Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra
The Friends of Norfolk County Youth Orchestra (registered charity number 1123478) is a UK nonprofit organisation established to support the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra (NCYO). Founded alongside the orchestra itself, which began in 1959, the charity focuses on fostering musical education and performance opportunities for young musicians in Norfolk[2][3][4].

Objectives and Activities
The charity provides financial assistance, including bursaries, to ensure accessibility for musicians aged 11–18, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds. It funds NCYO’s bi-annual training courses during spring and autumn half-terms, which include intensive rehearsals, workshops, and public concerts under professional guidance[3][4]. In recent years, the charity introduced NCYO Springboard, a training orchestra for players at Grades 3–5, to create a pathway into the senior ensemble, which requires Grade 6 proficiency or higher[3].

Governance and Partnerships
The Friends of NCYO operates independently but collaborates closely with Guildhall Young Artists Norwich, part of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, to deliver high-caliber orchestral training. Membership in NCYO is contingent on auditions, with the charity ensuring logistical and financial support for participants[3][5]. Its activities align with broader educational goals to develop technical skills, confidence, and collaborative musicianship among Norfolk’s youth[4][5].

[1] https://fncyo.org.uk [2] https://fncyo.org.uk/ncyo [3] https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-guildhall/children-and-young-people/guildhall-young-artists/guildhall-young-artists-norwich/norfolk-county-youth-orchestra [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1123478 [5] https://www.nmhub.co.uk/site/ensemble-map/norfolk-county-youth-orchestra-2/