Future Concerts
Last Night of the Proms in aid of the Royal British Legion on the 25th October at 7.30 at Morley Town Hall
Christmas Concert 13th December at 7.00 in Morley Town hall. The music includes Swan Lake and 1812 Overture as well as Christmas Carols featuring the choirs of local schools. Inkeeping with the music there will be an soldiers and faries fancy dress competition for young audience members.
get in touch
If you would like to get in touch please do so on the following email address:
EMAIL ADDRESS
wyso_leeds@yahoo.co.uk
How to Join
If you are interested in joining the orchestra please email us. We do not operate formal auditions as we favour orchestral trials. Most of players are grade eight standard or have equivalent orchestral experience. As a guide:
Strings: We are actively seeking viola players and double basses but have vacancies across the sections.
Woodwind: We have no vacancies but if you would like to join the waiting list please get in touch. Please note our current woodwind section is diploma standard
Brass and others: We are keen to hear from all brass players. Percussionists, harpists or keyboard players are also welcome to get in touch.
Rehearsals are held on Wednesday nights 7.30-9.30 during the school term. We currently rehearse at Beckett Park Learning Centre in Headingley. The address is Foxcroft Close, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3NT . To view this on a map, please see MultiMap.
To find out more about some of our members and what they think about the orchestra, click on the profiles below:
Name: Sam Essen
Position: Leader and Violin Representative on Artistic Committee
Instrument: Violin
Job: Investment Consultant
I've been leading WYSO since 2004. During these four years we've had many amazing experiences, from playing in some of Leeds's most prestigious venues to accompanying a Japanese rock band at a festival in Scarborough! I've played in many orchestras but the thing that makes WYSO so special for me is that it's so sociable and there's a real feeling of camaraderie in the group. I've been told that comes across at concerts too in how well we play together. The music we play is great too - we take a lot of trouble to make sure we put together challenging but achievable programmes that people will enjoy playing, and each concert has an overriding theme.
Position: Leader and Violin Representative on Artistic Committee
Instrument: Violin
Job: Investment Consultant
I've been leading WYSO since 2004. During these four years we've had many amazing experiences, from playing in some of Leeds's most prestigious venues to accompanying a Japanese rock band at a festival in Scarborough! I've played in many orchestras but the thing that makes WYSO so special for me is that it's so sociable and there's a real feeling of camaraderie in the group. I've been told that comes across at concerts too in how well we play together. The music we play is great too - we take a lot of trouble to make sure we put together challenging but achievable programmes that people will enjoy playing, and each concert has an overriding theme.
Name: Esther Hughes
Position: Librarian
Instrument: Violin
Job: Education Officer at Museum
I've joined WYSO in 2004 when I moved to Leeds for a job. I wanted to get involved in an orchestra again and meet like-minded people. When I first joined WYSO two things struck me - I thought the standard was high and felt proud to be involved in the orchestra, and, more importantly, I thought everyone was really nice. Musically, WYSO is a great orchestra to be in - there are so many diverse skills - composers, arrangers, music lecturers, I learn new things all the time. It is also a very progressive orchestra - with WYSO I had the opportunity to fulfil a life long dream and play with a rock band (Electric Eel Shock) at a festival (Beached 2005); as well as play with some incredible soloists and at a variety of venues throughout West Yorkshire.
Position: Librarian
Instrument: Violin
Job: Education Officer at Museum
I've joined WYSO in 2004 when I moved to Leeds for a job. I wanted to get involved in an orchestra again and meet like-minded people. When I first joined WYSO two things struck me - I thought the standard was high and felt proud to be involved in the orchestra, and, more importantly, I thought everyone was really nice. Musically, WYSO is a great orchestra to be in - there are so many diverse skills - composers, arrangers, music lecturers, I learn new things all the time. It is also a very progressive orchestra - with WYSO I had the opportunity to fulfil a life long dream and play with a rock band (Electric Eel Shock) at a festival (Beached 2005); as well as play with some incredible soloists and at a variety of venues throughout West Yorkshire.
Name: Karen Gourlay
Position: Woodwind Representative on the Artistic Committee
Instrument: Flute
Job: Flute teacher, composer and arranger
I've been playing flute with WYSO since the first rehearsal in 2003. There were only 11 of us then, how things have changed! I only went to help out for a couple of weeks and enjoyed it so much I stayed. The thing I really enjoy about WYSO is the friendly atmosphere at the rehearsals and the way everyone works together to achieve a high standard at concerts. The concerts are always well promoted and it's fantastic seeing adults and children in the audience who are hearing an orchestra play live for the first time. It's an amazing sound, so much better than a CD.
Position: Woodwind Representative on the Artistic Committee
Instrument: Flute
Job: Flute teacher, composer and arranger
I've been playing flute with WYSO since the first rehearsal in 2003. There were only 11 of us then, how things have changed! I only went to help out for a couple of weeks and enjoyed it so much I stayed. The thing I really enjoy about WYSO is the friendly atmosphere at the rehearsals and the way everyone works together to achieve a high standard at concerts. The concerts are always well promoted and it's fantastic seeing adults and children in the audience who are hearing an orchestra play live for the first time. It's an amazing sound, so much better than a CD.
Name: Cassie Oliver
Position: Communications/Publicity Officer
Instrument: Cello
Job: Marketing Manager for Web-Translations
I've played cello on and off since I was 15, and joined WYSO last Autumn. Being in an orchestra is definitely the most enjoyable way of playing for me, it's great to be part of something on a larger scale, and as a whole the progress we make is much more satisfying than the improvements I make playing solo.
The atmosphere at WYSO is really friendly, fun but focused at the same time. I've played in several adult learners orchestras, but had mostly been in string-only ensembles until now, so was amazed at the powerful sound we make all together. I'm pleased to say that friends who have come to watch out concerts have been very impressed, and want to come again. Several of them had never been to a classical concert before, so it's great to do my small part of introducing "classical virgins".
Position: Communications/Publicity Officer
Instrument: Cello
Job: Marketing Manager for Web-Translations
I've played cello on and off since I was 15, and joined WYSO last Autumn. Being in an orchestra is definitely the most enjoyable way of playing for me, it's great to be part of something on a larger scale, and as a whole the progress we make is much more satisfying than the improvements I make playing solo.
The atmosphere at WYSO is really friendly, fun but focused at the same time. I've played in several adult learners orchestras, but had mostly been in string-only ensembles until now, so was amazed at the powerful sound we make all together. I'm pleased to say that friends who have come to watch out concerts have been very impressed, and want to come again. Several of them had never been to a classical concert before, so it's great to do my small part of introducing "classical virgins".
Name: Kate Davison
Position: Chair
Instrument: French Horn
Job: School Finance Officer
I've been part of WYSO since the very first rehearsal and am so proud of what it has developed into and what it has acheived. WYSO was founded by a group friends who wanted something play in after graduating that was a little bit different but still perform to a high standard and would encourage the community to discover classical music. WYSO still retains the feel of a group of friends who enjoy playing together which to me is the most important part of being in an orchestra. I'd just finished a music degree when I joined WYSO and having performed in very pressurised environment my confidence was incredibly low. WYSO has never once made me feel small for playing a wrong note and has such a supportive atmosphere it makes the buzz from a successful concert even better. The work we do with the community is also incredibly rewarding.
Position: Chair
Instrument: French Horn
Job: School Finance Officer
I've been part of WYSO since the very first rehearsal and am so proud of what it has developed into and what it has acheived. WYSO was founded by a group friends who wanted something play in after graduating that was a little bit different but still perform to a high standard and would encourage the community to discover classical music. WYSO still retains the feel of a group of friends who enjoy playing together which to me is the most important part of being in an orchestra. I'd just finished a music degree when I joined WYSO and having performed in very pressurised environment my confidence was incredibly low. WYSO has never once made me feel small for playing a wrong note and has such a supportive atmosphere it makes the buzz from a successful concert even better. The work we do with the community is also incredibly rewarding.
Name: Amy Walton
Position: Secretary
Instrument: Bassoon
Job: To follow
Position: Secretary
Instrument: Bassoon
Job: To follow
Name: Paul Grooby
Position: Brass Representative on the Artistic Committee
Instrument: French Horn
Job: Chemistry Teacher
I've been playing the French Horn since I was ten years old but after leaving university found opportunities to play with good ensembles increasingly scarce. I've played with WYSO since its inception and have been so proud to see it grow over the last few years from an orchestra with just a dozen members to a full size symphony orchestra. We rehearse weekly and perform to a very high standard in our concerts around Leeds (and increasingly in other parts of West Yorkshire). I really value the friends I have made in the orchestra as well as the chance to forget all about work for a couple of hours each week and just enjoy playing.
Position: Brass Representative on the Artistic Committee
Instrument: French Horn
Job: Chemistry Teacher
I've been playing the French Horn since I was ten years old but after leaving university found opportunities to play with good ensembles increasingly scarce. I've played with WYSO since its inception and have been so proud to see it grow over the last few years from an orchestra with just a dozen members to a full size symphony orchestra. We rehearse weekly and perform to a very high standard in our concerts around Leeds (and increasingly in other parts of West Yorkshire). I really value the friends I have made in the orchestra as well as the chance to forget all about work for a couple of hours each week and just enjoy playing.