The inaugural PYO course took place in August 2015 with just 24 members but, since that time, the interest in PYO’s Music courses has increased dramatically alongside building a reputation for music-making at the highest level. So, in 2017/18, PYO is looking toward a new, exciting future for the young musicians of Peterborough, expanding its offer to even more young people.

PYO is launching two new ensembles to increase the PYO ‘family’ to three groups.

Peterborough Youth Orchestra

This orchestra is suitable for all Orchestral Musicians at grade 6 standard or above. The orchestra performs a range of classical orchestral repertoire.

Peterborough Youth Too

This orchestra is suitable for musicians at grade 3 standard or above. The orchestra will perform a range of orchestral arrangement from all music genres.

Peterborough Youth Jazz Ensemble

This groups is based around the standard jazz band instrumentation and will play a mix of jazz standards alongside more modern original compositions.

All three ensembles will meet for a four-day course annually during the August Bank Holiday week which, for 2017, will be Tuesday 29 August – Friday 1 September, with a concert on the final day. Throughout the week all these groups will be led by highly experienced course leaders working alongside sectional tutors with professional-level performance experience.

The Summer course is then supplemented by a 2-day workshop during February Half Term when the orchestras will come together and, alongside the Jazz Ensemble, give an informal concert of some new, more challenging, repertoire.

However, the PYO organisation is not just about the ensembles. There is also an appropriate mix of intense full and sectional rehearsals alongside social activities – a great way to make new friends. PYO events provide further opportunities too, exploring smaller ensemble repertoire or by taking part in a musical workshop or masterclass on topics such as improvisation.

The Peterborough Youth Orchestra courses for Summer 2017 will be charged at £50 per musician for the four days. This includes all music and professional tuition. However please note that this does not include food or refreshments for the four days and these will need to be provided each day by attendees.

It is also requested that each young musician brings a music stand to take part in the course, the dress code is casual for all rehearsals and ‘black and white’ for the performances.

Make an application today and enjoy a fantastic holiday experience. Email: musichub@peterborough.gov.uk for further details and application forms.