Woolwich, London | Sunday 22 November 2026
Some of the UK’s most exciting young musicians are heading to Woolwich Works on Sunday 22 November for the National Children’s Orchestras winter finale. Aged just 13 and 14, the members of NCO’s eldest orchestra will play their final concert together, conducted by Andrew Morley. With a programme that travels from outer space to the American West, it is a joyful afternoon out for music lovers of every age.
1. A programme from outer space to the Wild West
The concert is packed with big, crowd-pleasing orchestral music. It opens up the cosmos with “Mars”, “Venus” and “Jupiter” from Holst’s The Planets Suite. Film fans will love the “Main Title”, “Princess Leia’s Theme” and “Imperial March” from John Williams’ Star Wars Suite. Gershwin’s An American in Paris brings a dash of city glamour, before Copland’s Rodeo Suite heads out west with “Corral Nocturne”, “Saturday Night Waltz” and “Hoe-Down”. It is a brilliantly varied line-up that should keep everyone, young and old, hooked from start to finish.
2. A big moment for talented young players
This is a farewell concert for the orchestra’s 13 and 14-year-old members before they move on to their next adventures. The music has been explored across two residential orchestral programmes during 2026. Over the year the players have also taken part in artist workshops, creative work, wellbeing sessions and an online programme. NCO Chief Executive Sophie Lewis said: “At just 13 and 14, their creativity, skill, resilience and sheer flair are remarkable.” Being in the audience for a milestone like this is genuinely moving.
3. Arrive early for Painting Pictures with Sound
Before the music begins, conductor Andrew Morley and members of the orchestra will host a special Q&A called Painting Pictures with Sound. The session explores how an orchestra can tell stories without words, from cowboys and cities to spaceships and planets. It starts at 2pm, an hour before the concert, so it is well worth getting there early. It is a lovely way for curious children, and adults, to understand what they are about to hear. Hearing from the young players themselves makes it all the more special.
4. Free tickets for young musicians
NCO is keen to welcome young musicians and their families through its First Experience ticket offer. Complimentary tickets are available for children who play an instrument at school or with their local Music Education Hub. You can book up to two complimentary tickets by contacting info@nco.org.uk. If you have a budding musician at home, seeing performers just a few years older on stage could be a real inspiration. It might even plant the seed for joining an orchestra of their own one day.
5. A concert for absolutely everyone
You certainly don’t need to be a classical music expert to enjoy this one. As Sophie Lewis puts it: “NCO concerts are for everyone, and we’d love people to come and experience what it feels like to be in the room with this brilliant children’s orchestra, and to join us in celebrating the next generation of musicians.” National Children’s Orchestras works with children aged 8 to 14, and nearly 2,000 young people take part in its activities each year. A Sunday afternoon concert at Woolwich Works makes a cheerful start to the festive season. Bring the grandparents, bring the kids and prepare to be impressed.
Tickets and info
National Children’s Orchestras Winter Concert
Woolwich Works, London
Sunday 22 November 2026
Pre-concert Q&A at 2pm, concert at 3pm
First Experience complimentary tickets: contact info@nco.org.uk