The National Orchestra of Malta felt the need to organize its Youth Orchestra to attract a number of potentially good young musicians and give them the necessary formation of professional orchestra musicians to acceptable standards. The youth orchestra is made up of thirty young musicians, the average age is eighteen, who have been carefully selected by Music Director Michael Laus in collaboration with principal musicians from the National Orchestra. Most of the musicians chosen are in fact students of  National Orchestra members.

Although there has been a marked improvement in the standard of solo playing these last years, the teaching of orchestral practice has, in general, virtually not produced the necessary standards.  The Youth Orchestra shall provide an avenue for young players to have the opportunity to extend themselves musically, to explore music that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to realise, rehearse and perform, and to experience aspects of music making that might otherwise be closed to them, such as participating in concerts with the National Orchestra of Malta.

Sessions with the National Youth Orchestra started early in August of  last year, and the inaugural concert was held on December 4, 2004, in the Grand Council Chamber of the President's Palace, Valletta. The programme consisted of: Suite from Purcell's  The Fairie Queen,  Mozart's Symphony No.9 in C major K.73, and Haydn's Symphony No. 103 in E flat major, 'Drum Roll'.

Rehearsal sessions are held weekly in the premises of the National Orchestra and are conducted by Michael Laus. National Orchestra leader Marcelline Agius and other players from the National Orchestra take part in rehearsals as leaders of the various sections and regularly conduct sectional rehearsals. 

A small number of the young musicians have already been invited to participate in concerts by the National Orchestra. The whole ensemble joined forces with the National Orchestra in a concert that was held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on Sunday, 17 April 2005. The programme included Symphonic Poem "Finlandia" Op. 26 by Sibelius,  Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op.18 with the participation of the renowned pianist IGOR ARDASEV, and Mahler's Symphony No.1 in D Major "Titan".