City & County Youth Orchestra (CCYO)

The orchestra meets in February and July for residential courses to prepare symphonic repertoire with professional conductors and tutors that challenges each player.

Each course culminates in a high-profile performance in Derby or Buxton where friends and family are invited to watch and celebrate in the achievements of the young musicians. There is also time for recreation and socialising with like-minded musicians from across the city and county.

Many the players in CCYO go onto studying Music at Conservatoire or University, or continue to play music at a high-standard after leaving school.

The orchestra has been recently conducted by Peter Stark and Maria Camilla Barbosa Aristizabal with recent performances including Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin), Danzon no.2 (Marquez) and Festive Overture (Shostakovich).

Join the City & County Youth Orchestra

We accept applications all year round from new players wanting to join the orchestra. These are reviewed and if accepted, an invitation to audition for a place in the orchestra is extended. Successful players are then able to start at the next course or event.

• Ability − Applicants are expected to be of at least grade 6 standard. Where there is higher competition for places, an ability of up to grade 8 may be needed.
• Availability − Applicants are expected to have good availability for the commitments of CCYO.These are listed above.
• Other ensembles − Woodwind, brass and percussion players will be asked in the application if you will be asked if you want to also be considered for the City & County Youth Wind Band (CCYWB). This is not obligatory.
• Reference − We need you to provide us with the contact details of your instrumental teacher so if necessary we may seek confirmation of your readiness to audition.
• Confirmation − If you are under 18, you will need a parent/guardian to confirm your application before it can be submitted.
• Audition – An audition will include a short performance of one piece/study, a selection of scales and arpeggios, and the sight-reading of an extract of music. See the full requirements.

Apply for an audition now!

We accept applications from String players to join the orchestra all year round. Applicants will be invited to attend our next audition evening on Thursday 8 May at County Hall in Matlock.

Successful auditionees will be invited to start with the orchestra at the February residental course.

We accept applications from Wind, Brass and Percussion players to join the orchestra all year round. Applicants will be invited to attend our next auditions on Sunday 26 January 2025 at County Hall in Matlock.

Depending on our need for instruments, successful auditionees will be invited to start with the orchestra at either the February or July residental courses.

Those also wishing to join the City & County Youth Wind Band only need to make one application, and will be invited to the band's rehearsal happening in the same morning.