Saturday 27th April 2024 saw RYO and Reading Symphony Orchestra (RSO) collaborate for a joint 80th Anniversary concert with some uplifting and emotional music. The first half consisted of RSO playing Chabrier’s España, Ravel’s Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte, and Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, followed by RYO playing a Howard Shore Symphonic Lord Of The Rings Suite. The two orchestras then came together in the second half of the concert to play Elgar’s Enigma Variations, conducted by Cathal Garvey. In order to play this, RYO and RSO had many joint rehearsals, with some dedicated members attending up to three rehearsals in a week!
One Friday evening, following a particularly densely packed week of rehearsals, RYO members were asked for some feedback. This is just a small snippet of some of the overwhelmingly positive feedback received:
“I found working with RSO very fun as all of the adults are very fun and wise.”
“Playing with RSO was great fun! Sounds so much better [and I] feel supported. It was nice to try playing with different conductor. Cathal was really good at explaining what he wants and that made music so much better. Lots of playing was also fun. Elgar is a nice music choice.”
“It was such an enjoyable rehearsal yesterday night with RSO =)”
“I enjoyed Thursday’s rehearsal. Found it fun to play with RSO members. Sounded more full with a bigger orchestra.”
“I think the pieces we have picked are good and overall make a really good sound. I have enjoyed playing [with] RSO and hope it is an orchestra I join one day. My other desk partner in RSO was very friendly and made it an enjoyable time. Hope to do another concert like this soon.”
RYO is one of the oldest youth orchestras in the country, and was founded in 1944 with conductor Humphrey Hare leading the then only 11 musicians. The orchestra quickly grew and was able to go on tour to Holland in 1947, and then to Germany in 1949 with a now sixty strong orchestra. Over the years, with support from the Eureka! Foundation and Reading University, RYO has gone from strength to strength and many former members can now be found in various professional orchestras across the country. In 2023, RYO gained charity status and is now run independently with its own committee, proudly giving the youth of Reading many social and musical opportunities.
– by Pippa Moore
