Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra (CYJO) is heading to one of the world’s most famous concert venues this November, after being selected to perform at the Music for Youth Proms 2026 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The orchestra, which is run by Cornwall Music Service Trust (CMST), will perform on Tuesday 10 November 2026, joining more than 1,500 young musicians for an unforgettable evening celebrating youth music from across the UK.
The Music for Youth Proms takes place across two nights, on 9 and 10 November, and will bring together more than 3,000 young performers in total. The programme showcases an enormous range of musical styles, from jazz, rock and pop to orchestras, choirs, steel pan groups and marching bands.
A huge opportunity for Cornwall's young musicians
CYJO's invitation follows their performance at the Music for Youth National Festival in Birmingham earlier this year, where the orchestra had the opportunity to represent Cornwall on a national stage.
At the Royal Albert Hall, CYJO will perform an energetic medley of funk and soul classics as part of the evening's programme.
Gareth Churcher, Head of Service at Cornwall Music Service Trust, said:
“Thanks to the kind support of local funders, including the Phoenix Tanner Trust, and the people who support CYJO, the orchestra has received this invitation following its performance at the National Festival of Music for Youth in Birmingham earlier this year.
“Performing at the Royal Albert Hall will be one of the most special musical events and experiences for these children and young people, and we are incredibly excited to see them representing Cornwall on such an important national stage.”
The opportunity marks another significant achievement for the ensemble and gives its young musicians the chance to perform at a venue that has hosted some of the world's most celebrated artists.
Celebrating young musicians from across the UK
Now in its 51st year, the Music for Youth Proms has been celebrating the creativity, dedication and talent of young musicians since 1975, when the event was originally known as the Schools Prom.
Over the years, it has provided early performance opportunities for musicians including Nigel Kennedy, Dame Evelyn Glennie and Nicholas Daniel.
Phil Castang MBE, CEO of Music for Youth, said:
“The Music for Youth Proms showcases the brilliance of young musicians from across the whole UK. It is a show like no other and recognises that young people make great music and can captivate audiences on the most important stages.”
The 2026 Proms will also feature the world premiere of As I Rise, a major new commission by composer James B. Wilson, with lyrics by poet and former Children’s Laureate Wales Alex Wharton.
Inspired by human ambition, innovation and NASA's Artemis missions, the work will bring together a massed children's choir and full orchestra. The piece has been commissioned in partnership with BBC Ten Pieces, ABRSM and the Royal Albert Hall.
Support CYJO at the Royal Albert Hall
CYJO will perform at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 10 November 2026.
It promises to be a memorable evening for the orchestra, their families and everyone involved with music education in Cornwall, as some of the county's talented young musicians take their place alongside performers from across the UK.
Tickets and full programme information for the Music for Youth Proms 2026 are available at:
About Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra
Cornwall Youth Jazz Orchestra provides talented young musicians from across Cornwall with opportunities to develop their ensemble playing, improvisation and performance skills while exploring a wide range of jazz, funk, soul and contemporary repertoire.
CYJO is run by Cornwall Music Service Trust (CMST) as part of its programme of ensembles and musical opportunities for children and young people across Cornwall.
