Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra

Peter Gardner, director

In Australia, China, France, Britain, Spain, Venezuela, the USA and in almost every country around the world, hundreds of thousands of young people all over the world meet each week to play in orchestras. They play in youth orchestras - special groups where young musicians get together to play the sort of music that the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra plays. Youth orchestras play an important part in the musical life of a country. Most countries in the world have a network of youth orchestras. There are more than 50 community youth orchestras across Canada in addition to the many schools which have youth orchestras as part of their educational programme. Community youth orchestras are generally made up of young instrumental players who already have some playing skills, are often taking lessons on their chosen instrument, and have an interest in meeting on a regular basis to learn, play, perform and travel together.

The Newfoundland Symphony Youth Orchestra (NSYO) has been around since 1981. Since that time more than 500 young musicians have played with the group. Players are needed for all sections of the orchestra – woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings. Every September new candidates are auditioned for entry into the NSYO. A three-hour rehearsals is held each Sunday afternoon from September to May. Each year the NSYO performs a number of concerts in St. John’s and during the past 26 years has undertaken more than 20 tours. The NSYO has traveled to many parts of Canada, England, Ireland, Wales and Japan as well as many parts of Newfoundland and Labrador.

For more information on the NSYO call Peter Gardner, the NSYO's director, at 709-895-7899.