Dulwich Youth Orchestra meets each school holiday for a course of five mornings (9.20 – 1.00), culminating in an afternoon or evening concert. DYO attracts children from about 40 different schools in South London and beyond and caters for a wide range of ability; from players who have little or no experience of playing in ensembles to those who are technically and musically more able, who aspire to a more demanding repertoire at a higher level. The courses are short but intensive and aim to realise the full potential of the performers by producing high standards of music-making in a happy and informal atmosphere.

The orchestra divides into

• String Ensemble for string players of approximately grade 2 -5 standard
• Symphonic Wind Band for wind, brass and percussion players of about grade 2 – 8
• Senior Orchestra for string, wind, brass and percussion players of grade 6 and above. Places in this orchestra are highly sought after and the standard, experience and sight-reading ability of each child is considered to gain a place. Final decisions are ultimately the responsibility of the musical director.
• All the players are brought together to form the Great Orchestra where the experience of older members is shared with the younger and where there is the opportunity to play on a second instrument.

For older and more advanced players who have been regular attendees of DYO, there is the possibility of performing a concerto with the orchestra. Please contact Alpha Hopkins on alphahopkins@mac.com

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