Since its inception in 1948 the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain has blazed a trail in following its driving ethos of being “the most inspirational orchestra for young people”. It has now given over 550 concerts and nurtured over 5,000 musicians, including some notable alumni such as Birmingham favourite Sir Simon Rattle. Its 165 musicians are all aged between 13 and 19 and the single greatest thing about the NYO is anyone under the age of 25 can get a ticket for £5. Of course none of this would mean a thing if the music was rubbish but the NYO has consistently been at the top its game winning a raft of awards such as the Queen’s Medal for Music. Conducted by John Wilson the NYO will be performing three pieces. Brett Dean’s haunting Cosmonaut inspired ‘Komarov’s Fall’, Szymanowski’s joyous ‘Symphonie Concertante’ and best of all Rachmaninov’s glorious ‘Symphony No. 2’. The event is being broadcast live by BBC Radio 3.

Fri 6 Jan 7.30pm at the Symphony Hall, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EA £5 if under 25 otherwise £12.50 to £28 www.thsh.co.uk/