West Sussex Youth Orchestra

County ensemble

West Sussex Youth Orchestra offers talented musicians opportunities to develop their instrumental playing, build the skills needed to play in an orchestra, learn beautiful music and to have fun along the way.

Led by musical director Adam Barker, sessions are dynamic and creative offering musicians a chance to build their confidence and discover the joy of making music together.

West Sussex Youth Orchestra sits at the pinnacle of the progression of string orchestras & wind bands offered by West Sussex Music. Performances include the finals of the Music for Youth National Festival at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, and venues across West Sussex and toured Europe.

Current repertoire includes:

  • Brahms Academic Festival Overture
  • Elgar Pomp and Circumstance
  • Schubert Unfinished Symphony
  • Stravinsky – Firebird
  • Patrick Doyle & John Williams – Harry Potter
  • Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake

Who can join?  Grade 5 and above, by audition
(Please note: Members of WSYO are also expected to be part of our West Sussex Youth String/Wind Orchestras)

When does the orchestra take place? Rehearsals take place on Saturdays during term-time at Horsham Music Centre, c/o Millais School, Depot Road, RH13 5HR

How do I apply to join West Sussex Youth Orchestra? Click the button below to apply, and we will get in touch with you to arrange an audition

apply here

Videos

Adam Barker

Conductor

When Adam went to the Royal College of Music, he discovered another world which needed to be shared, so he soon returned to West Sussex to tell the tale. He learnt lots from a spell as a Professor at Junior Guildhall, and by the good fortune of having made music under the baton of magical people like Menuhin. By removing barriers, Adam helps young musicians to find their superpower, to express their humanity and sometimes their dreams, sharing the transformative power of music. Adam lives between the Downs and the Sea in an old house with four walls and a roof that always needs mending.  He likes to play his violin, dig the garden, swim in the sea, and go for family walks with his whippet Archie

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