Treloar’s students will be playing in the BBC Proms with NOYO

Community

We are thrilled to share that past and present Treloar’s students, members of the National Open Youth Orchestra, will be part of the iconic BBC Proms Festival this year.

Group of musicians together with musical instruments, all members of the National Open Youth Orchestra
Photo credit: Open Up Music

The National Open Youth Orchestra will be joined by musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales for three relaxed concerts in Cardiff, London and Bristol as part of the BBC Proms season – under the baton of conductor Alice Farnham.

We are so proud that Treloar’s students will be playing with NOYO and given this opportunity to shine and inspire the next generation of disabled musicians.

The National Open Youth Orchestra has always been committed to showcasing the talents of young disabled musicians, and being included in the BBC Proms is an incredible platform to bring their talents to a wider audience, and also to show other young disabled musicians that music and orchestras could be a pathway for them too. In the coming weeks, two more Treloar’s students have auditions for NOYO, so watch this space to see how they get on! We wish them the very best of luck.

National Open Your Orchestra musicians performing together with violin and Clarion players
Photo credit: National Open Youth Orchestra

The National Open Youth Orchestra combines electronic and acoustic instruments, bringing a contemporary feel to their music, reimaging an orchestra in a totally inclusive way. The concerts will feature a wide-ranging mix of sounds and instruments, from strings, brass and harp to accordion, saxophones, synthesisers and the Clarion, which college student Evie will play with her hand via a touch screen, and former student and soloist Alessandro Vazzana will play with eye gaze technology and head movement.

The programme will include the world premiere of composer Charlotte Harding’s new piece, co-commissioned with the BBC: 'The Orchestra: a Young Person’s Guide', reimagining Britten’s 'Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra'. 2026 is the 50th anniversary of his death.

There will also be selections from Vivaldi’s 'The Four Seasons', Florence Price’s 'Juba Dance', Michael Betteridge’s 'Soaring Through Sparks' (featuring soloist Alessandro Vazzana), and 'Barriers' by Oliver Cross, a work reflecting on access and belonging in music.

Book your tickets:

30th June 2026, 2pm – Barbican Centre, London (Schools concert, by invitation only)

30th July 2026, 3pm – Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff. Buy your Cardiff concert ticket.

9th August 2026, 2.30pm – BBC Proms, Bristol Beacon. Buy your Bristol ticket.

All performances are relaxed, inviting audiences to engage with the music in ways that work for them. With musicians introducing the programme and encouraging audience participation, the concerts offer an inclusive and shared experience that reflects NOYO’s vision of an orchestra where everyone has a part to play.