Carnegie Hall

(May 7, 2020; NEW YORK, NY)— Carnegie Hall today announced that the annual summer residency with its three acclaimed national youth ensembles—the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), NYO2, and NYO Jazz—will move to an all-digital programming format this summer in light of the ongoing effects of COVID-19. From July 6-17, 2020, 200+ talented teen musicians from across the United States, each selected by competitive audition, will take part in a wide range of virtual musical experiences, working with a faculty of distinguished artists as well as NYO program alumni.

Over the two weeks, the young classical and jazz players, ages 14-19, will engage in online training, mentorship, and performances led by an all-star faculty made up of principal players from top American orchestras and esteemed jazz artists. In addition to private lessons, studio sectionals, and masterclasses to further develop their artistry, they will also have the opportunity to make music together as part of an inspiring community of extraordinary musicians. Further details about the national youth ensembles’ summer 2020 digital offerings, including a schedule of events available for viewing by audiences at home, will be announced in June.

“While we regret that we will not be able to convene these incredible ensembles in person this summer, we thought it was very important to bring our NYO community together in a creative way, enabling them to learn, collaborate, and interact from home,” said Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall. “As we face this difficult time, we need the shared passion, commitment, and enthusiasm of our NYO musicians more than ever. We are grateful to our amazing faculty who will provide extraordinary training opportunities designed to elevate their talents this summer, and we look forward to a time when the ensembles can come together in person once again.”

This cancellation of the national youth ensembles’ annual on-campus training residency at Purchase College, State University of New York follows an early April announcement that all summer 2020 touring for the three groups would not move ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the groups’ training residency, this summer’s plans were to have included a North American tour by NYO-USA; an NYO2 residency in Miami in partnership with the New World Symphony; NYO Jazz’s inaugural tour to South Africa as well as concerts by all three groups at Carnegie Hall.


About Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Ensembles
Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute brings together extraordinary teen classical and jazz musicians from across the country to form its highly-acclaimed national youth ensembles. Following a highly selective audition process and two-week training residency at Purchase College, State University of New York with faculty made up of principal players from top professional orchestras and leading jazz masters, these remarkable teenagers perform at Carnegie Hall and embark on tours to some of the great music capitals around the world, serving as dynamic music ambassadors.

Since launching the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (ages 16-19) in 2013, Carnegie Hall has built on the program’s success by introducing two additional ensembles. These include NYO2, a sister ensemble for younger teens (ages 14-17) in 2016, and NYO Jazz in 2018. Each of these highly-selective programs—free to all participants—is dedicated to the proposition that talented young musicians thrive when they have the opportunity to expand their musical, social, and cultural horizons and share their artistry with audiences around the globe. Since the program’s inception in 2013, the ensembles have performed in leading concert halls in 15 countries around the world, thrilling audiences across Europe, North America, South America, and Asia, collaborating with internationally-renowned conductors and guest soloists.

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NYO-USA Supporters
Lead Donors: Hope and Robert F. Smith, Marina Kellen French and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, The Kovner Foundation, Beatrice Santo Domingo, and Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari.

Global Ambassadors: Hope and Robert F. Smith, and Maggie and Richard Tsai.

Major funding has been provided by The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, The Carl Jacobs Foundation, JMCMRJ Sorrell Foundation, and Joyce and George Wein Foundation, Inc.

Additional funding has been provided by Sarah Arison, The Jack Benny Family Foundation, Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and Mary Anne Huntsman Morgan and The Huntsman Foundation.

Founder Patrons: Blavatnik Family Foundation; Nicola and Beatrice Bulgari; The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation; Marina Kellen French and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation; The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Family Foundation; Ronald O. Perelman; Robertson Foundation; Beatrice Santo Domingo; Hope and Robert F. Smith; Sarah Billinghurst Solomon and Howard Solomon; and Joan and Sanford I. Weill and the Weill Family Foundation.


NYO2 Supporters
Lead Donors: Hope and Robert F. Smith, Marina Kellen French and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, The Kovner Foundation, and Beatrice Santo Domingo.

Global Ambassadors: Hope and Robert F. Smith, and Maggie and Richard Tsai.

Leadership support for NYO2 is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Major support for NYO2 is provided by Sarah Billinghurst Solomon and Howard Solomon, and Joyce and George Wein Foundation, Inc.

Founder Patron: Beatrice Santo Domingo.

With additional funding provided by Ardian US Foundation, Sarah Arison, and Ernst & Young LLP.

Public support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.


NYO Jazz Supporters
Lead Donors: Hope and Robert F. Smith, Marina Kellen French and the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, The Kovner Foundation, and Beatrice Santo Domingo.

Global Ambassadors: Hope and Robert F. Smith, and Maggie and Richard Tsai.

Major support has been provided by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Clive and Anya Gillinson, Sarah Billinghurst Solomon and Howard Solomon, and Joyce and George Wein Foundation, Inc.

Additional support has been provided by Sarah Arison, and Bank of America.

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Learn more about NYO-USA, NYO2, and NYO Jazz.
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Image at top of release by © Chris Lee.