Christchurch Youth Orchestra

The Christchurch Youth Orchestra (CYO) was founded in the 1970s and is the senior orchestra of the Christchurch School of Music.   The orchestra is a musically and technically advanced orchestra for the city's musical youth to widen and develop their musical and performing experience.

Each year the orchestra performs four full concerts as well as performing at corporate and community events. Professional players from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, University of Canterbury and the NZSO work with students at sectionals to coach them in the nuances of orchestral playing.

CYO has been lucky to have wonderful conductors taking up the baton over the years and each conductor has brought their own strengths and passions to ensure the orchestra has always provided great opportunities for young musicians to develop musicianship and build their orchestral repertoire.

Entry into the Youth Orchestra is by audition. This not only ensures that talented students throughout Christchurch are given the opportunity to join the orchestra, but also that those students who might choose to pursue a musical career have the chance to experience the “live” audition process.