Although the Repertoire Report project started in 2007 with conductors, we’ve gradually broadened to include soloists and professional orchestras. Now, we are happy to present our first youth orchestra Repertoire Report. Taken from their 3 concerts this year, it is a marvelous range of great repertoire- some icons of the literature, and some nearly unknown gems.

CBSO Youth Orchestra

incorporating the Midland Youth Orchestra

Symphony Hall Feb 2006; Sakari Oramo conducting

2004 saw the launch of a new youth orchestra for the Midlands.

Founded in 1956 by CBSO General Manager Blyth Major, the Midland Youth Orchestra was for nearly half a century one of the UK’s leading independent youth orchestras. Now it’s joined with one of the world’s great professional orchestras to become the CBSO Youth Orchestra, giving young musicians from across the Midlands the chance to experience professionally-supported orchestral playing at the highest level.

CBSO Youth Orchestra in rehearsal with Andris Nelsons, Feb 2009 Open to all Midlands young musicians, aged 14-21, of the necessary standard, the CBSO Youth Orchestra gives its members an unmatched opportunity to be part of an internationally famous orchestral organisation, playing challenging music in prestigious venues with top professional conductors. Intended to complement the region’s existing Youth and Schools orchestras, the CBSO aims to have a youth orchestra like no other – dynamic, challenging, and filled with young players who share the CBSO’s own passion for music.

CBSO Ignite, our programme for engaging audiences and the community: the CBSO Youth Orchestra is part of the wider CBSO family of ensembles drawing their members from across the region – including an adult chorus and four youth choruses.

Visit the CBSO website.

Their manager, Richard Bratby, writes about their Repertoire Report:

Dear Ken,

Here’s what the CBSO Youth Orchestra played in 2010 – just three concerts, but considering that this is an amater orchestra drawn from young people of all social and educational backgrounds aged 14-21 in the Midlands (playing all these pieces for the first time), I think it’s not a bad haul, and certainly grounds for optimism for the future of our art form! Full details of conductors and soloists are on the orchestra website, www.cbsoyouthorchestra.com.

Richard Bratby, CBSO Youth Orchestra Manager

Beethoven: Symphony No.8

Berio: Folk Songs

Elgar: Cello Concerto

Foulds:  April-England

Mahler: Ruckert Lieder

Milhaud: La Creation du Monde

Shostakovich: Symphony No.11

Wagner: Tannhauser Overture

Walton: Symphony No.1

Jorg Widmann: Con brio