Colne Valley Youth Orchestra

The Colne Valley Youth Orchestra was founded in 1980, and has been playing and performing in North Essex since that date, soon to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Along with its younger sister orchestra, the Colne Valley Training Orchestra, it provides a non-auditioning classical music provider for young people aged 8 - 13 (CVTO) and 10 - 19 (CVYO). Established by Nigel Hildreth, who continues to both conduct and run the administrative side of the orchestra, its patron is Sir Malcolm Arnold.

Concerts

The orchestra plays in several concerts throughout the academic year, culminating in a Gala Concert when the entire orchestra performs the whole of its repertoire as a formal evening, which is the older members' last event. Other staple concerts include the Teddy Bears' Picnic in late January/early February, held in Colchester's Moot Hall and geared towards younger children; a Strawberry Tea concert in late June in which the CVYO and the CVTO play together; the Music in Miniature concert in which a number of chamber items are often performed; and in recent years the orchestra has been asked to provide entertainment for Colchester's Oyster Feast, again in the Moot Hall.

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