together, get involved and share what matters to them

Deadline: 25 January 2026, 11.59pm

Full details on what to expect and how to apply can be found here.

Micro Grants

Between £500 - £1,000 to support local groups to deliver creative activity on the Isle of Wight, between March & October 2026. 

Deadline: 30 January 2026, 11.59pm

APPLY NOW

Cultural Leadership Programme

We are looking for participants who want to make a positive difference to life on the Island and who are ready to grow and develop their skills as leaders.

Deadline: 25 January 2026, 11.59pm

apply now

In 2026, SIOW Music will be delivering ‘Song of Place’ an exciting song-writing project for Island of Culture on the Isle of Wight.

Song of Place is a cross-generational creative music project which will allow young people and communities across the Island to become the lead artistic voice in celebrating Island music and finding new audiences.  Multiple groups will delve into different aspects of the island drawing inspiration from the environment, island life and the trailblazing communities that exist here, creating songs and soundscapes. 

Who will we be reaching with this project?

Song-writing project work will intersect with a range of cross arts cultural partners and local ensembles (brass and marching bands, choirs, Folk on the Wight, carnivals) alongside schools, young people and their families with a particular focus on working in areas of the island in the highest indices of deprivation and those most unable or unlikely to access music making. 

We will aim to reach over 3500 children and young people (half the school age population) with song-writing workshops and activities during 2026 across all phases from Early Years to HE including SEND and AP settings. 

Activity will also take place in hyperlocal areas of the Island, in school settings, village halls, libraries and community spaces, inviting the Island’s amateur musicians to collaborate with nationally significant musicians and composers and to intermingle with communities not normally connected with music.  Environmental sounds will be sampled from the Island’s mosaic of habitats and represented as soundscapes.

Exciting Outcomes & Working Together

A contemporary composer will be commissioned to write an ambitious new commission featuring the Island’s amateur ensembles and children.  All the project strands will come together in a curated and digitally distributed Island of Culture album and playlist. 

The content will be recorded, mixed and mastered during delivery in 2026 and extracts and the World Premiere will be performed at a one-of-a-kind large-scale event in Ventnor Exchange’s Big Top during Autumn 2026. 

The project work, performance and recordings will feature local professional and amateur musicians and groups, schools, bedroom producers, emerging talent, young people and community groups, all working together to produce an ambitious and lasting work listened to, performed and remembered for years to come.

Listen on

Vectis Radio

Nia chats to Macca on Vectis Radio about the upcoming project! Listen from about 6 minutes into the episode.

Listen Here

Bournemouth NOYO are calling out to musicians aged between 11-25 years old who may be interested in joining the Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble. 

Join the National Open Youth Orchestra’s Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble where brilliant disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled musicians rehearse and perform together - on acoustic, electronic and accessible instruments.

• Develop your musical skills within a pioneering inclusive ensemble.

• We learn music not only from notation, but also by ear and through improvisation.

Come to our Bournemouth Open Rehearsals on Saturday 10 and Saturday 31 January 2026 from 1pm - 4pm at The Spire, Poole (BH15 1DF) - find out more at noyo.org.uk

These are great opportunities to watch a Bournemouth NOYO rehearsal, meet the Music Leaders and other local musicians, and ask any questions they might have before applying for an audition.

Applications for regional auditions will be from Saturday 14 February to Tuesday 31 March 2026.

For more information about the Open Rehearsals, please see below: 

NOYO's website - Come to our 2026 Open Rehearsals! - National Open Youth Orchestra

BSO's  website - Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble

Find out more about applying to be part of the ensemble.

Find Out More

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SoundStorm’s exciting annual battle of the bands is launching for 2026 and we are super excited to be opening the invite to bands across the South Coast Music Partnership for the very first time!

BandStorm gives young bands aged 13 – 18, the opportunity to experience an audition, (often for the very first time), receive positive and constructive feedback on their performance skills from professional musicians, in state-of-the-art specialist facilities at BAMM (Bournemouth Academy of Modern Music).

Bands compete for a place in the Final, which is held at The Old Fire Station, in Bournemouth, a professional live music venue, where some great prizes are up for grabs too as a bonus!

Bands are supported with sound engineers and the SoundStorm team to ensure the whole process is a positive experience where they feel encouraged and supported in their musical journey.

Check out the feature film from last year’s competition where we followed the bands’ journey BandStorm 2025.

Who can apply:

• We welcome bands from any experience level and any genre.

• young bands aged 13 – 18

• from Southampton, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight.

Applications open: 9am Friday 24th October.

Deadline: 12/12/2025

Any questions can come direct to Jo.farley@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Please check out the BandStorm page for full details of what’s involved via the button below.

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With the new term starting in September, many workshops, classes & groups are starting up again. Below is a breakdown of some upcoming offerings from SIOW Music and our Partners!

Don’t miss your chance to book on to classes including music making, song-writing, singing, creative collaborations and dance!

Digital Native Artist Groups from SIOW Music:

Mix’Zine - A conected commnity for music, events and support - created by young people for young people. Monthly Mondays from 4.30 - 6.00pm.

Music Production Collective - Monthly group sessions for collaborations among young beat makers, producers and songwriters. Mondays from 4.30 - 6.00pm.

Flow - Twice monthly rap group session for young rappers - no experience necessary! Saturdays from 10.30am - 12.00pm.

Girls Make Music is taking a short break, but will be returning soon! Keep an eye out for updates.

All of these sessions are FREE to attend, with support from Youth Music. They take place at our Music Studio, in Mayflower Studios.

See below for further information on our poster and future dates on the events calendar.

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Workshops, classes & groups from our Partners:

On the Isle of Wight

Songwriters Den - Learn different writing techniques, find out how to create melodies, chord progressions, try out new instruments, perform your songs at events & festivals!

£28 per month, September - July, half price for anyone in receipt of support services. These sessions take place at Newport Congregational Church.

Contact islandmusicmakers@gmail.com to book your space for September 2025.

In Southampton

St Michaels & All Angels’ Junior Choir - Junior Choir is a wonderful opportunity for children in years 3 - 9 to learn music, practice with friends and sing at monthly services!

Practice is on Wednesday evenings during term time at 6.30 - 7.45pm. Find out more and fill in the application form to join here.

St Michaels are also hosting a Half-term Singing Event on Wednesday 29th October from 1.30 - 5.00pm. You can reserve a space here.

Music and Dance classes by ArtAsia - Art Asia runs a thriving programme of weekly music and dance classes in Southampton. From Carnatic Music to Bollywood Dance!

Run by professional practitioners, we aim to provide the most authentic, high quality classes in the region.

Boost your confidence, learn something new, keep fit with classes from professional tutors in Southampton.

Join at the start of term. New timetables are available and booking is open. You can find more information on ArtAsia’s music and dance classes and Book via their website.

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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?

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 via the button below.

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.

FIND OUT MORE

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