NYOW celebrates 80 Years in 2026!
The National Youth Orchestra of Wales (NYOW) has the distinction of being the world’s first national youth orchestra, delivering its first performance in 1946. This year, in 2026, NYOW celebrates 80 years of high-level training and vibrant performances.
Join the celebrations!
Alumni Orchestra
Reigniting friendship through music!
As part of our 80th Anniversary celebrations, we will be assembling an orchestra of former members who will Rehearse, Reminisce and Perform over the May Day Bank Holiday under the expert guidance of internationally renowned Conductor, Carlo Rizzi.
The orchestra is open to any former member who is still playing their instrument on a regular basis. We are looking to recruit an orchestra of between 80-100 to perform a public concert on Sunday 3rd May at the BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff Bay.
The event promises to be an historic opportunity for us to reconnect with alumni from throughout the orchestra’s history as members of both the orchestra and audience.
Relive music from your NYOW days!
Are you a NYOW Alumni? Can you join our Alumni Orchestra?
There is no participation fee for the 80th Anniversary Alumni Orchestra. Instead, alumni taking part are asked to make a £100 donation to support our bursary fund, helping ensure that talented young musicians can access the same life-changing opportunities many of us experienced.
Deadline to apply: 31st March
The Alumni Orchestra concert, conducted by Carlo Rizzi, will be held at 4.30pm on Sunday 3rd May at the BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff Bay.
You don’t want to miss this!
Tickets are on sale now.
Conductor: Carlo Rizzi
Carlo Rizzi holds a long-standing reputation as one of the world's foremost operatic conductors, in demand as a guest artist at the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals. Combining a deep expertise in the vocal art with theatrical flair and the practical collaborative skills honed over decades of experience in the world's finest theatres, he is acclaimed by singers and audiences alike as a master of the operatic craft.
Born in Milan, Rizzi studied at the city’s conservatoire, and following his graduation was employed as a repetiteur at the legendary Teatro alla Scala. He launched his conducting career in 1982 with a production of Donizetti’s L’ajo nell’imbarazzo, and has now performed over a hundred operas, with a broad repertoire that is rich in Italian works in addition to the major titles of Mozart, Wagner, Strauss, Britten, Mussorgsky, Martinů and Janáček.
Carlo has been a good friend to the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and has conducted the Orchestra regularly since leading them for the first time in 2012. We are so grateful and excited to welcome back Carlo to conduct our 80th Anniversary Alumni Orchestra!
Repertoire to be confirmed – but expect to revisit some of the music that defined your orchestra days.
Can’t play in the Alumni Orchestra?
You can still be a part of our celebrations!
Are you a former National Youth Orchestra of Wales member? Would you like to celebrate its Anniversary year with us?
Let us know and we will keep you updated with celebratory plans!
For many of us, NYOW opened doors that shaped our musical journeys and lifelong friendships. Our bursaries ensure those doors remain open, removing financial barriers so that ability, not circumstance, determines who can take part.
By joining this celebration, you are also helping to pass that opportunity on. If you are in a position to give more, additional support is warmly welcomed and will make an even greater difference.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please consider adding Gift Aid, increasing your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you.
Every donation is valued, and will make a huge impact on our work, no matter what the size. These donations will ensure we can continue to safeguard the future of Wales’ national youth ensembles and enable NYAW to expand its work reaching young people across the nation.
