Three Alleyn’s Pupils Join the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

October 10th 2025

Alleyn’s is proud to celebrate the success of three of its talented musicians — León, Joseph, and Eric — who have earned their places in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO), the world’s greatest orchestra for teenagers. Their achievements are a testament to the strength and vibrancy of music at Alleyn’s, where over 500 lessons take place each week, supported by 40 Visiting Music Teachers and 45 ensemble rehearsals that fill the Music School with sound and energy.

León: “It’s an opportunity to showcase your talent”

When preparing for his NYO audition, León dedicated himself to refining his practice.

“I certainly increased both the quantity and quality of my practice sessions,” he says. “I tried to play once a day, along with other activities such as listening actively to the pieces and orchestral excerpts I would later play before the panel.”

For those hoping to follow in his footsteps, León offers some sage advice:

“Treat the final audition not as an audition, but as a brilliant opportunity to showcase your musical talent – it’s really not as scary as you might think! Another top tip is to listen to your excerpts many times. It will really help.”

Joseph: “A welcoming community of musicians”

Returning to NYO for another year, Joseph reflects on what makes the experience so special.

“I’m so glad to be returning to NYO again this year; it’s such a great place to meet other young musicians, and everyone there is so nice! I’ve made friends from all over the UK, and we all share a love of music, which makes it such a tight-knit community.”

He recalls performing an extraordinary range of repertoire in some of the country’s most prestigious venues, including the Barbican, Birmingham Symphony Hall, the Bridgewater Hall, and Snape Maltings.

“The obvious highlight was performing in the Royal Albert Hall at the BBC Proms. It was breathtaking to walk into the hall with a sold-out audience. But NYO wouldn’t be the same without the friendships and connections — it’s such a welcoming community.”

At Alleyn’s, Joseph most enjoys the camaraderie that comes with ensemble playing:

“My favourite thing about music at Alleyn’s is playing with my friends. I love that I can improve my orchestral technique and sight-reading during clubs whilst also having fun.”

Eric: “That spirit of community”

Eric attributes much of his audition success to his extensive performance experience at Alleyn’s and beyond.

“When I auditioned for NYO, I was of course nervous, but my performances in school and outside have helped me to develop confidence when performing in front of an audience. I try to enjoy the music I’m performing and think about how the audience will enjoy it — that helps me feel calm and relaxed.”

Reflecting on the Alleyn’s Music Department, Eric adds:

“The thing I enjoy most about music at Alleyn’s is that spirit of community and working together as an ensemble, and then seeing all that hard work come together when we perform.”

A thriving culture of music at Alleyn’s

The achievements of León, Joseph, and Eric highlight the thriving musical culture at Alleyn’s. With hundreds of lessons, dozens of ensembles, and a dedicated team of teachers, the Music School continues to nurture the next generation of outstanding performers — musicians who not only reach the highest standards but also bring passion, collaboration, and joy to every performance.

A recording of the Proms is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Alleyn’s offers a rich programme of musical opportunities from the moment pupils join the school. 11+ Admissions are now open, and Music Scholarships are available for talented young musicians who demonstrate exceptional potential and enthusiasm.

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