About
The National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) is an American youth orchestra organized by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. It was established in 2012, and its first concert tour took place in the summer of 2013.
Each summer, following an application and audition process, about 120 musicians ages 16 to 19 attend a two-week residency at Purchase College, New York, followed by a national or international tour.
History
In January 2012 Carnegie Hall announced the launch of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA). The orchestra was created by Weill Music Institute, the hall's music education and community outreach wing. The NYO-USA was set up along broadly similar lines to the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
Organization and Administration
Supported by a faculty of principal players from professional American orchestras, the musicians' preparation during NYO-USA’s residency is overseen by the orchestra director. The current orchestra director is James E. Ross.
The NYO-USA has no permanent music director and instead will be led by a different renowned conductor each summer. The inaugural guest conductor is Russian conductor Valery Gergiev.