Somerset Youth Orchestra
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About us Somerset Youth Orchestra
Since its formation in 1973 the SYO has been offering high quality orchestral playing to young musicians from all over Somerset. A large number of the students who have played in this group have been inspired by their musical experiences to pursue the subject to a very high level. Countless numbers of our members have studied, or are studying music at university or music college. Many have become professional musicians working as performers or teachers. Some even work for the County Music Service, Somerset Music who support the orchestra!
The orchestra is a full sized symphony orchestra and recent performances have included Parade by Erik Satie, Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky, Mahler Symphony No 5, Bartok Concerto For Orchestra and Shostakovich Symphony No 5, 8 & 10.
Facebook Contact us2023-24 update
Please click the link below to view our dates for 2023-24. We are in the process of confirming all of the rehearsal venues and as soon as these have been confirmed we will update the date sheet accordingly.
| ORCHESTRA EASTER COURSE 2024 | Times | Venue |
| REHEARSAL Tuesday 2nd ApriL | 10:00am – 5.00pm | Willowdown Primary Academy, Kings Drive, Bridgwater, TA6 4FU |
| REHEARSAL Wednesday 3rd April | 10:00am – 5.00pm | Willowdown Primary Academy, Kings Drive, Bridgwater, TA6 4FU |
| REHEARSAL Thursday 4th April | 10:00am – 5.00pm | Willowdown Primary Academy, Kings Drive, Bridgwater, TA6 4FU |
| REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE Friday 5th April | Rehearsal 1:00pm – 5.00pm Concert 7.30pm – 9.30pm | St John the Baptist's Church, High Street Glastonbury, BA6 9DR |
SUMMER COURSE 2024
This will now be a four-day local course. It will run at some point between Saturday 20th – Wednesday 24th July 2024 so please save these dates in your diaries!
SYO Dates 23-24Find out more What we do
The orchestra meets at the end of each academic term for an intensive course (usually 4 days). The orchestra is conducted by Andrew Sherwood, Violin Professor from Trinity College London. Each section of the orchestra will have a specialist tutor who will guide the young performers through rehearsals. Each day of the course has a mix of full and sectional rehearsals culminating in a concert at the end of the course which is open to all members of the public.
The final course in the academic year is usually held overseas. We are truly international artists and these courses have included performances in Paris, Florence, Prague, Salzburg, Dublin and most recently Holland. Somerset County Youth Orchestra was also the first Orchestra to perform in the European Parliament in Brussels.
How to join Auditions and Subscription
Auditions for joining the Orchestra are held annually in October and those wishing to join must be able to play at grade 5 standard or above.
Application forms will be posted on this website at the start of the academic year and copies are also sent to music departments in both maintained and independent schools across the county.
Somerset Youth Orchestra receive some financial assistance from Arts Council England via the local music Hub, Sound Foundation Somerset but need to raise the majority of its running costs from subscriptions.
For more information please contact the Orchestra Manager, Martin Wills martin.wills@somerset.gov.uk or Somerset Music on 0300 123 7364 somersetmusic@somerset.gov.uk
2022/23 Subscription
The subscription will be £190 for the year 2023/24. (additional siblings, university students and pupil premium 50% reduction)
This can paid in two instalments if preferred, the first at the start of the Autumn term and the second by the end of January 2023.
Orchestra Membership Form 2023/24Follow us Get social
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Phone us on 0300 1237364 or send us a message