The mission of the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choir is to use music as a means of international dialogue, knowing no boundaries.

The Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choir brings together communities across The Commonwealth through music, transcending all cultural, political, social and economic boundaries. It delivers its mission through a three-point plan: "Engage-Educate-Empower" and through its pan-Commonwealth music activities and its unique education initiative - the Commonwealth Music Partnership - which is linking all the choirs, orchestras and music schools in The Commonwealth for opportunities exchange and collaboration.

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth (1952 - 2022), uniquely honoured the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choir as its Diamond Jubilee Patron 2012.

As part of The Diamond Jubilee Legacy, the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choir established the Commonwealth Children's Orchestra & Choir and the Commonwealth Orchestra, which creates platforms and employment for musicians in all 56 countries of the Commonwealth.

On Monday 7 February 2022 at 12 noon, To mark and celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of The Commonwealth (1952 – 2022), The Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir (CYO) announced the launch of The Commonwealth Music Academy.

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of The Commonwealth (1952 - 2022)
Diamond Jubilee Patron 2012, Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir
“The Commonwealth has an inspiring way of bringing people together and the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir is a reminder of how truly vibrant this international family is.”
The Queen’s Christmas Message 2017

The Rt Hon. the Lord Howell of Guildford
President, Royal Commonwealth Society and Chairman, Council of Commonwealth Societies
Honorary Vice-President, Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir
“I personally regard the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir as one of the jewels in The Commonwealth crown and should be 'on display' at every opportunity!”

His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General (2008-2016)
Patron, Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir
"Director-General, Sally Shebe is a Commonwealth Pioneer - with courage and determination she has delivered the extraordinary achievements and ground-breaking work of the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra & Choir, with an unique vision of using the soft power of music as a means of international dialogue throughout all 54  countries of The Commonwealth."

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Commonwealth Secretary-General (2016 - )
Patron, Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir
“It is a huge pleasure and privilege to hold the baton that has been passed to me by the Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma. There is much for us to do for the Secretary-General’s vision for the orchestra and choir and I hope that together we will make great music, in harmony with each other.”

“A Song For The Commonwealth” words and music
by Simon Haw MBE. Performed by
53 members of the Commonwealth Children’s Choir, and
the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra with musicians of the Household Division.
Recorded and produced by Abbey Road Studios on 20 May 2016.

This video shows members of the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra,
Commonwealth Children’s Choir and some of their
Commonwealth Music Partners across the 56 countries of
The Commonwealth.
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On Friday 18th October 2013
The Commonwealth Youth Orchestra
and Children’s Choir, conducted by Paul Carroll,
performed at Buckingham Palace for
Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,
Head of the Commonwealth (1952 - 2022).

The Commonwealth Anthem performed by the
Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Children’s Choir.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studio 2 on 11 of February 2015.

The Commonwealth Youth Orchestra performing Handel’s Water Music in a recording made at Abbey Road Studios in July 2011 for the Diamond Jubilee Thames River Pageant celebrating The Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen on 3 June 2012.
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