Founded in 1995, the National Youth String Orchestra is one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious training organisations for young string players, providing specialist, quality training for talented musicians up to the age of 21 and experience in the art of public performance, in the UK and overseas. Recent concerts include performances of Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro at the Cambridge Summer Music and Three Choirs Festivals.

Young string players from all over the UK come together to take part in the orchestra, following auditions each autumn. NYSO’s outstanding characteristic is the standard of coaching from Music Director Damian Iorio and a dedicated team of professional musicians.

The orchestra’s principal patron was for many years Sir Neville Marriner CH CBE, who conducted the orchestra on many occasions, including 10th and 15th anniversary concerts in London, and concerts in Capri and Ischia, Italy, at the invitation of the William Walton Trust at La Mortella.

The talented young musicians of the National Youth String Orchestra, comprised of auditioned players up to the age of 21 from all over the UK, perform at Kings Place at the close of their summer course, in an inspiring programme featuring Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony.