SEYSO History
SEYSO was previously known as the Southend Youth Orchestra (SYO) which
was formed in 1968 by Roy Wales. In 1974, Gerald Usher became musical
director. In the latter part of the 1970s, the orchestra was merged with
the Southend Youth Choir. The 1980s saw courses and concerts in the Universities
of York, Lancaster and Exeter and a highly successful series of tours
to Western Europe. In 1991, the group changed its name to "South
Essex Youth Symphony Orchestra" to more accurately reflect the area
from which the players are drawn. In 1994, the orchestra ceased to be
an Essex County Council group and was reconstituted as an independent
body.
You can find some links to ex member's sites here.
Scanned programmes from 1986 to 1989 are here.
Tours
The orchestra has toured many countries. Click for some tour
pictures.
Click here for the SYO Song
by Daryl Barber.
Here are a few links to places :
The Roy Wales Years
Historical note
Formed in June 1968, the orchestra gave its first public concert
in March 1969.
First performance in the Cliffs Pavilion 17th May 1970 – Malcolm
Stewart played the Bruch Concerto.
Tour
May 23rd – 30th 1970: France and Switzerland
Three concerts
Tour
May 29th – June 6th 1971: Channel Islands
Guernsey, Jersey and Sark, being the first symphony orchestra to give
a concert on the Island of Sark.
Tour
1st –8th September 1972:West Berlin.
Concerts on Terrace of Schloss Bellevue,
Bundesallee Concert Hall,
Forecourt of Tiergarten Town Hall
Accommodation in Youth Hostel by Lake Wannsee.
Flight Gatwick - Berlin Tegel
Cost: £30.
Historical note
May 18th 1972 “Music in Southend-on-Sea”. The orchestra took
part in a Southend Extravaganza in the Albert Hall, opening the concert
with the Karelia Overture by Sibelius
Tour
Easter 1973: Salzburg
The Gerald Usher Years
Historical note
1974 Gerald Usher becomes Musical Director
The January Concert in the Cliffs was conducted by Kerry Camden, the
wind coach, who had taken the autumn 73 rehearsals in the absence of Roy
Wales.
Tour
April 20th – 27th 1974: West Country Tour
Concerts in Dartmoor Prison,
Fowey School,
Devonport High School,
Bren Tor – Brass group performance on church tower, and TV appearance
by the orchestra, climbing the hill!
Accommodation in Abbotsfield Hall Youth Hostel, Tavistock
Travel by coach
Cost: £15
Tour
February 15th – 18th 1975: Tour to Wales
Concerts in Dolgellau (Ysgol y Gader),
Barmouth Church,
Theatr Ardudwy – Coleg Harlech
Accommodation first night in hotels and B&B’s in Dolgellau,
then in Glan Llyn, an outdoor pursuits centre on the shores of Bala Lake.
Cost: £10
Tour
April 3rd – 7th 1977 Second Welsh Tour
Concerts in Porthmadog
and Dolgellau.
Accommodation in private homes and B&B’s in Dolgellau.
Small contingent travelled by minibus overnight with Gerald. Rest followed
by coach.
Tour
July 31st – August 7th 1977: Vechta, West Germany
Concerts in Bremen – for pupils in a grammar school,
Lohne and Damme Schools – for pupils,
Public Concert in School Hall (Vechta Grammar School).
Accommodation with families of the Vechta Band
Travel by coach and ferry to Vlissingen.
Tour
July 22nd – 29th 1978: Scotland
Concerts in Stirling
and Usher Hall Edinburgh
Accommodation in halls of residence, Stirling University
Tour
Summer 1979: York
Tour
Summer 1980: Lancaster
Summer School under Arthur Davison
Accommodation in halls of residence, Lancaster University
Tour
Summer 1981: Switzerland
Tour
Summer 1982: Switzerland
Tour
Summer 1983: University of Exeter (Rolle College, Exmouth)
Tour
Summer 1984: Germany
Tour
Summer 1985: Holland and Germany
Tour
Summer 1986: Stirling University
Tour
Summer 1987: Switzerland Germany
Tour
Summer 1988: Switzerland Germany
Click for scanned programmes of concerts around
this time.
Tour
Summer 1989: Switzerland Germany Italy Austria
Tour
Summer 1990: Switzerland Germany
Historical note
Name change to SEYSO - "South Essex Youth Symphony Orchestra".
Tour
Summer 1991: Switzerland Germany
Residential Course
Summer 1992: Residential course at Bryanston School
Tour
Summer 1993: Neerpelt European Music Festival
Tour
Summer 1996: Switzerland Germany Prague
Tour
Summer 1997: Isle of Wight
Tour
Summer 1998: Switzerland Germany Prague
Historical note
December 2003: Gerald's 30th aniversary concert.
Historical note
December 2004: Gerald's final concert as musical director.
The David Stanley Years
Historical note
April 2005: David Stanley's first concert.
Present
SEYSO History - we need your help.
Were you a former member of the Southend Youth Orchestra or South
Essex Youth Symphony Orchestra ?
We are looking for help from old or new members to provide interesting
content about the history of the orchestra.
On the website there is a brief history, list of tour locations,
pictures of previous tours and links to ex member's websites.
If you have any photos, programs, press cuttings, music, videos
etc that we could digitise and put on the website then please let
us know. We would love to hear about any interesting stories you
may have about your time with the orchestra and what you are up
to now.
Please can you email seysowebsite@yahoo.co.uk
with your photos and any stories. (Or if you would like us to assist
in the computer process) |
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