This January, The National Youth Orchestra will take local audiences on an "exhilarating adventure in sound", when its brand new 2023/24 orchestra cohort made up of 158 "extraordinary" teenage musicians from across the UK perform together live as part of a mini tour which concludes at the Warwick Arts Centre on Saturday January 6.

Joining the orchestra and performing as part of this mini UK Tour for the very first time are 13 year old violinist Joshua Yin Zen Tan from Stratford-upon-Avon and 17 year old Viola player Theadora Griffiths from Coventry.

They are joined by more seasoned local performers, 17 year old clarinettist Gemma Winfield from Solihull who is now in her second year with NYO; alongside 17 year old Cello player Andrew O'Reilly from Kenilworth and 16 year old Trumpeter Christopher Gibson from Rugby. They are both entering their third year with the Orchestra.

On his reasons for joining the NYO, Joshua comments: "NYO's mission to open up classical music for the current and next generation really speaks to me.

"From personal experience, I worry that the future of 'classical' music is quite uncertain (having listened to some of my friends' playlists!).

"However, I fervently believe that the value of classical music is no less than it was several hundred years ago, and this drives me to want to play my part in contributing to keep it relevant for my generation and beyond!"

With music education described in recent years as being in a 'perilous state' by the Musicians' Union, through concerts such as these NYO seeks to champion the profound impact that orchestral music can have upon the lives of teenagers.

It's more important than ever before that young people have opportunities to learn instruments and experience the transformative power of playing together.

Tickets for these concert are free for teenagers.

Full details and booking at https://www.nyo.org.uk/performances