Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestra - Activities Suspended post covid
We found that after the Covid pandemic, the number of younger players joining the ensembles decreased markedly. This meant that as the older children left school, there were insufficient numbers of experienced players available in the area to support a full orchestra.
The main orchestra was therefore temporarily suspended to concentrate available musicians into the String Orchestra, Wind Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble.
It is intended that these ensembles will on occasion rehearse and perform together, to give our players the experience of performing with a full orchestra.
Thankfully, we now have plenty of younger players moving up the ensembles, and we hope that in the future Hampshire Music Services will be in a position to fund this ensemble again.
Performing at Euro Disney on one of our tours.
The Orchestra plays at least once each year in the Anvil, Basingstoke; the premier Concert Venue in Southern England.
Anvil Performance 2017
The Orchestra has been on concert tour in Europe eight times and has performed in some extraordinary venues in France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy.
The orchestra has also appeared on Meridian Television during one of its Anvil performances.
John Fuller has conducted this ensemble since 1994 and is assisted by his wife Diane, and other tutors who help in rehearsals.
A Tuck shop is run by Susannah Stanley one of our trustees half way through each rehearsal, profits of which go towards a tour fund.
BAYO rehearses in the Gym at Queen Mary's College and is open to instrumentalists of approximately Grade 5 standard and above. Auditions take place each July for membership the following season.
BAYO on tour in Ghent in 2013
Hampshire Music Service co-ordinates bands, ensembles, orchestras and choirs for children and young people, all over Hampshire. The service organises some 400 performances every year, which can range from small gatherings of musicians and their families, to large events in public venues such as Winchester Cathedral, The Anvil and even The Royal Albert Hall. The service also supports schools to provide quality music tuition and affordable instrument hire to pupils.
Hampshire Music Service charges a fee for ensemble membership, which as of September 2025 is either £45 or £55 per term depending on ensemble (for more details, see here).