WYO Concert Tours
Since the WYO musicians come from all over the Dorset and Hampshire areas, as many as 25 different schools can be represented in any one WYO season and many of the players see each other only once each week during WYO rehearsals and events. And yet, for a youth orchestra to really sparkle, it requires time to build strong friendships, teamwork, intensive music making and some wonderful shared adventures along the way – and this is where touring proves to be a vital part of youth orchestral life.
For many of our young musicians, WYO tours have been their first trip away without their family and it is often commented on by parents after a tour, how much their son or daughter has grown in confidence or made so many new friends. Of course music making is the prime objective and the opportunity to rehearse and give several concerts in just a few days allows the WYO’s performance to evolve into something quite special – it’s a little like wearing in a new pair of shoes; the more you wear them, the better they fit... and if you can tie in some sight-seeing with visits to famous composers’ houses, castles and palaces, beautiful scenery, fabulous weather and some stunning concert settings, local cuisine and one or two theme parks thrown in along the way, you have the makings for some wonderful memories that stay with our musicians for the rest of their lives.
One WYO touring tradition that has continued throughout the WYO’s 41 years of travel is the end-of-tour cabaret. These cabaret performances have revealed an array of hidden talents and no end of mischief. Whether it be a woodwind section bottle blowing performance, a brass section version of the Dance of the Little Swans, Achmed the camel (alias two jokers from the orchestra under a blanket, pantomime horse fashion), a recorder played backwards and with the nose whilst dancing a jig, staff pantomimes such as “Orchestrella”, or “The WYO Paper Plate Awards” (acknowledging the most notable achievements during the trip such as tidiest room, loudest snorer or funniest moment), the cabaret has been responsible for many a recounted story!
We feel certain that the spirit of today’s WYO owes a lot to these touring experiences and wherever the orchestra has travelled, it has been a good ambassador for Britain – long may it continue.
WYO Tour Destinations:
And have we picked up any tips during our travels? Yes! Always place the conga drums at the back of the instrument lorry - when customs officials get on the truck to inspect the cargo – they like to have a play!
For many of our young musicians, WYO tours have been their first trip away without their family and it is often commented on by parents after a tour, how much their son or daughter has grown in confidence or made so many new friends. Of course music making is the prime objective and the opportunity to rehearse and give several concerts in just a few days allows the WYO’s performance to evolve into something quite special – it’s a little like wearing in a new pair of shoes; the more you wear them, the better they fit... and if you can tie in some sight-seeing with visits to famous composers’ houses, castles and palaces, beautiful scenery, fabulous weather and some stunning concert settings, local cuisine and one or two theme parks thrown in along the way, you have the makings for some wonderful memories that stay with our musicians for the rest of their lives.
One WYO touring tradition that has continued throughout the WYO’s 41 years of travel is the end-of-tour cabaret. These cabaret performances have revealed an array of hidden talents and no end of mischief. Whether it be a woodwind section bottle blowing performance, a brass section version of the Dance of the Little Swans, Achmed the camel (alias two jokers from the orchestra under a blanket, pantomime horse fashion), a recorder played backwards and with the nose whilst dancing a jig, staff pantomimes such as “Orchestrella”, or “The WYO Paper Plate Awards” (acknowledging the most notable achievements during the trip such as tidiest room, loudest snorer or funniest moment), the cabaret has been responsible for many a recounted story!
We feel certain that the spirit of today’s WYO owes a lot to these touring experiences and wherever the orchestra has travelled, it has been a good ambassador for Britain – long may it continue.
WYO Tour Destinations:
- 2019 - Venice and Northern Italy - now in the planning
- 2017 – Lake Geneva, Switzerland/France
- 2015 - Black Forest, Germany
- 2012 – Salzburg, Austria
- 2010 – Cologne, Germany
- 2009 – Black Forest, Germany - including a performance in Baden Baden’s Trinkhalle – the first in 100 years.
- 2000 – Segre, France
- 1996 – Koblenz, Germany
- 1989 – Koblenz, Germany
- 1985 – Vienna, Austria -including a performance on Haydn’s concert stage at Esterharzy Palace
- 1983 – Walsrode, Germany
- 1981 – Walsrode, Germany
- 1979 – Loire Valley, France
- 1978 – Loire Valley, France
- 1977 – Cologne, Germany
- 1976 – Cologne, Germany
And have we picked up any tips during our travels? Yes! Always place the conga drums at the back of the instrument lorry - when customs officials get on the truck to inspect the cargo – they like to have a play!
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