J’AIME MAY 2022

F E AT U R E
The orchestra
reimagining excellence
THE DISABLED-LED YOUTH ORCHESTRA THAT’S PUSHING MUSICAL BOUNDARIES COMES
TO BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL THIS JUNE. KATY EDGINGTON FINDS OUT MORE
The National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO)
was launched back in September 2018. Its
aims? To promote musical excellence and
support 11-25 year old disabled and nondisabled
musicians to come together as
members of an inclusive ensemble. And it’s a
world first.
After more than two years of delays and
disappointments due to the Covid-19
pandemic, NOYO will perform their first ever
series of concerts this spring and summer,
kicking off in London at the end of April
followed by May performances in Bristol and
Poole. You can catch them at Birmingham
Town Hall on Sunday, June 5 for the fourth
and final date.
Although there are now many organisations
working to provide opportunities for disabled
musicians to develop their and to play,
generations of young people have missed out
on that chance. That’s why NOYO co-founder
and Musical Director Doug Bott says the
orchestra was set up with two key purposes in
mind.
“First, we wanted to provide a practical
progression route for young disabled people
who have a precocious musical talent, but who may
face barriers to developing that talent through more
conventional youth orchestras.
“The second is to provide a youth orchestra which
can perform in public, shining as a beacon of
opportunity to give people around the country and
the world a clear sense of what young disabled
people can achieve as musicians, to raise aspirations.”
Applications to join NOYO open every March.
They’re open to 11-25 year old disabled and nondisabled
musicians. Some recruits come straight in
as full members, while others who show potential
NATIONAL OPEN YOUTH
ORCHESTRA IS A WORLD FIRST.
PHOTO BY PAUL BLAKEMORE
but require a little more time and development, are
brought on as trainees. Though they don’t perform
in concerts, they do get to develop their skills.
Under the auspices of Open Up Music, NOYO
is delivered through regional centres in London,
Bournemouth, Bristol, and Birmingham - the newest
of the four. Birmingham NOYO Centre is run in
partnership with Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), a
contemporary arts centre and charity in Cannon Hill
Park, education and training charity Services For
Education, and music charity B:Music.
Currently there are just three young people at
the Birmingham centre, but the team are hoping
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