The National Youth Orchestra invites audiences to experience Transcend - an electrifying musical journey through intense emotions, imagination and transformation - visiting Birmingham's Symhont Hall this August.

The programme includes the surging momentum of Liszt’s Waltz No. 1 and Berlioz’s groundbreaking Symphonie Fantastique, drawing audiences into a surreal musical world. Conductor Thomas Adès will harness the energy of 160 teenage musicians in his own thrilling composition, Purgatorio.

Tickets are now availabl, with NYO’s Free for Teens offer at Birmingham Symphony Hall, ensuring there are no barriers to access for young audiences. 45% of the audience at the Spring 2026 ‘Collide' tour were teenagers, attending through NYO’s Free for Teens offer, showing the widespread impact of this now well-established initiative.

The Transcend summer tour will be conducted by NYO alumnus Thomas Adès, one of the most celebrated composers and conductors working today. He was in the percussion section of The National Youth Orchestra in 1988, and previously conducted the Orchestra on their summer tour in 2017. Known for his visionary approach and uncompromising musical imagination, Adès brings extraordinary energy and insight to this ambitious programme.

During residential rehearsals for the performances, the Orchestra will be joined by musicians from NYO Inspire, a programme primarily for teenage musicians who go to state school, where there is a widespread lack of opportunity to progress in music. They will take part in a two-day Orchestra Experience giving them a deep-dive into playing and collaborating within an orchestra. As part of NYO’s partnership with OnSide Youth Zones, young people from Youth Zones in Lancashire will also visit the residential activity to surround themselves in music and embed themselves in the NYO community.

Sarah Alexander OBE, CEO & Creative Director, says: “Transcend captures that heightened state musicians achieve when playing in an orchestra, emotionally, creatively and musically. There’s something extraordinary about 160 teenagers taking on music of this scale and intensity, with complete fearlessness. There’s a special connection when the Orchestra gets to work with alumni like Thomas Adès. He’s sat where they’ve sat and experienced what they’ve experienced. We can’t wait to welcome him back again.”

Lilico, violinist says: “I’m incredibly excited to perform Transcend. With so many teenage musicians, huge audiences and music that travels through different realities, this feels like being part of something much bigger than myself. That sense of connection through music is so special and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”

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.”

Transcend comes to Symphony Hall, Birmingham on Wednesday 5 August 2026, tickets are on sale now at nyo.org.uk.