The NSYO Symphony Orchestra was first formed in 1983, followed by the establishment of  the String Orchestra  in 1994 and Sinfonia—a more advanced string ensemble,  in 1985 (check date 1995?). In 2001, a new woodwind and brass ensemble began rehearsals, which evolved into the Wind Ensemble. 

Since it early beginnings, NSYO has grown significantly and now has over one hundred and fifty talented young musicians aged from 5 to 25 years as members of the four orchestras. Players come mainly from the northern and north-western suburbs of Sydney, although some members travel from other more distant Sydney suburbs.

In 2007 the NSYO travelled to Vienna to participate in the International Youth & Music Festival. In 2009, members of the wind ensemble and symphony orchestra participated in a concert tour of  the central west of NSW. During the 2011 July school break, the Sinfonia, the Wind Ensemble and the Symphony Orchestra toured to Dubbo and other towns in the north western area of NSW.