The History of the Cumbria Youth Orchestra

  The Cumbria Youth Orchestra has existed since 1974.  It was run and financed by the County Music Service until 1994.  It is now run independently from the local education authority, but in partnership with the County Music Service.

The Orchestra was set up to give young musicians the opportunity to work with a professional conductor on repertoire beyond the scope of school and area orchestras.  The musicians have always, and continue to be, drawn from all corners of our huge, rural county.

The County Youth Orchestra has enriched the lives of countless young players over the past quarter century, and the present Cumbria Youth Orchestra and Cumbria Youth Training Orchestra are living testimonies to the harmony resulting from youthful enthusiasm tempered by expert tuition.