The WYAO is the CWYM’s newest venture. Nothing quite beats the thrill of playing in a full sized orchestra and for several years now, the Wessex Youth Orchestra has welcomed the Wessex Middle Strings and the Wessex Youth Fanfare players to join them on stage during the WYO’s summer Lighthouse concert for a joint performance of one of the orchestra’s pieces. However, as the WYO & CWYM has grown, it has become increasingly difficult to fit everyone on the stage at the same time. This called for a new plan and thanks to the success of the WYO Mentor Scheme (a project designed to improve inter-ensemble relations, allow our younger CWYM members to meet and learn from the more advanced players of the WYO, and also give the WYO players the chance to learn how to guide and coach their younger friends), it made it possible to build a new ensemble in the form of an intermediate training orchestra. Working throughout the term effectively in “sectionals”, the WMS and WYF prepare their parts in their own rehearsals (sometimes with members of the WYO popping in to help out during their own rehearsal breaks) and the two ensembles plus Mentors meet nearer the end of term in an afternoon rehearsal for a grand “putting together” of the orchestra and performance. This does mean that the musicians do a longer day than usual, but with fish & chip deliveries at lunch time and the “buzz” of playing in a huge sound with instruments they don’t normally have the chance to work with, the CWYM musicians’ enthusiasm for this new ensemble is clear. WYAO Performances
July 2014 – Saint-Saens Bachanale from Samson and Delilah