Auditions for 2021/2022: We welcome any prospective player
Please click this link to contact our Admissions Secretary
Please click this link to contact our Admissions Secretary
CORONAVIRUS (COVID19) - A message from the Chairman
To all players, tutors and staff:
If you are feeling unwell, please do not come to the weekly rehearsals.
Hand sanitisers are readily available at Larkmead School, the rehearsal venue.
Please keep washing your hands and observing good hygiene.
Follow all official Public Health information and advice.
Thank you.
To all players, tutors and staff:
If you are feeling unwell, please do not come to the weekly rehearsals.
Hand sanitisers are readily available at Larkmead School, the rehearsal venue.
Please keep washing your hands and observing good hygiene.
Follow all official Public Health information and advice.
Thank you.
In Memoriam: Paul Davies and John King
The orchestra wishes to pay tribute to two coaches, who were gentle giants of TVYO and who both sadly passed away this year. Between them they served TVYO for some 80 years:
Paul Davies served TVYO for some forty years as violin coach from the orchestra's very earliest days in 1969, over half a century ago. Our current violin coach, Philip Augar (PJ) was a young TVYO player in the 1970s and remembers Paul with enormous affection and gratitude as someone who expected high standards of concentration and discipline - but with a kind, gentle manner - and gained fantastic results in a wide range of repertoire from Elgar to Vaughan Williams and Tchaikovsky to Shostakovich.. So often audiences commented on the outstanding string sound in concerts.
John King loved TVYO and guided and enthused his brass players over four decades, navigating them through much of the orchestral repertoire. His manner was always gentle, thoughtful and respectful - and the results were always outstanding. John often said how TVYO was such an important part of his life - as he was part of ours.
We send our condolences to their families and closest friends, thinking particularly of Jill and Carolyn.
Michael A Stinton
Paul Davies served TVYO for some forty years as violin coach from the orchestra's very earliest days in 1969, over half a century ago. Our current violin coach, Philip Augar (PJ) was a young TVYO player in the 1970s and remembers Paul with enormous affection and gratitude as someone who expected high standards of concentration and discipline - but with a kind, gentle manner - and gained fantastic results in a wide range of repertoire from Elgar to Vaughan Williams and Tchaikovsky to Shostakovich.. So often audiences commented on the outstanding string sound in concerts.
John King loved TVYO and guided and enthused his brass players over four decades, navigating them through much of the orchestral repertoire. His manner was always gentle, thoughtful and respectful - and the results were always outstanding. John often said how TVYO was such an important part of his life - as he was part of ours.
We send our condolences to their families and closest friends, thinking particularly of Jill and Carolyn.
Michael A Stinton
Valete: Anna Evans
We must also pay tribute and say farewell to our wonderful woodwind coach Anna Evans, who has decided the time has now come to step down from her role. A distinguished and highly experienced oboist, Anna has served the orchestra for more than 25 years - and, again, produced magnificent results. Thank you, Anna - and we look forward to seeing you at future concerts!
Michael A Stinton
Michael A Stinton
About us...
Thames Vale Youth Orchestra is a well established, self-financing orchestra for talented and committed young musicians from 12-18 years old, who are of approximately Grade 6 standard and above. It is based in Abingdon and integrates pupils from many local schools and those who are home schooled. Currently we have over 40 members (here is our list of current players). Recent members have played in the National Children's Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra, and also in the Junior Orchestras of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. We are always delighted to welcome new members from any school in the local area, or indeed to welcome those who are home educated - joining an orchestra like TVYO is a great way to make new friends.
We are privileged to have Michael Stinton as our conductor and Musical Director.
We are privileged to have Michael Stinton as our conductor and Musical Director.
What do we play?
The orchestra offers opportunities for players to work together in an enjoyable atmosphere, studying and performing challenging and exciting orchestral repertoire at the highest possible standard. The orchestra performs two concerts a year (December and April/May), playing a wide repertoire, including concertos and symphonies.
Want to join?
We are always on the lookout for talented new players, and you'll find us very friendly and welcoming! You can find out how to audition here. If you're not sure, why not come along to one of our concerts, or come along to one of our weekly rehearsals to find out whether it's for you – just ask our Auditions Secretary for more information.
The end of season concert for 2019 was on Wednesday 1 May, in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, with a programme of Arnold's Peterloo overture and Cornish Dances, Smetana's Vltava and Borodin's Symphony No.2.
The end of season concert for 2019 was on Wednesday 1 May, in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, with a programme of Arnold's Peterloo overture and Cornish Dances, Smetana's Vltava and Borodin's Symphony No.2.
A past TVYO member emailed us to say this:
'I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful experience I had at TVYO - it was a huge inspiration for me to pursue a career in music. Although I was only there for two years, I had a tremendous amount of support and guidance from you and fellow members in both performance and academia. The repertoire was exciting and, during my time at Headington, Monday evenings were always the two hours we most looked forward to in the week. Ultimately, I chose to take a music degree over a law degree as music was what I truly enjoyed, and it was the best decision I have ever made. I hope TVYO continues to inspire more young people to enjoy music and I hope to see you again soon.'
