The National Youth Orchestra returns to Birmingham's Symphony Hall this summer to present Transcend - an electrifying musical journey through intense emotions, imagination and transformation.

The Transcend summer tour will be directed by celebrated composer, conductor and NYO alumnus, Thomas Adès. Known for his visionary approach and uncompromising musical imagination, Thomas was in the percussion section of The National Youth Orchestra in 1988 and previously conducted the orchestra on their summer tour in 2017. 

This latest NYO programme will feature the surging momentum of Liszt’s Waltz No.1 and Berlioz’s groundbreaking Symphonie Fantastique - both of which draw audiences into a surreal musical world. Adès will also harness the energy of 160 teenage musicians in his own composition, Purgatorio.

Tickets are now available and NYO’s Free for Teens offer ensures there are no barriers for young audiences to access the concert. At the Spring 2026 Collide tour, 45% of the audience were teenagers who attended via the same offer, thus showcasing the widespread impact of the well-established initiative.

Residential rehearsals for the performances will see the orchestra joined by musicians from NYO Inspire, a programme primarily for teenage musicians attending state schools where there is a widespread lack of opportunity to progress in music. Students will take part in a two-day Orchestra Experience giving them a deep-dive into playing and collaborating within an orchestra. 

On his involvement with NYO, Thomas Adès CBE says: “I am delighted to be returning to conduct The National Youth Orchestra this summer. Working with such talented young musicians is incredibly stimulating; they are full of ideas and enthusiasm and the standard is extremely high. I am particularly looking forward to presenting Purgatorio, part of my ballet Dante, in Birmingham Symphony Hall, Snape Maltings and the Proms for the first time. I vividly remember my own musical journey with The National Youth Orchestra. I spent a year with the percussion section; it was a formative experience.”

National Youth Orchestra present Transcend at Birmingham's Symphony Hall on Wednesday 5 August. Tickets are available at nyo.org.uk.