ユース オーケストラ
Reading Youth Orchestra
Reading Youth Orchestra is one of the oldest youth orchestras in the country. It was founded before the end of the war, in 1944, and from very small beginnings it soon developed into a group big enough and confident enough to undertake a concert tour to Holland. Indeed, its first visit to Germany, where it performed to an audience of two thousand, was made as early as 1949.
Since those early days
Reading Youth Orchestra is one of the oldest youth orchestras in the country. It was founded before the end of the war, in 1944, and from very small beginnings it soon developed into a group big enough and confident enough to undertake a concert tour to Holland. Indeed, its first visit to Germany, where it performed to an audience of two thousand, was made as early as 1949.
Since those early days the Youth Orchestra, run by the Youth and Community Service, went from strength to strength. Former members are now to be found in many professional orchestras and teaching positions across the country. In the 1990s RYO performed in the Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and in St John’s Smith Square. In the 2000s funding for RYO was withdrawn and it became independent, supported by the Eureka! Foundation and the University of Reading to keep running.
The Orchestra now exists today run completely independently by its own committee, having registered as a charity in 2023. It still has a proud emphasis on its youth and community roots – giving members responsibility and opportunities to develop musically and socially.