The National Association of Youth Orchestras

The National Association of Youth Orchestras was formed in 1965 to share best practice and encourage self-help amongst the then emerging and dynamic Youth Orchestra movement in the UK. For more than forty years it had a distinguished history of acting as advocate and mentor, providing advice and guidance, to youth orchestras and players across the UK. It was responsible for the creating and running of the Festival of British Youth Orchestras, held for thirty years in Edinburgh and twenty two years in Glasgow. In addition it sponsored European Youth Music week in conjunction with IAM, a German partner organisation, and also had a very distinguished record of promoting other activities such as conductors’ competitions and specialist instrumental events. NAYO also contributed to the youth orchestra repertoire by commissioning new music.

Over time some of the original functions were taken on by other organisations and as the structure of music education evolved, the Association’s activities, with the exception of the vital advocacy role, became less relevant. Essential restructuring and regeneration activity coincided with the downturn in the world economy and with the withdrawal of major public funding and no indication that private funding would be available, the Directors decided that the 30th Festival of British Youth orchestras in 2009 would be the last and that the NAYO would close down on the 31 March 2010.

European Youth Music Week (www.eymw.org) continues to flourish under a new umbrella organisation - YoungOrchestras.com - and looks forward to its 40th birthday celebrations in 2012.

At the time of writing, the board of the Association of British Orchestras (www.abo.org.uk) has resolved to take forward the provision of membership services and advocacy for British youth orchestras and will be contacting former NAYO members.