About Spires Youth Orchestra

Membership of the Spires Youth Orchestra is open to anyone between the ages of 11 and 21 inclusive who can get to rehearsals and concerts. There is no requirement to attend a school in any particular local authority, and we endeavour to schedule rehearsals and concerts so that players can still attend events in their local authority music service. But since the catchment area for the SYO is very much larger than any local authority in the region, we can aim for the highest standards.

Entry to the SYO is by audition only, as arranged by the SYO Manager (hyperlink). As a guide, we expect grade 7+ standard for wind and grade 6+ for strings, though you need not have actually taken the examinations. Wind places are limited by the orchestration, so standards in some cases could be much higher.

The most capable players, especially in the strings, can expect to be invited to perform regularly with the Spires Philharmonic Orchestra.

At present, SYO fees are £60 per term. For this, players get seven professionally-coached rehearsals (including one or two sectional evenings), one day school and one concert per term. However, the orchestra meets every week except half-term, to keep up the momentum of playing, under volunteer conductors. An annual tour in the summer is also planned, which will be self-funded by the participants.

Rehearsals are at present held in The Old Library, Leamington Spa. This has a large atrium for the main orchestra and a number of smaller rooms for sectionals, and vegetarian cafe open in the evenings.