County and Area Academies Structure and Options

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Youth Orchestra – CPYO
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Youth Wind Orchestra – CYWO
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Youth String Orchestra - CYSO

Many parents introduce their children to music lessons because of the pleasure that they themselves experienced as part of an ensemble group - whether it was playing duets with family members or playing in a rock band, when waists were smaller and dreams larger.

Our County music ensembles provide a wonderful opportunity for further advancement for talented and enthusiastic young musicians. Membership allows them to extend their musical skills and repertoire by working with professional conductors and tutors. Each year there are chances to take part in residential courses, festivals, recordings and concert tours.

Cambridgeshire Music county ensembles have received a welcome throughout the UK and Europe on their many previous tours. In 2008, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Youth Wind Orchestra took its members to Italy, where over the period of a week they performed three concerts to very appreciative audiences. They also fitted in a visit to Italy's largest theme park, sightseeing in Verona and some beautiful fishing villages.

Cambridgeshire Music currently runs a County Youth Orchestra (CPYO) and a County Youth Wind Orchestra (CYWO) which perform a minimum of two concerts each year in venues like Peterborough, Ely Cathedral and West Road Concert Hall. This year, we are introducing a County Youth String Orchestra (CYSO). Membership give students the opportunity to play in all ensembles, according to instrument and level of experience.

Applications are warmly invited for our advanced youth ensembles from musicians who have reached Grade 5 and above for CYWO and CYSO and Grade 7 and above for CPYO. An audition will usually be required in order to join the ensembles and may be required annually for all members; most of the time this will be done through participation in a course or playing day.

Members join their ensembles for the whole season (Septembre to August) and pay an annual subscription which can be paid monthly by direct debit over ten months. The annual playing fee for 2010-11 will be £200 (£180 for students having tuition with Cambridgeshire Music). Membership covers all rehearsals and courses, playing days and performances, except for tours and residentials which are separately charged.

Members of county ensembles should be playing and performing regularly in their school, college and music centre ensembles. We also welcome back university students and course and concert dates are organised so that they are able to attend even when studying out of the area. Members are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals and events if joining the ensemble.
county-ensembles-membership-2010.doc (107.5 KB)
county-2010-11-form.doc (132.5 KB)

For more information, please contact us on 01480 373555 or e-mail