Edinburgh is set to lose one of its most important cultural organisations, with Britain�s national youth orchestra organisation planning to move to London, The Herald can reveal.

Edinburgh is set to lose one of its most important cultural organisations, with Britain's national youth orchestra organisation planning to move to London, The Herald can reveal.

The National Association of Youth Orchestras (NAYO) has had its headquarters in the Scottish capital since 1980.

However, staff at the NAYO have been told it is to move to England so that, one source said, it can be "closer to the centres of power".

The future of the annual Festival of British Youth Orchestras - an event organised by the NAYO every summer in Glasgow and Edinburgh and considered the premiere event of its type in Britain - is also being reviewed.

The NAYO, which was established in 1961, has been based in offices in Edinburgh for nearly 30 years, but staff, some of whom have already handed in their notice, were told last week that it is to leave the city in the autumn of this year.

The NAYO, whose president is Sir Simon Rattle, is based in the Central Hall in Tollcross and its operations are funded by a variety of sources, from membership subscriptions, charitable trusts, and private sponsorship, especially in Scotland, from the John Lewis Partnership. It also receives financial support from the Youth Music organisation, which is based in London.

Yesterday, Professor George Caird, the chairman of the NAYO, admitted that the organisation was undergoing a "period of change" which was being aided by the advice of consultants, a process which is ongoing and not complete.

Professor Caird, who is the principal of the Birmingham Conservatoire, said that the festival would be staged this year and in 2009, but added that it was being examined as part of the review of how the NAYO functions.

He said that the majority of the NAYO's membership fees came from youth orchestras in England. He said that a move to London was not 100% certain, but added: "We are looking at what the future for the NAYO will be, we have to look at the word national' in our name, and how that applies to the rest of the UK.

"The membership is divided between Scotland and England, and what we want to do is have an organisation that is fit for purpose' for the future, we want to be a carefully planned operation.

"Although we want to be important in Scotland we want to fulfil our remit in England as well."

He added: "It is very important to say to orchestras and those involved in youth orchestras in Scotland that nothing negative is going to happen."

Carol Main, the first paid employee of the NAYO, who built the organisation up as its director from 1979 to 2003, said she was "bewildered, frustrated and saddened" by the decision.

"Scotland has nurtured and sustained this organisation for many years, and I do not remember anyone ever saying to me, I don't know why you are based in Edinburgh'," she said last night.

"Indeed, people used to feel it was refreshing and novel that we were based here.

"Back before devolution, I did have problems with funding being controlled by the Department of Education in London and the education wing of the Scottish Office, but things have moved on now, it really should not be a problem.

"The solution, surely, is to have an office in London and keep the one in Scotland, and eventually have one in Wales and Northern Ireland too.

"If the festival, too, is going to be reviewed, that is bad news for young musicians in Scotland. It will be very sad if there are no assurances about its future."

The festival's concerts take place in Central Hall in Edinburgh and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.

A spokeswoman from the RSAMD said: "It has been wonderful having the festival at the RSAMD each summer, not only bringing young musicians from the UK to the Academy but also young people from all over Europe. It is regrettable it is leaving Scotland."

The move away from Edinburgh comes at a time when the capital is particularly sensitive about its position as a cultural centre: the Thundering Hooves report has warned its main festivals that competition from other cities will undermine its status in the years to come.

The National Association of Youth Orchestras was formed in 1961 in order to represent youth orchestras throughout the UK and aid their development.

Its membership is open to the whole variety of student orchestras, chamber orchestras, symphonic, wind and jazz orchestras and chamber music ensembles.

This year's Festival of British Youth Orchestras will take place between August 9 and 31, the 29th time it has run in Edinburgh, and the 21st time it has been staged in Glasgow.

In the capital, it is part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and runs alongside the Edinburgh International Festival.

Striking a chord

The National Association of Youth Orchestras

• Although it was established in 1961, it was not until 1980 that it had an office for a headquarters, in Edinburgh.

• Its membership is UK-wide and includes student orchestras, chamber orchestras, symphonic, wind and jazz orchestras and chamber music ensembles.

• There have been 29 Festivals of British Youth Orchestras, 21 in Glasgow. This year's is from August 9 to 31.

• Concerts are at Central Hall in Edinburgh and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.

• Talents that have passed through the festival include leading conductors such as Garry Walker, James Lowe and Andrea Quinn.