Sound check at the MFY Proms, Royal Albert Hall, November 2018
Over the last 12 years, Penzance Youth String Orchestra have become nationally recognised ambassadors for the best of music making in Cornwall, with the players making an outstanding reputation through many popular concerts across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and regular appearances in London and Birmingham. The orchestra have performed at the MFY National Festival of Music for Youth almost every year for 9 years and PYSO have been invited to perform at the Schools Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on 4 occasions.
PYSO has a wide repertoire covering more than 3 centuries and has attracted a reputation for expanding the boundaries of music for strings. PYSO frequently partner with a wide range of musicians including string quartets and classical soloists, rock musicians, rap groups and a bluegrass band. They have worked with members of the BBC Concert Orchestra and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. PYSO have enjoyed working closely with composers Andrew Wilson, Stephen Montague, Graham Lynch and Graham Fitkin. Truronian composer Ben Comeau has written many new works for PYSO, including original compositions and fresh and unusual remixes of familiar works including Bartok's 'Romanian Dances' and Monti's 'Czardas'.
PYSO perform an average of around 15 concerts every year, building up a wealth of performance experience. Members also enjoy regular visits to the International Musicians' Seminars at Prussia Cove to hear masterclasses and experience chamber music rehearsals in action.
Name of Ensemble |
Penzance Youth String Orchestra |
Director/ Leader |
Tim Boulton |
Administrator |
MusicAbility CIC - www.musicabilitycic.uk |
Rehearsal Venue |
Humphry Davy School, Penzance |
Rehearsal Day and Time |
Thursday 5.50 to 7.50 pm |
Current Number of Members |
12 |
Current Age Range of Members |
13 - 18 |
Requirements (In terms of ability) |
Grade 4 + |
Recent Performances |
8th March 2019 - Music For Youth Regional Festival 22nd March 2019 - Cornwall Music Festival, Truro Methodist Church 28th June 2019 - PYSO & TYSO Concerto Fest! 11th July 2019 - Concert at Porthlevan 15th July 2019 - Lafrowda Festival, St Just 7th September 2019 - Cornish Gorsedh, St Just 16th December 2019 - St Buryan Churc 22nd December 2019 - St Mary's Church, Penzance |
Forthcoming Performances |
6th March 2020 - Performance for Music For Youth Regional Festival, Truro Methodist Church - 5pm 20th March 2020 - Performance for Cornwall Music Festival, Truro Methodist Church - 9:30am 23rd March 2020 - London Barbican Centre Music For Youth 'The Future is Now' with members for TYSO and ECYSO - 7pm 26th June 2020 - Summer concert at Golowan Festival and other concerts TBC 17th October 2020 - Performance as guests of Confederation of Cornish Male Voice Choirs, Birmingham Symphony Hall |