History

The Gateshead Youth Orchestra was founded  in 1953, as a  small wind ensemble.  Over time the Orchestra has grown and now embraces all standard orchestral instruments and tackles a very wide repertoire.

Aims

The aim is to give young musicians the opportunity to perform a wide range of music from a variety of periods and styles.

Concerts and Events

Each year the orchestra gives a range of performances in the north of England: there have been performances in Gateshead Civic Centre, and the Council Chamber itself; that was the first live music ever to be performed in this venue. 
There have also been performances in Newcastle Civic Centre and at the opening of the newly built Newcastle upon Tyne City Library.  Other venues have included the Northumbria Police Headquarters annual Christmas Concert (and yes – the conductor was allowed to return to work after questioning!)  

Possibly the most prestigious concerts took place at the Royal Society of Arts in February 2003.  On this occasion Gateshead Schools’ Music Service was awarded the Major Award of the National Music Council of Great Britain by Dame Cleo Lane.  Members of the orchestra were very taken by Dame Cleo, who found time to chat to them. 

More recently the orchestra has performed in the annual Music Service Showcase Concert in Hall 1 of The Sage Gateshead.  The largest of these was the 2008 concert, when a massed choir from 39 Gateshead primary schools, joined the Gateshead Youth Orchestra, Senior Wind Band, Paraffernalia, Whickham Strings, and Strings Attached; over 1000 musicians participated.  The 2009 Showcase saw the orchestra provide the accompaniment to a new choral cantata for massed choir and narrator ‘The Laidley Worm of Spindlestone’ written by the orchestra’s director and conductor John Treherne.

Membership

The members are usually secondary school age, and are normally at least ABRSM grade 6 standard; who either attend school in Gateshead, or have a strong connection to the town.