The origins of Thames Vale Youth Orchestra date back to the late 1950s when Frances Kitching started the Abingdon Holiday Orchestra Christmas Concerts.  By 1969, this initiative had led to the foundation of the North Berks Youth Orchestra.  Thames Vale Youth Orchestra adopted its present name in 1974.  Michael Stinton, formerly Head of Music at Abingdon School, was appointed as Conductor and Musical Director in 1992, and provided inspiring leadership for the orchestra over the next 31 years.  Following his retirement, Michael was succeeded in September 2023 by the distinguished conductor and educator, Caroline Hobbs-Smith.

 

Over the years the orchestra has attracted many of the best young musicians from the area.  Recent members have played in the National Children's Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra, and also in the Junior Orchestras of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music.  TVYO is now an independent youth orchestra, managed by the Thames Vale Youth Orchestra Trust, a Registered Charity.

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Musical Directors

 

Anthony le Fleming (1969-1973)

Bryan Kelly (1973-1975)

Robert Secret (1975-1976)

John Melvin (1976-1992)

Michael Stinton (1992-2023)

Caroline Hobbs-Smith (since 2023)

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