'Join some of South Gloucestershire's most outstanding young musicians'
Formed in 2008, the South Gloucestershire Youth Orchestra (SGYO) gives the area's most outstanding young musicians the opportunity to work together and perform popular orchestral repertoire to the highest standards.
SGYO is organised and directed by Music Service tutors Dury Loveridge and Sarah Eales, who also work as professional orchestral musicians. The standards and expectations are high, and judges at the 2008 Music For Youth Regional Festival in Cwmbran praised the group highly:
'You have rehearsed very carefully, and there is splendid and confident work from many players'
'...a lively and powerful performance...'
'A very well-disciplined group'
'You captured an energy and power, aided by some thrilling percussion work. A promising group, keep it up!'
SGYO is open to all musicians in South Gloucestershire and neighbouring areas (whether they have instrumental lessons in school or privately) who have reached a minimum standard of approximately Grade 5 on an orchestral instrument (Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion). Entrance is strictly by audition with publicised auditions taking place in May each year, although applications through the Music Service are accepted throughout the year. Those attending auditions are asked to prepare two contrasting pieces of their own choice, and will be sent some short orchestral excerpts to prepare. Players who are successful at audition will be invited to the 'repertoire days' and will be given a place in the reserve pool of players if no immediate place is available. All players are also put on the orchestra's mailing list, and will receive the termly newsletter keeping them up-to-date with the latest news and plans for the group.
Application forms are available from South Gloucestershire secondary schools, instrumental teachers or the Music Service, and can be submitted at any time during the year.
Rehearsal Dates
2012
June 27 & 29
July 4, 6, 11