In 2004 the orchestra started a new tradition, performing a ‘Music for Youth’ concert in the spring. These are aimed particularly at younger people, with the object of inspiring them to enjoy music. The concerts start at 4 pm to make attendance easier for younger children. Each year we invite local schools to arrange parties or to inform parents so that they can make individual bookings.

As for all our concerts, children under 16 are admitted free if accompanied by an adult (each adult can take more than one child!). These very popular events are generally completely booked more than a month in advance of each concert so early booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

So far we have been very fortunate in being able to welcome local resident and Orchestra Patron Martin Clunes to narrate pieces in each of these concerts. We very much hope he will be able to continue supporting us in this way.

Past highlights have included popular favourites such as Peter and the Wolf and Tubby the Tuba but Martin has in more recent years acted as storyteller for an on–going series of world premieres. Music by Liz Sharma and words by Richard baker have provided entertainments such as Pass the Baton and Dave the Musical Caveman.

These one hour concerts also provide a further platform for very young school aged musicians to perform a solo with the orchestra. The programme for 2011 had three outstanding soloists, one as young as 8 years old.

Tickets for the Spring 2012 concert for Youth are available now, and can be obtained by sending an SAE to:

Mary Brown
10, Arncott Hall
13 Poole Road
Bournemouth
BH2 5QR

stating the number of adult and child tickets required. Cheques for the adult tickets (£10 each) should be made payable to ‘Dorset Chamber Orchestra’.