SLYO is not one orchestra but a family of orchestras each offering vision, ambition and excellence. At the heart of our organisation are professional conductors, outstanding tuition from the best musicians in the profession and fine repertoire. Serving the diverse and wide communities of South London our collaborating orchestras work with beginners to advanced students aged 8-19.

History: SLYO was launched in August 2010 with 65 young musicians taking part in our inaugural course and concert. We now have over 150 members including those in our flourishing first orchestra for advanced musicians. SLYO runs three times a year – during the Summer, Christmas and Easter holidays. Attending each course is not compulsory but to get the most out of the experience it is to be recommended. Regular membership allows exciting and challenging repertoire to be explored and brings clear musical and social benefits. We hope your child will want to attend regularly, but if they are unable to do so they are most welcome to re-join us in the future where spaces permit. Rehearsals and concerts currently take place in The Holst Hall, JAGS Music School and JAPS Hall but in the future SLYO will take place in the James Allen’s Community Music Centre, all in Dulwich SE22.

Our Orchestras: Fourth Orchestra (for violins only) combines general musicianship, good violin technique and fun repertoire. Third Orchestra (for violin, cello and double bass) continues this journey whilst introducing more challenging repertoire and developing ensemble skills. Musicians in the First and Second Orchestras (both symphony orchestras with full string, wind, brass and percussion sections) are lead through the vast classic and film orchestral repertoire. All courses culminate in inspired final performances.

With SLYO you can expect life-long friendships, leadership, tours, artistic collaboration with an underlying aim to bring a fresh musical experience to the heart of South London. Please click on individual pages for booking forms and further course details.

All fees include lunch, refreshments at break times, tuition and performances:

SUMMER COURSES 2012 – Tuesday 28th to Friday 31st August

SLYO 1 and 2: (4 day courses)
9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Performance 7 pm 31st August, Holst Hall, JAGS.
£160 (full amount)
£120 (reduced amount for siblings)

SLYO 3: (4 day course)
9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Performance 4.30 pm 31st August, JAPS Hall
£160 (full amount)
£120 (reduced amount for siblings)

SLYO 4: (4 day course)
9.30 am to 4.30 pm.
Performance 3.30 pm 31st August, JAGS 6^th Form
£160 (full amount)
£120 (reduced amount for siblings)

For families sending 3 or more children to SLYO please contact Beverly Sizer on 020 8613 6445 for fee remission.

Bursaries are available for families receiving state benefits and those on lower incomes; please contact SLYO on 020 8613 6445 to discuss the availability of bursary places.

Future Dates SLYO 1, 2, 3 and 4:

Christmas: Wednesday 2nd – Friday 4th January 2013

Each orchestra has its own entrance criteria; see below for how to join:

Fourth Orchestra: SLYO 4 is for violinists aged 8+ and Grade 1-2+ level. No audition is required. Simply complete the application form including teacher recommendation and return to us at SLYO.

Third Orchestra: SLYO 3 is for orchestral string players aged 8+:
Violin: Grade 3-5 level
Cello: Grade 3-5 level
Double Bass: Grade 2-4 level but if you are a confident Grade 1 level do get in touch to discuss availability.

No audition is required. Simply complete the application form including teacher recommendation and return to us at SLYO.

Second Orchestra: SLYO 2 is for orchestral players aged 9 – 18:
Strings: Grade 5-7 level
Wind and Brass:  Grade 6-7+ level
Percussionists:  a confident Grade 4 level or pianists Grade 6+ who are keen to get orchestral experience

No audition is required. Simply complete the application form including teacher recommendation and return to us at SLYO.

First Orchestra :
SLYO 1 is for orchestral players aged up to 19:
String players Grade 7+
Wind and Brass players Grade 8+.
Percussionists Grade 6 + or Grade 8+ pianists who are looking for orchestral experience.

We offer all string players a place without audition if they have Grade 8 or a teacher recommendation of Grade 8 level. Simply complete the Grade8+Strings application form including teacher recommendation and return to us at SLYO.

For all other SLYO 1 musicians, informal auditions are held on Tuesdays during term time from 6.00pm at James Allen’s Girls’ School, or by individual appointment. These auditions are friendly and short; they ensure that each young musician is placed in the right place in the orchestra from the onset of our courses. To book an audition contact Beverly on 20 8613 6445.

Who can apply: We are always keen to hear from string players Grade 7+ and Wind and Brass players Grade 8+. Percussionists should be of Grade 6 level but equally could be Grade 8+ pianists who are keen to get orchestral experience.

Auditions are held from 6pm on Tuesdays during term time at James Allen’s Girls’ School, or by individual appointment. To book an audition call Jasspa on 020 8613 6444. In some instances auditions are not required – All string players Grade 8+ can simply apply with an application form.

Daily Structure – 9.30am – 4.30pm. Each day is split into a combination of full and sectional rehearsals, led by Leigh O’Hara and a team of outstanding orchestral tutors.

Performance: Combined concert with SLYO 2 always on the last day of the course, 7pm, JAGS Holst Hall.

Tutors – Christian Persinaru (Violin), John Dickinson (Violin and Viola), Andrew Fuller (Cello), Julie Buckley (Double Bass), Maxwell Spiers (Woodwind), Robin Smith (Brass) and  Donna-Maria Landowski (Percussion).

First Orchestra Conductor Leigh O’Hara studied conducting with Peter Stark and is Musical Director of the Blackheath Halls Orchestra, JAGS Choral Society and James Allen Community Orchestra. He has a particular passion for making music with non-professional musicians and young people and proves time and again that major repertoire is well within their reach. Recently Leigh has worked with diverse groups including Year 5 singers from over 15 different schools, adult dancers from Laban in Greenwich and the University of Southampton Wind Orchestra, as well as being Musical Director for three community operas at Blackheath Halls.  Since 2003 he has been Director of Music at JAGS in Dulwich where he conducts the highly successful Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.

Recent Repertoire:
Mussorgsky/Rimsky-Korsakov – Night on a Bare Mountain
Ravel – Mother Goose Suite
Mussorgsky (orchestrated Ravel) – Pictures at an Exhibition
Dvorak – Slavonic Dances Op.46
Mozart – Overture to the Magic Flute
Beethoven – Symphony No.5 in C minor Op.67
Bizet – Extracts from Carmen Suites
Dvorak – Symphony No 8 in G Major
Tchaikovsky – Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
Rossini – Overture to William Tell

Who can apply: SLYO 3 is for musicians aged 8+
Violin: Grade 3-5 level
Cello: Grade 3-5 level
Double Bass: Grade 2-4 level but if you are a confident Grade 1 level do get in touch to discuss a possible application – this is always a little dependant on repertoire planned and the individuals other musical experience.

Daily Structure – 9.30am – 4.30pm. Each day is split into a combination of full and sectional rehearsals, led by Richard Sizer and a team of outstanding string tutors.

Tutors – Julia Atkinson (Violin), Mairi-Louise Guzman (Violin), Sarah Tilley (Violin), Dan James (Cello) and Hannah Turnbull (Double Bass).

Third Orchestra Conductor Richard Sizer started the violin at the age of 6 after being inspired by the musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. Piano and trombone followed later and aged 11 he joined the Royal College of Music JD where he won the composition prize and led the RCM orchestra. He also led Bedfordshire County Youth Orchestra and Youth Opera Group. Since then he has worked with recording studios and film projects, Big Bands and jazz ensembles. He is currently Director of Music at Cumnor House School, Croydon where he conducts and composes for orchestras, choirs and ensembles. Recent highlights include performances at the O2 Arena and St. Peter’s Basilica (Vatican City).

Recent Repertoire:
Handel – Air and Trumpet Minuet from the Water Music
Anita Hewitt-Jones – Serenade and Rumba
Christopher Wiggins – Hungarian Melody
Richard Sizer – Mystery Hornpipe
Lennon and McCartney arr. Larry Moore – Eleanor Rigby
Anita Hewitt-Jones – The Mary Rose
Dvorak – Largo from ‘New World Symphony
Leroy Anderson – Plink, Plank, Plunk!
Richard Sizer and SLYO 3 – Haunted House
Anita Hewitt-Jones – The Great Western
Henry Mancini – Pink Panther
Dvorak – Largo from ‘New World Symphony’
Neal Hefti – Batman
Mozart – Minuet and Trio arr. Sheila Nelson
J.A.Greenwood – The Acrobat
Daphne Baker- Carnival Night
John Moss – Sleigh Bells Jingling

Who can apply:
Violins: Grade 1-2 level.

Daily Structure – 9.30am – 4.30pm. Each day involves a combination of full and sectional rehearsals.

Tutors – Naomi Rogers-Hefley and Kit Massey.

Performance: Always on the last day of the course, 3.30pm JAGS Music School.

Fourth Orchestra Tutors

Naomi Rogers-Hefley started the violin at the age of four, encouraged by her musician parents. She spent her youth playing in the Belfast School of Music’s various ensembles before specialising in Baroque and Folk violin. Naomi has played all over Europe with baroque ensembles including His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts, Red Byrd, The London Handel Orchestra & The Dufay Collective. She currently teaches violin at JAPS and Garden House schools where she delights in fostering joy in music making.

Recent Repertoire:
Aidan Massey – Daddy’s got the Hiccups
Kathy and David Blackwell – Sea Suite
Kit Massey – A Crazy Day out at the Funfair
Kathy and David Blackwell – Jazz Suite
SLYO 4 Improvisation – Jazz Question and Answer
Edward Huws Jones – Toodle Pip
Christmas Calypso arranged by Katherine and Hugh Colledge
Silent Night arranged by Terry Kenny and Terry Catherine
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer arranged by Paul Eshelby
Kit Massey  – Cold Sprouts