Centre for Young Musicians London Schools Symphony Orchestra
Join London’s premier youth orchestra for young musicians aged 14–19 and enjoy the opportunity to work with distinguished conductors and illustrious soloists during the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays.
Applications for courses in December–January 2022, April 2023 and July–September 2023 are now closed. Late applications will be considered if spaces are available. Please get in touch if you have missed the deadline.
Key information:
- Course dates:
- Christmas, Easter and Summer Holidays
- Course times:
- 10.00am-5.00pm
- Age:
- 14-19
- Art form:
- Music
- Deadline:
- Apply by Saturday 7 October 2022 for courses in December–January 2022, April 2023, and July–September 2023 (late applications will be considered)
- Level of study:
- Short Courses & Summer Schools, Workshops & Saturday Centres (ages 4-18)
- Mode of study:
- Summer Schools
- Venue:
- Morley College
- Contact details:
- lsso@cym.org.uk
About the London Schools Symphony Orchestra
Join London’s premier youth orchestra for young musicians aged 14–19 and enjoy the opportunity to work with distinguished conductors and illustrious soloists during the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays.
Hailed by Sir Simon Rattle as "an incomparable ambassador for the dynamism and excellence of British youth", the London Schools Symphony Orchestra has for over seventy years been regarded as one of the country’s foremost youth orchestras. LSSO alumni can be found working in professional orchestras across the UK and beyond.
The orchestra performs regularly at the Barbican Concert Hall in the City of London. Tour destinations have included Europe, Japan, the USA and Argentina. The repertoire is wide and varied, giving young players the opportunity to play orchestral masterpieces, take part in semi-staged productions of operas, and perform contemporary works, many commissioned especially for the LSSO.
Recent guest conductors include Christopher Warren-Greene, Sian Edwards, Dominic Wheeler and Timothy Redmond.
Applicants should have reached at least Grade 7 on their instrument, which should be demonstrated via the answers on their application form and at audition.
Upon receipt of your application, a friendly member of our team will be in touch to invite you for audition.
Auditions are relaxed and informal. Applicants will be asked to play up to 5 minutes of contrasting music of their own choice. They will also be sent orchestral excerpts to prepare.
Accompanists are not provided but applicants may bring their own.
Fees
£570* per course
*Any tour will carry additional fees
Payment schedule
You will be invoiced separately for each course via the billing details provided on the application form.
Bursaries
Means tested bursaries are available on request.
Please note that applications for courses in December–January 2022, April 2023 and July–September 2023 close 7 October 2022. Late applications throughout the year will be considered if spaces are available. Please get in touch if you have missed the deadline.
Applications for courses in December 2023–September 2024 will open on 1 August 2023.
