Wessex Youth Orchestra
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The Wessex Youth Orchestra has been performing since 1971, and has performed three concerts per year in that time, mostly in the Wessex Hall at Poole's LightHouse Centre for the Arts. The orchestra has also performed nationally and internationally in festivals, tours and exchanges, and has been broadcast by the [BBC].
The WYO gives 3 main concerts a year - a Christmas show, a summer charity “Prom” (which has raised more than £35,000 for charities) and its main showcase performance – the Gala Concert, which is normally in March.
The orchestra started out life as the Poole College Orchestra, but the WYO now draws 60-70 young musicians from a wide range schools and colleges in the area. Its rehearsals continue to be held in Jellicoe Hall, on the Constitution Hill site of the Bournemouth and Poole College of Further Education.
The Orchestra has seen thousands of young musicians from across the south go through its ranks and hundreds have graduated to join the ranks of professional musicians. Previous members are present in almost every major orchestra and Music Colleges across the United Kingdom and much of Europe. Former members include pianist Alison Farr, violinist Duncan Riddell, members of the Amici string quartet and BBC Young Musician winners, as well as amazing musicians such as Chris Gray, Toby Nelms, Mary Backholer, Sophia Card and Richard Tite.
The orchestra has three main "feeder groups" the Starter Strings, Middle strings and Youth Fanfare.
The Orchestra was conducted from its foundation until 2007 by Don Riddell MBE, BA, BMus, LRAM, LTCL who was awarded the MBE for services to the Wessex Youth Orchestra in the Christmas honours list 1999.[1]. Sadly, Don passed away in 2007, but the orchestra continues to be led by his daughter, Susanna Riddell.
