West of England Youth Orchestra
Next Course Dates
Winter Course: Tuesday 29th December 2026 - Sunday 3rd January 2027
Programme details
3 courses per academic year – during the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays
Musicians aged 12-21, Grade 6/7+ (or equivalent)
£150 per course (financial support is available)
Wiltshire Music Centre
Wiltshire Music Centre Ashley Road Bradford-on-Avon UK
01225 860 100
Find Out MoreOngoing
Make new friends, pursue your creative potential and explore exciting music!
The West of England Youth Orchestra (WEYO) is a symphony orchestra that provides young musicians aged 12-21 from Wiltshire and the surrounding area with opportunities to perform with other instrumentalists and learn from leading professionals.
Principally conducted by Tim Redmond (professor of conducting at Guildhall School, London), WEYO meets at WMC three times per year during school holidays for non-residential courses lasting between 4 and 7 days, culminating in concerts in our world-class auditorium. Working with your conductor, a team of exceptional instrumental tutors and totally inspiring guest artists, you will explore new repertoire and push your musical development to new heights!
For each course, WEYO is joined by an inspirational professional soloist – recent guests have included Charlotte Saluste-Bridoux (violin), Ariel Lanyi (piano), Alice Neary (cello), Ben Goldscheider (French horn), Alexandra Dariescu (piano) and Emily Apps (voice).
Next course: Tuesday 29th December 2026 – Sunday 3rd January 2027
Take part in an exciting week of music making, including some much-loved classical gems!
A programme or orchestral and operatic favourites including:
PUCCINI Quando m’en vo from La Bohème
GOUNAUD Je veux vivre from Romèo and Juliette
GILBERT & SULLIVAN The Sun whose rays from The Mikado
and
RAVEL Bolero
HOLST Jupiter from The Planets
STRAUSS Thunder and Lightning
TCHAIKOVSKY a selection from The Nutcracker
CONDUCTOR – Tim Redmond
SOPRANO – Hannah Andrusier
Read on below to find out how to take part.
Returning members - sign up for the WEYO Winter Course now!
If you've attended a WEYO course before, you can sign up for the Winter Course by clicking the link below!
Returning members sign up here
Interested in joining WEYO?
We want WEYO to be as accessible as possible so we are currently inviting interested players to attend a course for free as a trial, instead of a formal audition process. Register your interest below and we'll be in touch to let you know if we have spaces for your instrument!
Register interest
See WEYO in action!
Tickets for WEYO's next performances on Friday 2 and Saturday 3 January 2027 are on sale now! Join us for a glittering showcase to welcome in the New Year.
Buy ticketsWho can join WEYO?
We’re looking for young musicians aged 12-21 interested in finding their next musical adventure! Experience in performing in symphony orchestras or other large ensembles is useful but not essential.
Please see criteria below.
Grade 6 or equivalent and above
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Harp
Grade 7 or equivalent and above
Oboe
Flute
Clarinet
Bassoon/Contrabassoon
Grade 7 or equivalent and above
Trumpet
Trombone (Tenor/Bass)
Tuba
Grade 6 or equivalent and above
Timpani
Orchestral Percussion
Fees
Fully refundable if WMC cancels any activity in advance
Yes – we want to make sure finances are never a barrier to anyone wanting to get involved. We have a small fund that can offer financial assistance with course fees for those needing support. Please email creativelearning@wiltshiremusic.org.uk or call 01225 860100 for more information.
Sibling WEYO Members are eligible for a 5% reduction on all fees.
Related events
WEYO NEW YEAR CONCERT
Membership
Join as a Friend and help us continue bringing world-class music to the Centre, while enjoying special events and access to artists. It's a great way to get closer to the music and meet new friends, while providing vital support for our concerts and educational projects.
Join now