Wessex Youth Orchestra facts for kids
The Wessex Youth Orchestra (WYO) is a special group for young musicians. It's like a big team of talented students who love playing music together. The orchestra is based in the Bournemouth and Poole areas of Dorset, England.
The WYO started in 1971, which means it has been around for over 50 years! About 100 students, usually from grades 6 to 8 and even older, are part of the orchestra. They play three concerts every year. Most of these concerts happen at the Wessex Hall, which is inside Lighthouse (Poole), a cool arts center. The orchestra has also traveled to play music in other parts of England and even in other countries. They have performed at music festivals and on tours, and their music has even been played on the BBC!
If you want to join the WYO, you need to try out in an audition. For string instruments like violins or cellos, you need to be at a Grade 6 level. For instruments like flutes, trumpets, or drums, you need to be at a Grade 7 level. The orchestra practices at St. Andrew's Hall. This hall is part of the Bournemouth and Poole College.
How the Orchestra Started
The Wessex Youth Orchestra had its very first practice in January 1971. This happened in the main hall of Poole College. Back then, it was called the Poole College Youth Orchestra. It started with a small group of musicians. There were a few violins, two cellos, many flutes and clarinets, one trumpet, and one horn.
In the early days, the orchestra did more than just play instruments. They also sang in a choir. They even put on two opera shows and a concert that included dancing. The students also got special lessons to play music in smaller groups, called chamber music.
Later, the Bournemouth and Poole Colleges joined together. Because of this, the orchestra changed its name. It became the Wessex Youth Orchestra. This new name showed that it was for the whole community of Wessex.
Don Riddell was the conductor of the orchestra from the very beginning until 2007. A conductor is like the leader of the orchestra. He was given a special award called the MBE in 1999. This award was for all his hard work with the Wessex Youth Orchestra. After Don Riddell passed away in 2007, his daughter, Susanna Riddell, became the new conductor.
Exciting Orchestra Tours
The Wessex Youth Orchestra has traveled a lot! In its more than 40 years, the orchestra has gone on 15 tours to different countries in Europe. Before 1999, Don Riddell led 12 of these tours.
After 1999, there were no tours for a while. Then, in 2009, the WYO went on a trip to the Black Forest with Susanna Riddell as their conductor. In 2010, they had a short tour to Cologne, where they played three concerts. In 2012, the WYO traveled to Austria. There, they took part in the famous Salzburg music festival.
Amazing Concerts
The WYO puts on three main concerts every year for everyone to enjoy. One is a fun Christmas show. Another is a summer charity "Prom" concert, which helps raise money for good causes. Their biggest show is the Gala Concert, which usually happens in March.
The orchestra has played in some really famous places! These include the Bournemouth Winter Gardens, the Royal Albert Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the Birmingham Symphony Hall, and the Bournemouth International Centre. Playing in these big venues is a huge achievement for young musicians!
|
See also
- List of youth orchestras