The original Yorkshire Youth Orchestra was formed as part of the Yorkshire Youth Music Association in the late 1950s. There was also, as part of that Association, a Yorkshire Youth Band and a Yorkshire Youth Choir. The Association was funded and administrated by the Youth Services of the West Riding C.C. and the Borough Councils of all the Yorkshire Ridings. There was a committee of Youth Officers and Music Advisers for each separate ensemble.

     
Yorkshire Youth Orchestra Members List - Click Here   Join YYO - Click Here
 
With the reorganisation of local government in 1973 the Orchestra was dissolved. It was felt that each of the new, larger Metropolitan Boroughs could create its own Youth Orchestra. Whilst this did happen, it was at the expense of the higher standards of advanced playing which could be developed in a regional orchestra.

With the aim of providing this facility, the YYO was re-established in 1997 by Northern Orchestral Enterprises Ltd. under the leadership of John Pryce-Jones as a way for advanced musicians throughout the Yorkshire area to gain knowledge of orchestral playing alongside experienced professionals. The Orchestra is run alongside two of the North's finest orchestras (The North of England Chamber and Concert Orchestras) and it is from these that the instrumental tutors are drawn for YYO courses.

Several past members of the orchestra have moved on to careers in the arts - either in professional performance, teaching, arts administration or other associated careers.

The current Yorkshire Youth Orchestra  

The orchestra meets twice a year for residential courses, generally held during the Spring and Summer holidays at various venues throughout our region. The Orchestra has a membership over 100 young players from all over Yorkshire, aged between 11 and 25. The aim is to provide advanced young players the opportunity to work in a professional environment under the inspired direction of John Pryce-Jones and with from tutors who are all professional players in NOEL’s own orchestras. 


The future looks bright for young musicians in Yorkshire and NOEL looks forward to developing all aspects of the orchestra's work.  

 
Future plans:-        (please see the Hot news section for dates, times and venues)
       
Jan/Feb Auditions (vacancies in all sections) click Join YYO above for an application form
   
Spring

Residential Course, culminating in a public performance
 
Summer

Residential Course, culminating in a public performance
 

The YYO also hold Playing Days during the year for members and guests, for details on these or any of the above events please contact the YYO Coordinator on 01422 330533 or check the Hot News section of this website.