History

Grampian Youth Orchestra which started as part of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival has since gone on to give performances at all of the major local venues including the Music Hall, the Beach Ballroom, Mitchell Hall, Queen's Cross Church, and St Andrew's Cathedral as well as performances in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. A large number of former GYO players have gone on to study music at conservatoires and many now enjoy successful performing careers.

Past Performances

June 2019

Music Hall, Aberdeen

Conductor: Susannah Wapshott

Soloist: Murray McLachlan


Vaughan-Williams, English Folksong Suite

Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No 2 in C minor, Op. 18

Brahms, Symphony No 2 in D, Op. 73

July 2018

Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen

Conductor: Ciaran McAuley

Soloist: Chris Gough


Sibelius, Finlandia, Op. 26

Dvorak, The Noon Witch, Op. 108

Strauss, Horn Concerto No 1 in E flat, Op. 11

Elgar, Enigma Variations, Op. 36

June 2017

St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen

Conductor: Jonathan Hargreaves

Soloist: Amy Birse


Wagner, Die Meistersinger Prelude

Mendelssohn, Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64

Tchaikovsky, Symphony No 5 in E minor, Op. 64

July 2016

European Tour

Conductor: Andrey Rubtsov


MacCunn, Overture to the Land of the Mountain and the Flood, Op. 3

Borodin, In The Steppes of Central Asia

Sibelius, Symphony No 2 in D, Op. 43

June 2015

Music Hall, Aberdeen

Conductor: Chris Swaffer

Soloist: Lauren Steel


Walton, Crown Imperial

Elgar, Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85

Dvorak, Symphony No 9 in E Minor, "New World", Op.95

July 2014

Music Hall, Aberdeen


Conductor: Ciaran McAuley

Soloist: Murray McLachlan


Wagner, Rienzi Overture

Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor, Op. 23

Franck, Symphony in D minor

July 2014

Music Hall, Aberdeen

As part of Aberdeen International Youth Festival


Conductor: Scott Matheson

Choir: Madison Youth Boy Choir, Wisconsin, USA


GYO performed the National Anthems at the AIYF Opening Ceremony

June 2013

Music Hall, Aberdeen


Conductor: Oliver Rundell

Soloist: Jessica Coleman


Dvorak Slavonic Dances No. 1, 2 & 8, Op. 46

Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36

April 2011

Music Hall, Aberdeen


Conductor: Jessica Cottis

Soloist: Joe Boyd


Shostakovich Festive Overture

Mozart Horn Concerto No. 3

Sibelius Symphony No 1 in E minor

April 2010

Queen’s Cross Church, Aberdeen


Conductor/Violin: Alexander Janichek

Oboe Soloist: Cheryl Bell


Bach Bradenburg Concerto No 3

Bach Concerto for Oboe and Violin in D minor

Bartok Romanian Dances

Dvorak Symphony No 8 in G major

April 2008

Queen’s Cross Church, Aberdeen


Conductor: Julian Clayton


Suppe Poet and Peasant Overture

Works also by Vaughn Williams, Gordon Jacob and Massnet

August 2007

Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen


Conductor: Randal Swiggum

Soloist: Ian Watt


Dvorak Slavonic Dance, op. 46, no. 8 in G minor

Lutoslawski Mala Suita

Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez (with soloist Ian Watt)

Leighton Dance Suite No. 2

Copland Hoedown

May 2007

Mitchell Hall, Marischal College, Aberdeen

University of Aberdeen Chamber Orchestra & Grampian Youth Orchestra


Leighton Dance Suite No. 2

Rossini Overture to the Barber of Seville

Vivaldi Concerto for 2 Cellos in F minor

McGuire Scottish Dances on Original Themes