TVYO news and events
TVYO viola project - conversion lessons
Youth orchestras across the UK are facing an important challenge: a shortage of viola players. Like many ensembles, TVYO has begun to feel the impact of this. To help address the issue, we are delighted to offer a special scheme for violinists who may be curious about trying the viola. Our wonderful tutor, Rachel Byrt, will provide three conversion lessons, and we have four violas available to loan. The viola is a beautiful instrument with a warm, rich tone, and learning it gives young musicians valuable versatility and musicianship that will benefit them for life. Most importantly, it would make a huge difference to the orchestra as a whole. If you are interested in taking part, we would love to hear from you. Please send us an email or speak to a member of the team at the next rehearsal.
Update (1st Jan 2026): Three places have already been filled for the Spring term - one place remains.
TVYO's Autumn 2025 concert
Booking is now open for our next concert, which takes place on Saturday 6th December 2025 at 7:30pm. The venue is St Helen’s & St. Katharine’s School, Yolande Paterson Hall, Faringdon Road, Abingdon OX14 1BE. We will be performing the following pieces:
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Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld Overture
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Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnole
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Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6 “Pathétique”
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Update (4th December): online ticket requests are now closed. Tickets will be available on the door.
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Concert programme: an electronic copy of the programme is available here.
Monday 2nd June 2025
New orchestra launched – applications open!
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Thames Vale Intermediate Orchestra (TVIO), which will be welcoming young players who are currently around Grades 3-5+. You can download a promotional flyer here. TVIO will introduce its members to the essential skills needed to play in an orchestra while exploring a wide range of exciting pieces from Baroque to movie music. The new orchestra is led and conducted by Helen Eccleston, known locally for her work with the Music Flood orchestra, Abingdon Music Centre and Larkmead School.
TVIO will meet at Larkmead School, Abingdon on Monday evenings (6.15 pm to 7.45 pm). Applications are now open, and rehearsals will begin in September 2025. If you are interested in joining TVIO, or simply finding out more about us, please refer to the 'Join us' page to find more detailed information about the orchestra. If you have any questions, you are also welcome to contact the Admissions Secretary.
TVYO to perform at Symphony Hall, Birmingham on Friday 11th July 2025
We are delighted to announce that TVYO will be performing at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on Friday 11th July. Our combined orchestra will bring together TVYO members and alumni, along with young musicians from Music Flood, an innovative partnership that works with primary schools across Oxfordshire.
We have been invited to perform at the three-day Music for Youth (MFY) National Festival following our hugely successful performance as the 300-strong ‘Mighty Orchestra’ at Oxford Town Hall on 24th April. The orchestra will be opening an afternoon concert titled, ‘MFY Presents: Creative Ensembles’, which showcases unique approaches to music making from around the country.
You can book tickets for this concert, and other MFY Festival events, at National Festival 2025 - Music for Youth or by calling B:Music on 0121 644 6140.
Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Credits: Roger D Kidd / Geograph
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Saturday 22nd March 2025
TVYO Spring concert and combined concert with Music Flood
Our Spring concert on Saturday 22nd March took place at St Andrew's Church, Oxford. The performance comprised four pieces:
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Rossini - William Tell Overture
Tchakovsky - Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
Wagner - Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral
Britten - Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
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The full programme is available to download here.
We also joined young musicians from The Music Flood for a special combined concert at Oxford Town Hall on Monday 24th March.
