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Bristol Youth Orchestra and Bristol Youth Choir return from Germany!

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Thursday 8 Aug 2024

This summer, Bristol Beacon’s flagship youth ensembles, Bristol Youth Orchestra and Bristol Youth Choir joined forces and embarked on an exciting musical tour of Germany.

Performing in beautiful church venues across Wiesbaden, Vettelschoss and Boppard, our talented young musicians aged 12-18 showcased a varied programme of music. In their three packed-out concerts, they mastered the rousing melodies of Mozart, Beethoven and Vaughan Williams, alongside the classics of Gershwin and Simon and Garfunkel!

A group of girls stand together singing holding black music folders

[My child] has had the most amazing time. They have had an incredible musical experience, and being able to share it with a fantastic group of staff and students, many of whom have played music together for years, made it even more special. They thoroughly enjoyed the trip and hasn’t stopped talking about it since they came home!’’

Parent of Bristol Youth Choir member

This Summer’s Tour to the Rhineland was absolutely phenomenal! All 77 young people from Bristol Youth Orchestra and Bristol Youth Choir were the perfect ambassadors for Bristol Beacon while we were in Germany, and it was clear from the standing ovations each night(!) that their hard work definitely paid off. I’m incredibly proud of all these musicians for their dedication to their ensembles over this reopening season, and I couldn’t think of a better way for this to culminate!”

Rhian Cocker, Senior Ensembles & Choirs Coordinator

A shot that shows a full choir of young people, performing to an audience in a church mid song. There are cellists in the orchestra infront of the choir

With over 75 young performers from the Bristol area sharing their love of music together, there was a wonderful sense of pride, community and friendship.

A large group of young people sit together on the steps posing for a photo outside a castle on a sunny day

In between the jam-packed concerts, there was even time to squeeze in some cultural outings, which included a Rhine River cruise, a tour of Ehrenburg castle, and cable car ride in Koblenz!

And they couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a full group snap outside the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz!

I wanted to write to say thank you for all your hard work and amazing organisation of the trip! I know [my child] has hugely enjoyed their year with BYO, and had a great time in Germany.”

Parent of Bristol Youth Orchestra member

Thank you to all of our staff team for their hard work and dedication to the tour, including:

Tim Harrison BYO Conductor

David Ogden BYC Conductor

Sandie Middleton Assistant BYC Conductor & Accompanist

Lu Bristow, Harry Creffield, Rhiannon Bedford & Katie Wilks Tour Support Team

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Thank you also to our ensemble supporters, including Paragon Music Trust, John Bretten Grassroots Memorial Fund administered through Quartet Community Foundation, Sheila Pollard Grassroots Fund and individual sponsors, as part of our Young Companies in Residence programme.

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