Open Up Music 🎵
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openupmusic.bsky.social
Open Up Music 🎵
@openupmusic.bsky.social
290 followers 270 following 38 posts
Working alongside young disabled musicians to bring about musical inclusion. We're the charity behind the National Open Youth Orchestra noyo.org.uk, openorchestras.org and the Clarion accessible instrument theclarion.uk. UK Bristol based. openupmusic.org
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openupmusic.bsky.social
Know a young person who could benefit from being part of an inclusive ensemble? Tell them about Regional NOYO Ensemble Open Rehearsals in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff or London.

Young people can find out more and sign up at noyo.org.uk/open-rehearsals.

#InclusiveMusic #Accessibility
A young musician plays clarinet at a London NOYO Ensemble rehearsal. He is surrounded by colourful shapes and music notes. Text reads "Come to an Open Rehearsal!" A young musician high fives a Music Leader at a Bristol NOYO Ensemble rehearsal. They are surrounded by colourful shapes. Text reads "Meet friendly Music Leaders". A young musician plays violin at Bristol NOYO Ensemble rehearsal. She is surrounded by colourful shapes and musical notes. Text reads "Say "hi" to NOYO musicians. A young musician plays synthesizer at a NOYO rehearsal. She is surrounded by colourful shapes. Text reads "Sign up at noyo.org.uk/open-rehearsals".
November 24, 2025 at 12:49 PM
openupmusic.bsky.social
The updated 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 is here, to help ensure disabled musicians know what's available to them. Explore what’s possible 🎶 takeitaway.org.uk/accessible-i...
With thanks to artscouncilengland.bsky.social.

#InclusiveMusic #AdaptiveInstruments #Accessibility
A wide rectangular graphic. Text reads: “Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments, published by Inclusive Music Consortium” with their logo, which is a soundwave icon next to the name. The image of the Clarion shows coloured shapes on a Windows tablet. In the bottom-right corner is the Arts Council England logo with the text: “Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.”
November 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
openupmusic.bsky.social
The updated 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 is here! We've collaborated with other arts organisations to create this free guide to help ensure disabled musicians have access to musical instruments that work for them. It could be our Clarion accessible instrument or another innovation. T
A wide rectangular graphic with a dark teal background and thin pink border. On the left, bold yellow text reads: “Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments.” Below, it says “Published by Inclusive Music Consortium” with their logo, which is a soundwave icon next to the name. To the right is the Clarion, an adaptive instrument featuring colourful shapes on a Windows tablet. In the bottom-right corner is the Arts Council England logo with the text: “Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.”
November 4, 2025 at 3:39 PM
openupmusic.bsky.social
We're hiring: Music and Technology Officer 🎵

Join our team supporting the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) in a brilliant part-time role creating music resources and arrangements for young musicians and more.

Apply now: www.openupmusic.org/apply

#MusicJobs #MusicEducation #CharityJobs
A photo of the National Open Youth Orchestra rehearsing. Musicians are aged between 11 and 25, disabled and non-disabled, and playing a range of acoustic, accessible and digital instruments. Text reads "Music and Technology Officer wanted! Apply by 10 November. The Open Up Music logo is in the bottom right hand corner.
October 29, 2025 at 12:59 PM
openupmusic.bsky.social
Help make the Clarion - our accessible musical instrument that can be played with any body part, including head movement - widely available to young disabled people.

Vote for Open Up Music in the #ArtExplora Audience Choice Award⤵️

bit.ly/ArtExplora2025

#EuropeanAward #AudienceDevelopment
A young female musician plays the Clarion in an orchestral rehearsal. She is smiling and is a wheelchair user. Blue text in a yellow box reads: "Vote for Open Up Music. Help us win €30,000 to make the Clarion widely available to young disabled people."
October 7, 2025 at 10:20 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
Harpist Holli has been learning, makaton. In rehearsals, NOYO music leaders often use makaton to communicate which section of music the ensemble is going to play next.

That's just one of the ways NOYO is inclusive to all young musicians!

#InternationalDayOfSignLanguages #NOYO
September 23, 2025 at 7:08 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
Here's Pea (Cardiff NOYO Ensemble) sharing the "really, really, really cool" experience of going on tour with the professional musicians of @bournemouthso.bsky.social‬ and BSO Resound alongside Georgie (Birmingham NOYO Ensemble) and Ale (NOYO Alumnus)👏

#InclusiveMusic #NOYO
August 13, 2025 at 10:20 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
Huge congrats Torin for achieving your Silver Arts Award at the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra! 👏

"I think the important thing is to be able to bond with people. That’s what making music is all about." - Torin

Read more on the @bournemouthso.bsky.social website: bit.ly/4m5I8lk

#InclusiveMusic
Torin sits in the BSO offices talking to Hannah, a member of the BSO team. They are sitting on green armchairs. Torin wears a black t-shirt with white writing on it and dark trousers. Hannah wears a white pin-striped shirt and dark trousers.
August 5, 2025 at 12:45 PM
openupmusic.bsky.social
📣 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀. We need you to guide our work opening music to young disabled musicians as a Treasurer or Trustee!

📅 Deadline: 1 September 2025

🔗Apply: www.openupmusic.org/we-re-recrui...

Please share 🙏
A photo of young disabled and non-disabled musicians performing to an audience. Text reads "Trustees and Treasurer wanted! Apply by 1 September".
July 11, 2025 at 7:45 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
"Do you see me?" - We're celebrating this year's Learning Disability Week theme by showing NOYO musicians stealing the show at their final concert date at #BirminghamTownHall.

✨ NOYO welcomes musicians who learn music in many different ways!

#LDWeek #NOYO #InclusiveMusic
The National Open Youth Orchestra performs on stage. The silhouetted heads of audience members watch. A young musician plays bass guitar on stage. A young musician plays the Clarion accessible instrument on stage. The National Open Youth Orchestra being applauded on stage. Text reads: "Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2025 concert tour. See you next year!"
June 17, 2025 at 10:37 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
Josh loved coming to watch his friends from the Cardiff NOYO Ensemble perform with the National NOYO Ensemble!

Come see NOYO in Birmingham on 8 June ⤵️
bmusic.co.uk/events/natio...

#NOYO #InclusiveMusic #YouthMusic
Text reads: "I liked that every performer had something exciting to do across all the pieces." - Josh, NOYO violinist and bass player
June 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
"Complex, comforting and compelling" - Thoroughly Good Classical Music 🤩

Read the full review of the National Open Youth Orchestra's London concert⤵️
bit.ly/ThoroughlyGood

Join us this Saturday at Lighthouse, Poole (livestream tickets available)⤵️
bsolive.com/events/ring-...

Pix: Eljay Briss
Text reads: "Join us!" A young female musician sits behind an electric piano on stage and talks into a microphone. A young female musician plays bass guitar on stage. She is surrounded by other members of the National NOYO Ensemble. A young female musician stands next to a harp on stage. She is talking into a microphone.
May 8, 2025 at 11:07 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
#AnOrchestraInEverySchool 📢 'Orchestra' can sound formal but it’s simply a place where young people, often excluded elsewhere can build confidence, make friends and share their music. Our #NOYO and #OpenOrchestras programmes engage hundreds of young disabled people every year. Backing the #ABO.
May 8, 2025 at 8:44 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
Luke told Lighthouse Poole all about his experience of playing with the National Open Youth Orchestra! ⤵️
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/music-is-par...

Come watch Luke, and the rest of our National NOYO Ensemble perform in 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗲 on 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝘆. Tickets 👉 bsolive.com/events/ring-...

#NOYO

📸: Paul Underhill
A young musician plays saxophone. Text reads: “It’s great to get to play in great venues with NOYO and be on stage making music for people to enjoy.”
May 2, 2025 at 7:53 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
Cass shared three reasons you should come and see the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) play at Milton Court in his Q&A with @guildhallschool.bsky.social

Read Cass' interview on the Guildhall blog!

Get tickets for NOYO's concerts in London, Poole, Cardiff and Birmingham⤵️
bit.ly/4lfdQwe
A young musician speaks into a microphone on stage. Text reads: "Cass' three reasons to see NOYO in concert". Text reads: "1. No matter who you are, there is someone in your life who would benefit from knowing that orchestras like NOYO exist!" 2. Text reads: "Our audience members love the "surprises, emotions and wonder" and the "precision, joy and energy" of our performances." Text reads: "3. We're playing some absolutely wonderful music, with some existing pieces, and some new compositions."
April 10, 2025 at 11:43 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
The word 'audition' can sound scary, but NOYO auditions are relaxed... We just want to get to know musicians and make sure they're going to enjoy being part of an ensemble.

Watch NOYO Music Leader Bea tell you more.

😎 11-25 year-old musicians, apply until 31 March! noyo.org.uk/apply/
March 26, 2025 at 9:13 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
☺️ NOYO auditions are relaxed. What does that mean?

Here's harpist Holli and Music Leader Bea sharing a few ways we make the experience accessible.

✨ 11-25 year-old musicians can apply to join NOYO by 31 March 👉 noyo.org.uk/apply/

#InclusiveMusic #YouthMusic
March 25, 2025 at 2:02 PM
openupmusic.bsky.social
You have until midday tomorrow to give to our @biggive.bsky.social campaign bit.ly/BigGiveOUM

Help us hit our £10,000 target, we're so close!

Support the development of the Clarion accessible instrument, so that young disabled musicians like Ale can explore music. Watch him play with head movement
March 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
openupmusic.bsky.social
😄 Music Leader Bea shares ways musicians can calm any audition nerves with NOYO harpist Holli.

✨Share with 11-25 year-old musicians, and encourage them to apply to join NOYO by 31 March 👉 noyo.org.uk/apply/

#InclusiveMusic #Apply #YouthMusic
March 24, 2025 at 11:12 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
"Before I joined the National Open Youth Orchestra, I had nowhere to play, even though I loved music." - Jonah, NOYO trombonist.

🫵Your donation will support more young musicians like Jonah and Holli to play in accessible ensembles: bit.ly/BigGiveOUM

@biggive.bsky.social #ArtsForImpact
March 22, 2025 at 8:55 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
🎻 NOYO Ensembles are auditioned because they're for young disabled musicians who could progress towards a career in music if there were no barriers. There's no requirement to read music or to have taken graded exams to apply.

✨ 11-25 year-olds musicians can apply by 31 March 👉 noyo.org.uk/apply/
March 21, 2025 at 9:31 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
📺 Watch young disabled musicians share what being part of an Open Orchestra means to them.

🫶 Donate, so more young people in special schools have the opportunity to express themselves through music and perform: bit.ly/BigGiveOUM

📅 Every £1 you gift will be doubled thanks to @biggive.bsky.social.
March 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
openupmusic.bsky.social
🌟 We're taking part in the #ArtsForImpact @biggive.bsky.social campaign! In this clip, Barry shares how you can create life-changing opportunities for young disabled musicians through our programmes.

✅ Every £1 you give until 25 March will be doubled thanks to match funding!

🔗 bit.ly/OUMBigGive
March 18, 2025 at 12:04 PM
openupmusic.bsky.social
🥳We're so excited to announce the National Open Youth Orchestra's 2025 tour dates... Including their first-ever concert in Cardiff!

Performances are relaxed with £1 tickets for under 25s and a livestream ticket option.

Book your tickets now! noyo.org.uk/2025-concerts/

#InclusiveMusic
A concert poster with information about the National Open Youth Orchestras 2025 concert series. Text reads: "National Open Youth Orchestra. Ring Out! No more barriers, just great music. London, Milton Court Concert Hall, 27.4.25. Poole, Lighthouse, 10.5.25. Cardiff, Hoddinott Hall, 17.5.25. Birmingham, Birmingham Town Hall, 8.6.25."
March 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
openupmusic.bsky.social
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

To celebrate St David's Day, bassist and violinist Josh asked members of the Cardiff NOYO Ensemble what music means to them.

Apply to join a Regional NOYO Ensemble 👉 bit.ly/4jWq4cC

#DyddGwylDewi #StDavidsDay #InclusiveMusic
A young musician plays bass guitar. Text reads: "Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus! Josh asked some of the Cardiff NOYO Ensemble musicians, what does music mean to you?" A young musician stands with a cor anglais. Text reads: "Pea: 'I enjoy the way it brings people together.'" A young musician plays violin. Text reads: "Bethan: 'I come from a very musical family so when I think of music I think of my family, including those who aren’t here anymore. Being Welsh, I see Wales as the land of song.'”
March 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM