After an enforced gap of 18 months (during which we did the best we could online) DGYO got back together on 21 August 2021 in the assembly hall of St Joseph's College, Dumfries.  Thanks to Dumfries and Galloway Council, the school, and Graham the janitor for helping us to get going once more.

We had lost some original players who had gone to university or left the area.  But we have also gained some new players.  Welcome to all! 

And talking of new players please spread the word that DGYO welcomes all young players of orchestral instruments who live, work or study in Dumfries and Galloway and we offer opportunities for all levels of experience.  The orchestra is free to join and travelling expenses are available.

We're very pleased to report that we've been fortunate to recruit another trustee Joshua Ellicott.

Josh is a professional musician, performing worldwide as a tenor soloist in opera, concert and as a recitalist. He sings in some of the world’s greatest venues with the finest conductors and orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the Lincoln Centre New York, The Hallé Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall, Freiburg Baroque Orchestra at the Berlin Philharmonie and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. He has made his home, along with his family, in Dumfries and Galloway and is delighted to be a trustee of the Dumfries and Galloway Youth Orchestra.

Josh's own musicianship has its roots in his native Lancashire where he sang and played a number of instruments in church, school and in the home and he delights to see young people sharing in the opportunities that he had. He benefitted greatly from the Council-funded peripatetic instrumental tuition that he received. He wishes to be an advocate for bringing high quality classical music to today’s young people, to help to combat the sad decline of music education, and to promote understanding of the advantages of making music within our schools and in our culture.

Josh is keen to see the young people of the DGYO experience the joy of fun and friendship as they pursue musical excellence and the satisfaction of seeing the beauty that they create touch the lives of audience members and players alike.

We're very happy to welcome Rebecca Carson as our new woodwind coach. Rebecca has recently returned to her roots in Dumfries and Galloway where she was born and bred.

As a young musician Rebecca was a member of the National Children’s Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, where she sat as both principal flute and second flute.

We're delighted to welcome local girl Joanne Bertram as cello coach for the orchestra.

Joanne began her musical journey at the age of 8 years old and attended MusicWorks run by the RSAMD (RCS). She then auditioned for the Junior Conservatoire of Scotland. Joanne attended ‘Juniors’ for three years during which she had the opportunity to perform with a number of professional musicians including Nicola Benedetti. Joanne was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the National Youth Choir of Scotland. Locally Joanne was also a member of the Solway Sinfonia and the City of Carlisle Orchestra.

In 2016, Joanne began her studies at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In July 2020, Joanne graduated as  Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours and began her teaching career in Fife. Joanne has since returned to Dumfries and Galloway where she has taken up the position of Teacher of Music at Castle Douglas High School. Joanne is looking forward to helping out at DGYO rehearsals and rejoining Solway Sinfonia now that she is back in her home town of Dumfries.

Like every other musical organisation all DGYO group activities have had to be stopped while we all cope with the Coronavirus.  Well, perhaps not all!  A few weeks ago our young players were set a challenge.  Those of them who were up for it were asked to record their orchestral parts from the wonderful BBC 10 Pieces arrangement of Henry Purcell's Rondeau from his suite of incidental music for the play Abdelazer.  Many of our players rose brilliantly to the challenge and this recording is the result.  

Incredible performances, hard work and leadership - Wow, that was great today, Well done all and thank you, you were brilliant!  The Dumfries and Galloway Youth Orchestra is going from strength to strength and we hope everyone who came along enjoyed our concert as much as we enjoyed performing.  Huge thanks to all those individuals and organisations that help and support the orchestra and who make it all possible.

We're very happy to announce that David Lyons, Sub  Principal Percussionist with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has agreed to join us as percussion coach. Dave joined the BBC SSO as a permanent member in 1991 after studying with Martin Gibson and Pamela Dow at the RSAMD between 1982 - 1986.  Dave has freelanced with many different orchestras including the RSNO, Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.  He also plays with both the Kinneil and Newtongrange Brass Bands.  Dave regularly works with adults and children as part of the BBC SSO's education programme which includes the BBC Ten Pieces.  In his spare time Dave is a gadget geek who also likes snooker!

Dave will be coming to help for the first time at our rehearsal on 18 January and will be joining us when he can thereafter.

We're delighted to tell you that we've managed to secure the help of Lewis Bettles, an exciting young trombone player, to coach our brass players at the 18 January and 1 February rehearsals.  Read on below...

The Absolute Classics Young Person’s concert gave some members of the DGYO the opportunity  to play before an informed and discerning audience at the Buccleuch and Queensberry Hotel in Thornhill.