No items found.

National Youth Orchestra

We are committed to developing New Zealand’s young orchestral musicians through the NZSO National Youth Orchestra.

Formed in 1959, the National Youth Orchestra has played a vital role in providing unique opportunities for the country’s most gifted young orchestral performers. NYO players have the opportunity to learn from and perform with leading conductors, artists and musicians of the NZSO. Many have gone on to forge successful careers as orchestral players, soloists, chamber musicians and teachers.

The NYO consists of young musicians under the age of 25 who meet annually to rehearse and perform a large symphonic repertoire in Wellington over the course of a week. The musicians are selected by taped audition, and for many, this is the one occasion each year when they get to work with a full orchestra and professional conductors and soloists.

View concerts

Dates:
Sat 26 Jun – Sat 3 Jul

The 2027 NZSO National Youth Orchestra programme will be a landmark collaboration with the National Youth Brass Band (NYBB) and the New Zealand Youth Choir (NZYC), supported by the Aotearoa Choral Academy (ACA), and is the first National Youth Music Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand in over 40 years.

Over four days, each group presents its own concert, followed by a combined ensemble performing Walton’s fiery Belshazzar’s Feast and three new commissions featuring each of the ensembles.

The festival showcases the extraordinary talent of New Zealand’s finest young instrumentalists and vocalists, highlighting the power of collective creativity and the vibrant future of our national music scene. The event also marks the first year of the National Music Centre, celebrating its role as a hub for artistic excellence, education, and nurturing the next generation of creative talent.

Tickets for all concerts will be available on Friday 30 April.

New Zealand Youth Choir: Mīharo
Wed 30 Jun, 6:30pm
Wellington Town Hall
Music Director: Rowan Johnson
Choral music from New Zealand, the Pacific and Europe including Stanford’s Magnificat and Tavener's Ave Rex Angelorum accompanied on the Town Hall organ.

National Youth Brass Band: Sonority
Thu 1 Jul, 6:30pm
Wellington Town Hall
Music Director: Mark Carter
A chance to hear New Zealand’s best young brass and percussion players, presenting a selection of the best contemporary and traditional brass band music including Philip Sparke’s virtuosic The Year of the Dragon.

National Youth Orchestra: Devotion
Fri 02 Jul, 6:30pm
Wellington Town Hall
Conductor: Jessica Cottis
Soloist: Oliver Mar
Schumann Cello Concerto
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

NZYC, ACA, NYBB, NYO Combined Concert: Belshazzar’s Feast
Sat 03 Jul, 7:30pm
Wellington Town Hall
Conductors: Rowan Johnson, Mark Carter, Jessica Cottis
Soloist: James Harrison, Baritone
William Kingi Niuean Folk Medley (arr.) – World Premiere (NZYC Pasifika Navigator and Composer)
Takerei Komene Ngā Roimata o te Mārama (Mvt 3 from Ngā Tūrama)
Tuirina Wehi Aotearoa
Jack Bewley New Commission – World Premiere (2027 NZYBB Composer‑in‑Residence)
Jacob Barrett New Commission – World Premiere (2027 NYO Composer‑in‑Residence) Walton Belshazzar’s Feast

Important dates:
‍
01 Dec 26 – Audition packs available
26 Feb 27 – Applications open
16 Mar 27 – Applications close 5pm
01 Apr 27 – Positions offered
06 Apr 27 – Final to accept
26 Jun 27 – Programme commences
04 Jul 27 – Programme ends

Applications for the 2026 NZSO National Youth Orchestra have now closed.  

Application information for the 2027 NZSO National Youth Orchestra will be available in December 2026.

 Eligibility:
Applicants must be a New Zealand resident, citizen, student (including exchange students) or visa holder.
Applicants must be 25 years of age or younger at the time of application close date.

‍

Download NYO audition PDF

“The brilliance and passion of our young musicians gives a burst of energy and inspiration to audiences around New Zealand, as we tour the next generation of artistic talent.”

– NZSO Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New

No 2026 NYO yet

There are no 2026 NYO to display.

FAQ

$350

All participants are required for a 1pm start on Saturday 26 June, 2027.

Yes, a limited number of scholarships are available. If you would like to be considered, simply complete the scholarship section when submitting your application.

Participants are responsible for arranging and funding their own travel to Wellington at the beginning of the course and their return travel home at the conclusion of the course.

If the NZSO National Youth Orchestra tours to another city during the course period, the NZSO will arrange and cover the cost of travel associated with that tour.

Participants may either arrange their own accommodation or choose NZSO-arranged accommodation. NZSO-arranged accommodation will be in shared rooms, typically with four to eight participants per room, at the following providers:

Wellington: Haka House
Auckland: LyLo
Christchurch: Urbanz

Accommodation costs for NZSO-arranged lodging will be confirmed closer to the course date, once room availability and participant numbers are known.

Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own meals throughout the course.

Learn more