The most successful route to learning, and learning well - is through fun. Orchestral membership and music-making is a sociable activity - based on the ultimate levels of concentration, effort, teamwork and camaraderie. Music making (particularly as part of a large ensemble such as the WYO) teaches young people skills that they will use throughout their lives, not just in music but in all professions. Whether it be:
learning to prepare for a deadline and deliver the goods when required
handle performance pressure
perfect stage presence
deal with competition
learning to work together as a team
all these skills are eminently transferable, and will be used time and time again as our young musicians step out into the big wide world and their chosen careers. They also take with them a strong work ethic and a sense of achievement – proof of the results that hard work can bring. The WYO teaches these young people not only how to use their musical talents, but mainly how to become exceptional professionals of the future.
Whilst the College provides the orchestra with a rehearsal room and conductor, all running costs for such a busy orchestra fall to the WYO itself. The continuation of the orchestra’s full diary of rehearsals, concerts and musical activities, depends entirely on repeated box office success, regular fundraising and private and corporate sponsorship, and as a result over the years the orchestra has enjoyed long friendships with local companies and businesses wishing to support the training of these talented and hard-working young people.
The WYO enjoys a high profile in both the local area and beyond, reaching music lovers of all backgrounds and professions. The orchestra is currently searching for new corporate sponsor support in the form of both concert sponsorship and more general sponsorship. If the possibility of playing your part in supporting the training and shaping of these "Wessex" youngsters and being associated with one of the most exciting youth educational organisations of today - appeals to your business, and you would like to add your company name to the WYO’s website and concert publicity or to have your company logo travel with the WYO as it tours the UK and parts of Europe, be able to invite your friends, colleagues and customers to dazzling evenings of musical entertainment, perhaps host your own concert-interval receptions, or just enjoy a simple “meet and greet” in the Lighthouse bar, then WYO Sponsorship could well be for you!