Orchestral Weekends

What are auditioned Orchestral Weekends?

At Orchestral Weekends young musicians aged 8-14 discover the joy of making orchestral music with their peers in full orchestral rehearsals and sectionals. They play an incredible range of well-known music, newly discovered pieces, and new compositions written specifically for our young musicians. and their musical development is supported by our world class tutor team.

Specially themed programmes also feature visits from guest artists like Jess Gillam, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Simmy Singh and Nate Holder and young musicians both play alongside them and get to know them in a Q&A.

Each non-residential weekend culminates in a celebratory sharing concert for family and friends.

As members across the year, young musicians make friends and develop their playing, as well as being supported by year-round access to online resources and events to prepare young musicians for in-person activity and to enrich their musical learning.

They are cared for brilliantly by our trained Support Team and in line with our robust safeguarding policy.

Push yourself

Surprise yourself.

Enjoy yourself.

Who can take part?

The young musicians who take part in our Orchestral Weekends might have played in orchestras or ensembles before, or it might be their first experience playing in an orchestra.

Everyone does an audition to apply for a place in Orchestral Weekends – auditions are free and are by video recording.

We have suggested grade guidance from at least grade 3, to help give children and their families an idea of the level of playing young musicians need to be at in order to gain a place and enjoy taking part. This can depend on instrument and age of the young musician, and they do not need to have taken the exams, as offers are based on their playing and musicality in their audition.

There are five auditioned regional orchestras where young musicians come together in a venue in the region closest to their home town, for two non-residential orchestral weekends – one weekend in the spring (February or March) and one in the summer (June). They take place in the North West, the Midlands, at two venues in London, for the first time in the South West for 2027 and beyond. If you live outside those regions, you will be offered a place at the activity closest to you.

The weekends involve non-residential orchestral activities bringing together musicians of mixed ability and from ages 8-14. In 2026, this included many playing at the entry grades of 3/4, many at the higher grades of 7/8 and many in-between! We are so excited to hear young musicians play and to shape the programme according to those who audition. We create parts of different difficulties so everyone can have a meaningful experience that is appropriate to them. The opportunities are exciting here for all players – including peer-to-peer learning and inspiration, building strong orchestral and collaborative players.

You can find membership fees on this page and full financial support is available.

Information, FAQs & Auditions process

We welcome auditions for Orchestral Weekends from young musicians who:

Are aged 8-13 years old (as of 31st August in the year before the year you are auditioning for) and
Play an orchestral instrument to the appropriate standard and
Are British citizens or are living/studying in the UK (please check with us if you are unsure)

To take part in NCO there are Membership fees. We are pleased to offer financial support to help ensure that any young musician, no matter their background or circumstance, has the opportunity to accept their offer of a place in NCO.

You can find detailed information on membership fees and financial support in our auditions information, via How to Audition below.

Fees and Financial Support

Auditions are free and submitted via video. Auditions for 2027 orchestras will open in mid May 2026.

Audition now

Benefits of taking part

Music is just the beginning. Through hard work and dedication, NCO young musicians develop their extraordinary musical abilities – but that’s not all. They also build confidence, resilience and teamwork. Skills for life, no matter where their journey takes them.

Discover more about our ambition, mission and values in About Us.

“NCO’s THE place to be! You make a lot of friends, music, and more! My other favourite thing about NCO is that the conductors are very funny and kind.”

Young Musician

“My two sons were noticeably calmer and happier after a weekend of music! We talked in the car about how they had used a different part of their brain all weekend and you could really see it in their behaviour. We have a saying in our house - music is more important than maths!”

Parent of a Young Musician