Open Up Music 🎵

A green slide decorated with daffodils and pictures of Bethan and Josh. Text reads: "Happy St. David’s Day, Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus, from Bethan, Josh and NOYO!

Green slide decorated with drawings of woman in traditional Welsh outfit and Welsh cakes. Text reads: "How is St. David’s Day celebrated? In schools, children often dress in traditional Welsh dress, or Welsh rugby uniforms, and take part in their school Eisteddfod - smaller versions of Wales’ national festival. Often an Eisteddfod has singing, instrumental, writing and poetry competitions. Across Wales, people take part in St David’s Day parades, often wearing daffodils and leeks, national symbols of Wales. There is also traditional Welsh dancing and singing such as the national anthem ‘Mae Hen Wlad fy nhadau’, and Welsh hymns such as ‘Calon Lân’. People will also have traditional Welsh foods for school dinner that day, such as cawl, Welsh rarebit and Welsh cakes.

Green slide decorated with drawings of a leek and the Welsh flag. Text reads: "Facts about St. David David was born, unusually, on the Pembrokeshire cliffs during a thunderstorm. David was a monk at a young age and founded a monastery at around the year 560. The area where he built the monastery would later have a cathedral and be named St David’s after him. St David’s is the smallest city in the UK with a population of around 1,600 and is around the size of a small village with an area of about 0.30 square miles. David was known as “Dewi Dyfrwr” which means “David the water drinker.” This was because of the monks diet which consisted of bread and water."

Green slide decorated with drawings of a daffodil and a harp. Text reads: "Facts about St. David According to legend, David was a miracle maker. He performed miracles such as restoring a blind man’s sight and bringing a child back to life. One of the most famous miracles David performed happened when he was preaching to a large crowd, and some people were struggling to hear him. When a white dove landed on David’s shoulder, the floor where he was standing rose up so that everyone could see and hear him. David’s last words to his followers were supposedly “Do the little things, the small things you’ve seen me doing.” After David’s death a shrine was built in his honour which is still there today and is a very popular pilgrimage site."

Happy St. David's Day from Bethan (flute and harp) and Josh (violin and bass).

Apply to join our Welsh Regional NOYO Ensemble in Cardiff, or in Bournemouth, Birmingham, Bristol and London ⤵️
noyo.org.uk/apply-2026

#StDavidsDay #InclusiveMusic #Accessibility #YouthMusic

11-25 year old disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled musicians - apply now to join NOYO!

We play acoustic, digital and accessible instruments, and you don't need to read sheet music, or have played in an ensemble before to apply.

Apply until 31 March ⤵️
noyo.org.uk/apply-2026

#Apply #Accessibi

A photo of Bethan playing flute with a pride flag behind them. Text reads: "LGBTQ+ History Month 2026. Bethan explores the impact of LGBTQ+ artists on music history"

Text reads: "LGBTQ+ impact in classical music. LGBTQ+ people have played a vital role in the development of music, from their influence in classical music, to the development of glam rock, house music and pop. LGBTQ+ composers who influenced classical music include: Francis Poulenc Ethel Smyth While their music doesn’t have explicitly LGBTQ+ themes, many historians believe their music reflected their own personal feelings about their relationships.

Text reads: "LGBTQ+ impact in dance music. Frankie Knuckles, dubbed “The Godfather of House Music,” was an openly gay DJ and producer who blended disco, electro, funk and pop music and helped make house music a global sensation. Kunckles’ influence led to a new generation of dance music, influencing the likes of David Guetta and Daft Punk."

Text reads: "LGBTQ+ impact in pop music. Innovative pop artists like David Bowie and Freddie Mercury gave recognition to the LGBTQ+ community through their lyrics in the 70s and 80s, but it was often subtle due to the culture of the time. Recently, artists have explored LGBTQ+ themes like self-acceptance and coming out more openly, helping push culture forward. Examples include Hayley Kiyoko's "Girls like Girls," Wrabel's "The Village," and perhaps most famously, Lady Gaga's "Born this Way.""

Bethan (flute and harp) wanted to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month by exploring how pioneering LGBTQ+ musicians have changed music, from classical all the way to pop!

Young musicians can come to a NOYO Open Rehearsal. More info and book ⤵️
noyo.org.uk/open-rehearsals

#InclusiveMusic #LGBTQIA

NOYO musicians not only play pieces in rehearsals, they also get to pick them! Here's Shoshana from the Birmingham NOYO Ensemble explaining how.

Come and hear NOYO musicians playing Sandalwood and other pieces at one of our Open Rehearsals. More information ⤵️
noyo.org.uk/open-rehearsals

Here's Ellen sharing how - with a few adjustments - NOYO rehearsals can be accessible for all musicians.

Know a musician who could benefit from being in NOYO? Sign up for an Open Rehearsal in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff or London!

More info: noyo.org.uk/open-rehearsals

#Accessibilit

Julia plays the violin with the Bristol NOYO Ensemble, one of the five Regional NOYO Ensembles we run with our partners in Bristol, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Cardiff or London. Watch her tell you why it's worth signposting 🎶

Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4o58B2s

#InclusiveMusic

A young musician plays cor Anglais while wearing a Santa hat and beard.

A Music Leader covers their mouth and laughs while wearing a Santa hat.

A young musician smiles at the camera while wearing a Santa hat and Christmas jumper.

A young musician plays oboe at a NOYO rehearsal while wearing a Christmas jumper.

Season's greetings from Open Up Music! To celebrate, NOYO musicians have been dressing up at rehearsals. Here are some of our favourite festive outfits spotted at in the last few weeks! 🧑‍🎄

#Christmas #NOYO #InclusiveMusic #Accessibility

A photo of a young musician playing flute at a NOYO rehearsal. Text reads "Bethan's guide to Disability History Month 20 November 20 December 2025".

An infographic about the history of Disability History month.

A musician focus on pioneering disabled musician Paul Wittgenstein.

To mark the end of Disability History Month, National Open Youth Orchestra musician Bethan (flute and harp) wanted to share a bit about the history of the month, and highlight a pioneering disabled musician with a NOYO connection!

#InclusiveMusic #Wittgenstein #DisabilityHistoryMonth #Accessibility

Dark green text on a light blue background reads: "Thank you!" Four pictures of young disabled musicians playing music are arranged at the bottom of the image alongside the Big Give Christmas Challenge logo.

A huge thank you to everyone who shared or donated to our Big Give Christmas campaign!

Thanks to your help, we managed to raise an incredible £20,070. 👏

These valuable funds will go towards levelling the playing field for young disabled musicians, creating opportunities to play and perform music.

Three young musicians rehearse with the National Open Youth Orchestra. They all wear Santa hats.

Please help us reach our Big Give Christmas Challenge fundraising goal! Donate before Tuesday 9 December, and everything you give will be doubled thanks to match funding ⤵️
bit.ly/OUMChristmas

#ChristmasChallenge #InclusiveMusic

Three days left to support our Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign!

Donate before Tuesday, and every pound you give will be doubled ❤️
bit.ly/OUMChristmas

#InclusiveMusic #ChristmasChallenge

A smiling young musician wears a Christmas hat and jumper. The page is green and decorated with snowflakes. Text reads: "Until 9 December, every pound you give will be doubled thanks to match funding!" Inside an arrow pointing to the right is written "We need you". At the bottom of the page text reads "Double your donation today" alongside the Open Up Music and Big Give Christmas Challenge logos.

A smiling young musician wears a Christmas hat. The page is green and decorated with snowflakes. Text reads: "Give disabled pupils the same chance to learn an instrument and be part of an orchestra. Create opportunities to perform and share our music. Encourage hard work and progression through music"

The page is green and decorated with snowflakes. Text reads: "We can make big things happen when we work together. Read about Open Up Music’s programmes and donate at bit.ly/OUMChristmas".

Please help us raise vital funds to create opportunities for young disabled people to make music.

Give before 9 December, and every pound you donate will be double thanks to match funding. Donate now: bit.ly/OUMChristmas

#Accessibility #Fundraising #ChristmasChallenge @biggive.bsky.social

11-25 year old-musician? Come to a Bristol NOYO Ensemble Open Rehearsal to find out if it could be for you!

When?
- Saturday 7 February, 1.20–4.30 pm
- Saturday 14 March, 1–4 pm

Where?
Beacon Music Centre, BS10 5SJ

Sign up at noyo.org.uk/open-rehearsals

#InclusiveMusic #DisabilityHistoryMonth

A young musician plays clarinet at a London NOYO Ensemble rehearsal. He is surrounded by colourful shapes and music notes. Text reads "Come to an Open Rehearsal!"

A young musician high fives a Music Leader at a Bristol NOYO Ensemble rehearsal. They are surrounded by colourful shapes. Text reads "Meet friendly Music Leaders".

A young musician plays violin at Bristol NOYO Ensemble rehearsal. She is surrounded by colourful shapes and musical notes. Text reads "Say "hi" to NOYO musicians.

A young musician plays synthesizer at a NOYO rehearsal. She is surrounded by colourful shapes. Text reads "Sign up at noyo.org.uk/open-rehearsals".

Know a young person who could benefit from being part of an inclusive ensemble? Tell them about Regional NOYO Ensemble Open Rehearsals in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff or London.

Young people can find out more and sign up at noyo.org.uk/open-rehearsals.

#InclusiveMusic #Accessibility

Amazing to follow the musical journey of Clarion soloist Alessandro Vazzana and so proud of NOYO musicians Oscar and Georgina. Read more about the Clarion accessible instrument takeitaway.org.uk/the-clarion-...

A wide rectangular graphic. Text reads: “Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments, published by Inclusive Music Consortium” with their logo, which is a soundwave icon next to the name. The image of the Clarion shows coloured shapes on a Windows tablet. In the bottom-right corner is the Arts Council England logo with the text: “Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.”

The updated 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 is here, to help ensure disabled musicians know what's available to them. Explore what’s possible 🎶 takeitaway.org.uk/accessible-i...
With thanks to artscouncilengland.bsky.social.

#InclusiveMusic #AdaptiveInstruments #Accessibility

A wide rectangular graphic with a dark teal background and thin pink border. On the left, bold yellow text reads: “Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments.” Below, it says “Published by Inclusive Music Consortium” with their logo, which is a soundwave icon next to the name. To the right is the Clarion, an adaptive instrument featuring colourful shapes on a Windows tablet. In the bottom-right corner is the Arts Council England logo with the text: “Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.”

The updated 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 is here! We've collaborated with other arts organisations to create this free guide to help ensure disabled musicians have access to musical instruments that work for them. It could be our Clarion accessible instrument or another innovation. T

A photo of the National Open Youth Orchestra rehearsing. Musicians are aged between 11 and 25, disabled and non-disabled, and playing a range of acoustic, accessible and digital instruments. Text reads "Music and Technology Officer wanted! Apply by 10 November. The Open Up Music logo is in the bottom right hand corner.

We're hiring: Music and Technology Officer 🎵

Join our team supporting the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) in a brilliant part-time role creating music resources and arrangements for young musicians and more.

Apply now: www.openupmusic.org/apply

#MusicJobs #MusicEducation #CharityJobs

Photo: National Open Youth Orchestra rehearsal.

A young female musician plays the Clarion in an orchestral rehearsal. She is smiling and is a wheelchair user. Blue text in a yellow box reads: "Vote for Open Up Music. Help us win €30,000 to make the Clarion widely available to young disabled people."

Help make the Clarion - our accessible musical instrument that can be played with any body part, including head movement - widely available to young disabled people.

Vote for Open Up Music in the #ArtExplora Audience Choice Award⤵️

bit.ly/ArtExplora2025

#EuropeanAward #AudienceDevelopment

Harpist Holli has been learning, makaton. In rehearsals, NOYO music leaders often use makaton to communicate which section of music the ensemble is going to play next.

That's just one of the ways NOYO is inclusive to all young musicians!

#InternationalDayOfSignLanguages #NOYO

Here's Pea (Cardiff NOYO Ensemble) sharing the "really, really, really cool" experience of going on tour with the professional musicians of @bournemouthso.bsky.social‬ and BSO Resound alongside Georgie (Birmingham NOYO Ensemble) and Ale (NOYO Alumnus)👏

#InclusiveMusic #NOYO

Torin sits in the BSO offices talking to Hannah, a member of the BSO team. They are sitting on green armchairs. Torin wears a black t-shirt with white writing on it and dark trousers. Hannah wears a white pin-striped shirt and dark trousers.

Huge congrats Torin for achieving your Silver Arts Award at the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra! 👏

"I think the important thing is to be able to bond with people. That’s what making music is all about." - Torin

Read more on the @bournemouthso.bsky.social website: bit.ly/4m5I8lk

#InclusiveMusic

A photo of young disabled and non-disabled musicians performing to an audience. Text reads "Trustees and Treasurer wanted! Apply by 1 September".

📣 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀. We need you to guide our work opening music to young disabled musicians as a Treasurer or Trustee!

📅 Deadline: 1 September 2025

🔗Apply: www.openupmusic.org/we-re-recrui...

Please share 🙏

The National Open Youth Orchestra performs on stage. The silhouetted heads of audience members watch.

A young musician plays bass guitar on stage.

A young musician plays the Clarion accessible instrument on stage.

The National Open Youth Orchestra being applauded on stage. Text reads: "Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2025 concert tour. See you next year!"

"Do you see me?" - We're celebrating this year's Learning Disability Week theme by showing NOYO musicians stealing the show at their final concert date at #BirminghamTownHall.

✨ NOYO welcomes musicians who learn music in many different ways!

#LDWeek #NOYO #InclusiveMusic

Text reads: "I liked that every performer had something exciting to do across all the pieces." - Josh, NOYO violinist and bass player

Josh loved coming to watch his friends from the Cardiff NOYO Ensemble perform with the National NOYO Ensemble!

Come see NOYO in Birmingham on 8 June ⤵️
bmusic.co.uk/events/natio...

#NOYO #InclusiveMusic #YouthMusic

Text reads: "Join us!"

A young female musician sits behind an electric piano on stage and talks into a microphone.

A young female musician plays bass guitar on stage. She is surrounded by other members of the National NOYO Ensemble.

A young female musician stands next to a harp on stage. She is talking into a microphone.

"Complex, comforting and compelling" - Thoroughly Good Classical Music 🤩

Read the full review of the National Open Youth Orchestra's London concert⤵️
bit.ly/ThoroughlyGood

Join us this Saturday at Lighthouse, Poole (livestream tickets available)⤵️
bsolive.com/events/ring-...

Pix: Eljay Briss

#AnOrchestraInEverySchool 📢 'Orchestra' can sound formal but it’s simply a place where young people, often excluded elsewhere can build confidence, make friends and share their music. Our #NOYO and #OpenOrchestras programmes engage hundreds of young disabled people every year. Backing the #ABO.

A young musician plays saxophone. Text reads: “It’s great to get to play in great venues with NOYO and be on stage making music for people to enjoy.”

Luke told Lighthouse Poole all about his experience of playing with the National Open Youth Orchestra! ⤵️
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/music-is-par...

Come watch Luke, and the rest of our National NOYO Ensemble perform in 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗲 on 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝘆. Tickets 👉 bsolive.com/events/ring-...

#NOYO

📸: Paul Underhill

A fantastic opportunity to work with our National Open Youth Orchestra partners at @bournemouthso.bsky.social!