Aspiration and excellence

A route to orchestral ambition.

York Youth Orchestra gives young musicians from York and the surrounding area the opportunity to explore major orchestral repertoire alongside contemporary music and new work by living composers.

The full York Youth Orchestra performing for an audience in York

YYO is where musical progression becomes a shared orchestral experience: challenging repertoire, expert direction and the excitement of performing together.

Serious music. A welcoming orchestra.

The orchestra brings together committed young players at an advanced stage of their development. Rehearsals lead to substantial performances at venues including Selby Abbey, The Milton Rooms, Creative Centre at York St John University and Tadcaster Riley Smith Hall, while introducing players to both established repertoire and new musical ideas.

The annual programme may include full-orchestra concerts, chamber performances and opportunities for individual players and sections to perform as soloists.

York Music Centre members can make YYO part of a wider weekly musical life, with clear progression from early ensembles towards ambitious orchestral playing.

A route to excellence
Ambition, achievement and high-quality orchestral performance.

Inside the orchestra

The full ensemble — and the players within it.

The wide view above shows the full York Youth Orchestra at Selby Abbey. These photographs show sections of the orchestra, an outreach performance with local primary pupils at Millthorpe School, and performances at York St John University Creative Centre and Tadcaster Riley Smith Hall.

York Youth Orchestra string players within the full orchestra at Selby Abbey
Strings within YYO at Selby Abbey
York Youth Orchestra wind players within the full orchestra at Selby Abbey
Wind and brass within YYO at Selby Abbey
York Youth Orchestra performing with local primary school pupils at Millthorpe School
YYO outreach with local primary pupils at Millthorpe School
York Youth Orchestra performing at York St John University Creative Centre
YYO at York St John University Creative Centre
York Youth Orchestra performing with a local dance school at Tadcaster Riley Smith Hall
YYO with a local dance school at Tadcaster Riley Smith Hall

Watch and listen

See the orchestra in performance.

These films and concert playlists are from York Music Education's existing YYO video collection.

About York Youth Orchestra

York Youth Orchestra performance playlist

More York Youth Orchestra performances

York Youth Orchestra video archive

Visit York Music Education on YouTube

Your next step

Ready for the next orchestral challenge?

Explore current YYO enrolment options through SpeedAdmin, or contact our team to discuss whether the orchestra is the right next step.