Welcome to Hampshire County Youth Orchestra

Hampshire County Youth Orchestra is part of Hampshire Music Service.  The organisation is made up of three different orchestras: the String Orchestra, the County Youth Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra.  The Chamber Orchestra is chosen from players within the CYO.   

One audition covers all three of the ensembles in the HCYO family. Auditions are open to all and normally take place in June and July.  

Rehearsals are fortnightly on Saturdays at Thornden School, Chandlers Ford during term time.  The County Youth Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra are conducted by Tom Seligman and the String Orchestra is conducted by Spike Wilson. 

All of the HCYO ensembles are enjoying a full and exciting year during 2009-2010.

There will be a summer tour for the County Youth Orchestra to Provence in July 2010, plus our annual HCYO residential course at Bryanston School in the Easter holiday for all three orchestras.

The String Orchestra, County Youth Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra have a busy programme of concerts around the county, as well as festival appearances and collaborations with other groups.

All our concerts in Hampshire are open to the public.

Membership of HCYO is open to young people up to the age of 19 years who are in full-time school or college education.  For more infomation about eligibility and auditions, visit the auditions page.

Our provisional programmed of concerts and rehearsals is now available here