The NYO Team

Meet NYO's conductors, tutor team and committee.

Happy and smiling NYIO tutor group

Nottingham Youth Orchestra’s tutors and conductors are at the heart of the organisation.

They are enthusiastic instrumental specialists with a wealth of experience in supporting youngsters, smiling both musically and technically, individually and in their instrument sections, from rehearsal through to performance.

Each NYO orchestra has dedicated tutors who specialise in instruments from double bass to violin, bassoon to piccolo, tuba to trumpet, timpani to harp and everything in between.

The whole team in more detail

Past workshop presenters

As well as NYO’s tutors, who present instrument showcases, over the years NYO has been able to support its members with workshops given by eminent musicians including:
Bloco Transcultural - Samba School
Roger Coull - violin
Deep Down Brass - brass
Ioan Davies - cello
David Greed - strings
Laura Jellicoe - flute
Guy Johnston - cello
Julian Joseph - jazz
Tony Kofi - jazz 
Hugh McKenna - oboe
John Miller - trumpet & brass
Zoe Rahman - jazz composer & pianist
Chris Swann - clarinet
Gate to Southwell Festival - folk music specialists
Mzanze Ensemble & Louise Lansdowne - strings
NYOGB Inspire - whole orchestra
Opera North - whole orchestra
Pro Corda & Ioan Davies - chamber music making
Stringcredibles - strings
The Brass Factory - brass

Tutor words of wisdom...

  • Never stop playing your instrument because it is a wonderful way to express yourself and make friends!
  • Always count – you are no good in the wrong place.
  • If in doubt leave it out, or play louder as it’s good to be positively wrong!
  • At least look like you’re playing the right notes.
  • It’s just a matter of focus, but I’ll take 10p for every wrong note!
  • Hold notes for their exact length and observe rests as ‘silence is golden’.
  • Rosin your bow – we can’t hear you!
  • Instruments up and ready in time for that next entry.
  • What do you mean 'you're lost'? – Try to match what you hear with the music page, plus the conductor is showing you which beat of the bar you’re on at any moment.
  • If you’ve done your practice you’ll be able to look up from the music and watch the conductor and your colleagues: the conductor is indicating the dynamic and how much expression is needed in your sound; your section's players should be doing the same.
  • Know where your pencil is.
  • Stop reading this and go practice (and look forward to the next gig!)