Friends of the
East Riding Youth Orchestras

Registered Charity No. 529849

Home

Hello and welcome to the “FERYO” website. The aim of this website is to tell you about the Friends of the East Riding Youth Orchestras and what we do, and more importantly tell you a bit about the Orchestras and Ensembles that the Friends are supporting, what they do, and what events are up and coming—or at least direct you to the links which tell you what the events are. As a start for that, here’s the link to the East Riding Schools Music Service. 

Happy New Year!

We hope you had a peaceful and restful Christmas—after, of course, you’d had a chance to enjoy one of the concerts or heard the players at one of the many fund raising events that took place over the last half term and Christmas break. A big thank you to all those who helped out, especially at the very successful Morrison’s Bag Pack.

The Christmas Concerts at Hull City Hall (Youth Orchestra and the Senior Wind Band joined by Swinemoor Primary School Choir ) and Beverley Minster (Strings Training Orchestra, Intermediate Strings Ensemble, and Youth Singers, as well as the surprise brass group) were fabulous occasions and an excellent start to the Christmas season. In fact, comment on the City Hall concert, received from Heather Pedley was

“Just a note to say how brilliant the concert was on Sunday at the City Hall.  I thoroughly enjoyed both bands.  I can't wait for the next concert the bands seem to get better and better”.

If you made it to the concert, hope you felt the same - there were many similar comments from the audience. As ever, there should be more in the members’ Newsletter.

The next chance to enjoy a concert will be on Saturday 28th January when the Intermediate Wind Band, both the Intermediate and Senior Percussion Ensembles and the Youth Jazz Orchestra’s will be at Longcroft for their annual mid-winter concert - there will be a taster of the Friend’s Jazz and Quiz night and an opportunity to see some of the star performers from the Albert Hall appearance and from the National Youth Orchestra.

Diary Dates

If your little darling has lost the rehearsal sheet or you’re not sure when or where you should be, don’t forget to check out the Rehearsals page. Of course the Concerts are all listed too.

National Success...

Congratulations to our National Youth Orchestra successes - Jonathan Taylor, YO double bass, for being accepted into the NYO and also Laura Bradford, YO percussion, who has made the reserve list. Well done both of you.

ECYM 2011 Final—well done ER Members!

What a fantastic event! Entertainment by the ER Youth Jazz Orchestra premiering a brand new composition written and arranged for the JO by Jonathan Taylor - with him making is debut vocal performance with the JO too - and the high standard of all the competition finalists who enthralled the audience. The members of the ER orchestras were well represented in the finals so well done and congratulations to all the finalists. They’d all done remarkable performances to reach the finals and it’s a shame that there is only one winner in each group. The judges had a hard choice to make in selecting the winners, especially in the hotly contested Under 18 category. Find out more in next term’s members newsletter. Details of the Young Musician 2011 competition are on the CCMF website.

Young Prommers—Senior percussion Ensemble

at Royal Albert hall

The Senior Percussion Ensemble took part in this year’s School’s Proms on Monday 7th November at the Royal Albert Hall.  This was a fantastic achievement by them and their leader Chris Sykes. Of course, the Friends were supporting them. If you didn’t manage to get along  you can see some of the event on the Classic FM Website, there are photos of the percussion ensemble’s rehearsal and  live performance.  There are more details of this event on the Music For Youth website.

Music matters!

All this success at regional and national level is down to a great Schools Music Service. We - players and audiences - all know how important music is. What’s especially great is how music can transform and enhance both children’s and school’s attainment levels. Music gifts individuals and groups with skills and confidence that spill over into all areas of education and life. It’s an important part of a school’s curriculum and in these tough times it’s important to support music in schools and support our Music Service. Download this brochure to find out more, there’s a poster too, and encourage your school to promote music.

Malcolm Arnold Festival Feedback

The Youth Orchestra was invited to perform at this prestigious event, where all the works of Malcolm Arnold were performed on consecutive days. The YO took part in the Sunday concert and reportedly this was a fantastic event to a very appreciative crowd. Read more in next terms newsletter. If you didn’t get to see this concert, or even if you did, there’s another opportunity to see they ERYO performing with the Hull Phil on the 26th November (check out the concerts page)

Super Sweeties

If you would mind helping out with tuck shop, please download the tuck shop form, fill it in, and hand it back to a committee member or return it to the tuck shop or if you prefer, fill in this form, save a copy and email a copy back to us.  If you’re willing help at any of the concerts or fund raising events, please get in touch with one of the committee members and let them know when your available.         

AGM—A Good Meeting

The Annual General Meeting went ahead and we had a few changes as we said fond goodbyes to Val Salter and Ed Dennison. Kate Leonard stood down from the Chair but we managed to keep her around on the committee to train up the new chair. Thank you also to Catherine Phillipson for the cakes - a very tasty treat to go along with the cuppa while the meeting went on. We have a change of roles for some and the return of familiar faces but we’d still like help in particular with a Sponsorship Secretary and Newsletter editor if you or anyone you know might be interested! Please get in touch.

Even if you don’t want to take an active part in Friends, the committee still needs your support so if you’re not a member yet (or you haven't renewed), just fill in your subscription form and get it back to us as soon as you can.  Don’t forget the membership benefits that you can enjoy while supporting all the fantastic orchestras and ensembles that our kids belong to. Or think about sponsorship—and the benefits that has too.

Hire The hexagon

Need a venue for a one of event or a regular meeting? Have you considered the Hexagon? With excellent facilities and rooms a varying size this might be the location for you. Take a look at the brochure or contact the Schools Music Service on 01482 392680 or email for more details. If you would like to make a booking you can download a booking form from here and email it to the SMS.