Orchestral Weeks

What are auditioned Orchestral Weeks?

During Orchestral Weeks young musicians aged 11-14 take their playing to another level, rehearsing and performing in a full symphony orchestra. They discover incredible music with our world class music team, experts in orchestral training. They take part in creative sessions with composers to collaborate and write their own music. They learn how to look after their bodies and minds with experts in sports, psychology and fitness.

There’s also down time, where they get to know their fellow young musicians and make friends for life. They are cared for brilliantly by our trained Support Team and in line with our robust safeguarding policy.

The residential week culminates in a public concert in one of the UK’s most prestigious concert halls.

Orchestral Weeks are supported by year-round access to online resources and events to prepare young musicians for in-person activity – particularly if they haven’t been away from home before – and to enrich their musical learning.

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Meet friends,

make music, have fun. 

Who can take part?

The young musicians who take part in our Orchestral Weeks are some of the most remarkable young musicians in the UK.

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

We have suggested grade guidance from at least grade 4, to help give children and their families and 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 the instrument and the 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.

Information, FAQs & Auditions process

Each age-banded residential orchestra is allocated:

  • A week-long spring residential in March/April school holidays and
  • A week-long summer residential in July/August school holidays.

The Under 14 Orchestra also meet for a non-residential weekend in November.

We welcome auditions for Orchestral weeks from young musicians who:

  • Are aged 11-13 years old (as of 31st August in the year before the year they 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

“It’s the real thing. It’s like taking your child and enabling them to access a future that without NCO would be something existing in dreams, if at all.”

Parent of a Young Musician

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See our orchestras perform!

There’s nothing quite like watching young musicians.

Get involved by joining us at a concert hall near you.

Concerts