Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI) brings together the brightest young players from across the country to form the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), a free program for all participants. Following a comprehensive audition process and a multi-week training residency with leading professional orchestra musicians, these remarkable teenagers embark on a tour to some of the great music capitals of the world while serving as dynamic music ambassadors.

NYO-USA is a program for orchestral players ages 16–19 created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. Each summer, a group of the country’s most talented young instrumentalists comes together to interact with each other, learn from an all-star faculty, play under the direction of a celebrated conductor, and tour to different parts of the world, playing in some of the most famous concert halls. As a member of NYO-USA, you will be a musical ambassador, representing your home school/ensemble, your state/region, and your country. As a member of NYO-USA, you will be a musical ambassador, representing your home school and ensemble, your state and region, and your country.

NYO-USA will be a full-sized symphony orchestra of about 100 players. Musicians may apply on the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, tuba, and percussion (including timpani), and harp. In certain years, based on repertoire, there may be positions for other instruments. The 2022 orchestra does not include a position for orchestral keyboard.

2023 Session Application Closed. Exact dates for the program will not be established until further date, but is historically scheduled each year for three to four weeks between late June and mid August, depending on the tour destination and itinerary.

Citizenship: NYO-USA is open to US citizens or permanent residents (green card holders) from all backgrounds.

Age Limit: You must be between the ages of 16 and 19 during the summer of your participation. For 2023, this means your birthdate must be between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2007, without exception. Please note that if you are under 18 at the time that you apply, the consent of your parent or guardian is required.

Grade Level: Participation in NYO-USA is limited to high school students within the age range above. You must be enrolled in high school or the equivalent level of homeschooling during the 2022–2023 academic year to be eligible for the 2023 NYO-USA program. Gap-year students who graduated from high school in 2022 (or earlier) are not eligible.