EU-supported young British musicians perform in London

Image from YMSO's March 2022 concert

2022 is the European Year of Youth, and an opportunity for the EU to enhance opportunities for young people, to support their personal, social and professional development, and to connect them across the continent.

As part of two mentorship programmes for young musicians performing at the YMSO June and October concerts, tutors will provide coaching and specialist advice to each section of the Orchestra during the rehearsal process.

The YMSO is the only full-size symphony orchestra based in London which provides orchestral training in the major classical repertoire for musicians between 18 and 25 years, including in works which don’t often get into the spotlight these days. For example, in their previous concert in March they performed the Overture to Taras Bulba by the acclaimed Ukrainian composer Mykola Lysenko.

Martin Gibson, the former timpanist, noted: “my time and experience with YMSO were invaluable to me in helping to shape my career. The opportunity to play a variety of repertoire, including large scale works, in different venues with students from all of the music conservatories in London gave a good insight to the profession.”

Lord Menuhin, late president of the YMSO said: “I am happy that this more than national orchestra is now in existence and will continue, I pray, for years to come, to bring to our audiences the most wonderful music played in a most wonderful way by our young people”.