The Orchestra
The Hampshire County Youth Orchestra is a collection of the best of the county's instrumental players, giving them the opportunity to perform in a full symphony orchestra. It is made up of three member orchestras:
* Hampshire County Youth Orchestra
* Hampshire County Youth Chamber Orchestra
* Hampshire County Youth String Orchestra
The Hampshire County Youth Orchestra gives the best of the county's instrumental players the opportunity to perform in a full symphony orchestra. Formed in 1956 - and shaped into its current form by Edgar Holmes in 1971 - the orchestra performs several times a year in a wide range of concert venues both in Hampshire and further afield.
The Hampshire County Youth Orchestra consists of around 140 players who are drawn from schools all over the county. Yearly auditions take place and successful new members are welcomed into the orchestra each September. Rehearsals are held fortnightly and the orchestra holds a residential course during the Easter holiday at Bryanston School, Dorset.
During the year players receive expert coaching from professional musicians.
The String Orchestra acts, in part, as a training orchestra, but it also has its own conductor and team of tutors. It performs with the CYO, and also performs in concerts with other Hampshire ensembles.
Find out more about the orchestras and our programme of rehearsals and perfomances here
Patrons
The HCYO is honoured to have as its patron The Duchess of Wellington. She writes:
I have been associated with The Hampshire County Youth Orchestra for many years and I have been proud to see the orchestra go from strength to strength. It is a delight for audiences to witness the enthusiasm of these young people, their commitment and hard work.
They represent the very best in today's youth and give us good cause for optimism in thinking about the future they are creating.
HCYO Performances
All three member orchestras making up the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra play several concerts a year, requiring a demanding fortnightly rehearsal schedule operating throughout the academic year. They have also recorded a number of CDs, and undertaken international tours in South Africa, Poland, Hungary and Chile. In 2008 the String Orchestra toured to Spain and in 2010 the CYO is touring to Provence.
In 2000, the County Youth Orchestra premiered Eleanor Alberga's Mythologies under Leonard Slatkin, the Chief Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
In 2001, the Wind and String Orchestras commissioned and premiered a work by David Bedford entitled Sprites, Elves and Blue Jets.
The orchestra has also broadcast on BBC Radio 3, 4 and Classic FM in association with Sainsbury's Youth Orchestra Series.
Collaborations
Our ensembles and players collaborate often with other groups.
Many CYO and SO players recently played at The Royal Albert Hall in the Music for Youth Schools Prom in November 2009. With hundreds of young musicians, singers, actors and dancers from across the county, they performed in the Workd Premiere of Darwin's Dilemma by Stephen McNeff and Richard Williams.
The Chamber Orchestra recently collaborated with dancers from The Universty of Winchester in a new work to music by CPE Bach.
Past and current players have had their compostions premiered at CYO concerts alongside the established repertoire.
The County Youth Chamber Orchestra has an ongoing and frutiful relationship with Southern Sinfonia.
Hampshire Music Service
The Hampshire County Youth Orchestras are supported by the Hampshire Music Service. Hampshire Music Service (HMS) is acknowledged as one of the most successful Music Service providers in England today. Over 12,000 pupils receive instrumental tuition in schools and colleges each week from qualified specialist teachers. Exceptionally talented young musicians can audition for a Music Award, giving them access to individual lessons. Primary school class music teaching, a full range of ensemble opportunities and inspection / advisory services are also available.