Date of Fundraising Bag Pack Changed

All orchestra members please note that the bag pack which was scheduled for Saturday 20 December at Sainsbury's Forestside has now been moved Tuesday 23rd December from 9am to 9pm in the same venue.

CBYO Calendar now on sale!!!

Looking for that ideal Christmas gift ? Well look no further!! Orders are now being taken for the 2009 CBYO Calendar. This calendar which features informal pictures of the CBYO druing rehearsal costs £5 with profits going towards the Italy/ Slovenia tour fund. Calendars are only available through advance order and this can be done via CBYO members or calling the Belfast School of Music.

Formal Date Announced

The annual CBYO and Concert band formal will be held on Saturday 28 February 2009 in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel. Tickets will cost £31.50 per person and all profits made will go towards the CBYO's fundraising for the summer 2009 tour. Deposits of £10 per person should be paid at rehearsals.

2008-09 season of concerts off to terrific start

The first concert of the CBYO's 2008-09 season was a rousing success. The concert on 17th October was performed to a packed house with the orchestra recieving a standing ovation from the audience. Congratulations particularly go to Malachy Frame, the solosit on the evening who performed the 1st movement of the Neruda Trumpet Concerto. Our thanks go to Fr. O'Donnell and all at St. Anne's Parish Church for hosting the concert and to the School of Music Youth Chorale, Harp Ensemble and the Choir of Malone College who were our guests on the evening.

Changes to Tour Cost for Italy and Slovenia

After a review we have been able to lower the cost of the tour for July 2009. Each CBYO member will now pay £800 per person and deposits are due in by Monday 13th October.

Date of 2009 Summer Concert Changed

All orchestra members should note that the date of the 2009 Summer concert has been changed. The concert which was originally scheduled for 27 June will now take place on Saturday 20th June in the Ulster Hall, Belfast.

Details of first concert of 2008 season announced

The orchestra will kick off it's 2008-09 season of concerts on Friday 17th October in St. Anne's Parish Church Derriaghy. Joining the CBYO on the night will be the Youth Chorale and Harp Ensemble from the School of Music and Malone College Choir. Announcing the line up CBYO manager Robert Briscoe said that he was "delighted to be able to bring the orchestra to perform in this part of the City for the first time and to welcome the other groups as their guests for the evening." All proceeds from the concert will be in aid of the Church and ticket details are available on our concerts page.

BBQ - everyone survived !!!!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the Team building afternoon and BBQ at Carnfunnock Country Park a success. Particular thanks go to the Friends of CBYO who funded the event, Scott Lowry who did the lions share of the cooking and Dr Joe McKee for his firelighting skills!! Everyone had an enjoyable afternoon and even the weather was on our side.

Definition of Mystery !?!!?

Ok for those members who have been contacting me to see where the mystery location for the bar b que is can I just explain the following; IF I TELL YOU IN ADVANCE IT WON'T BE A MYSTERY !! The bar b que will take place following orchestra on Saturday 20 September at ********** ******* **** our mystery location - the only clue you get is that we have to travel there by coach. Coaches leave at 12.30 returning to Castle High again at 5.30pm. Further information will be given out at rehearsals on 6 & 13 September.

Guest Soloist announced for 2008-09 Season

The CBYO is delighted to announce that Michael Trainor (violin) will be our guest soloist for the 2008-09 season. Michael a former leader of the orchestra, is currently studying at the Royal College of Music in London and over the past few years has led both the Ulster Youth Orchestra and National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. Michael will perform Vaughan William's "The Lark Ascending" both a home concert and also on tour next summer. CBYO conductor Paul McBride said the "he was delighted to welcome Michael back to the CBYO and looked forward to working with him throughout the year."

Membership 2008/09

All members of the orchestra should have recieved a letter regarding their membership of CBYO for next year. Any member who has not recieved this information should contact the orchestra manager via the contact section of this website.

Details of CBYO membership and a provisional concert / rehearsal schedule for 2008/09 season are now available. Please check the relevant sections of the website.

Stephen Parker Award 2008

Congratulations to David Douglas (Oboe) who is the 2008 recipient of the Stephen Parker Memorial Award. David receives £400 along with the memorial plaque and commemorative booklet.

Summer Concert

The 2008 Summer Concert on Saturday 3rd May in the Spires Centre was a resounding success. A large audience enjoyed the programmes performed both by the CBYO and their special guests the CBSM String Orchestra. Both soloists, Michael Toal and David Sloan recieved well deserved ovations for their exceptional performances of Csardas and the first movement of the Elgar Cello Concerto respectively. This concert, which also included the presentation of the Stephen Parker and Lesley McGarrison awards, brings to a close a busy season for the orchestra and also formally launches fundraising for the 2009 concert tour of Italy, Croatia and Slovenia.

Catherine Judge Award

Congratulations to David Sloan (cello) on winning of the Catherine Judge Memorial Award for 2008. This is the second year running that a member of the CBYO has won this prestigious award. David triumphed amongst a very strong line up of finalists including four other members of the CBYO: Joanna Byrne (viola), Richard Blake (trumpet), Emma King (percussion) and Paul McCusker (violin). Our best wishes go to all who made it to the final.

Re-enrolment / Application for CBYO membership 2008/09

Any existing CBYO members wishing to re-enrol for the 2008/09 season should return re-enrolment forms to CBSM by Wednesday 12 March 2008. Members of other School of Music ensembles or those not currently in any CBSM group, who wish to apply for CBYO should obtain a CBYO application form via the Head of the Brass, Percussion, Strings or Woodwind departments at the School of Music. These should be returned by 19 April 2008.

CBYO Clonard debut a success

The concert on Friday 7 March at Clonard Monastery was warmly recieved by the large audience in attendance. In this the CBYO's debut at Clonard the orchestra featured solosists Vicki Scmidt playing the Meditation from Thais on Violin and Michael Toal performing Csardas on Marimba and Vibraphone. The orchestra were joined on the night by the School of Music's Symphonic Brass and Youth Chorale as well as special guests St. Aiden's CBPS Tin Whistle group. This concert which was aimed at taking the CBYO out into the community was hailed as a great success. Our thanks go to all at Clonard Monastery for helping to make the evening a success.

Cultures combine for terrific night

The recent concert in association with the Mandarin Speakers Associaiton has been hailed as a great success. During this event the CBYO premiered 2 new works by composer Gao Xaing. The orchestra accompanied clarinetist Li Cong in Xaing's "Flowing River Fantasy" and also perfomed his "Masked Ball" overture. The concert which was performed before a large audience in the Spires concert Hall Belfast, also featured an international cast of dancers and musicians. Special mention must also go to trumpeters Malachy Frame and Richard Blake who performed the Vivaldi concerto for 2 trumpets with their usual flair.

2009 Concert Tour Details Announced

Orchestra Manager Robert Briscoe has announced that the CBYO will embark on a 12 night concert tour of Italy, Croatia and Slovenia in July 2009. Whilst the orchestra has performed in Italy previously in 1999 this will be the first time that they will have visited Croatia and Slovenia. Further details will be announced over the coming months and orchestra members will be sent provisional itineraries in August 2008.

                         

Orchestra goes rural!!

All orchestra staff and members are reminded that rehearsals will take place at Greenmount College Antrim on Sat 19th and Sun 20th January 2008 as part of the intensive rehearsal course. The course begins at 9.00am Saturday and ends at 2.30pm Sunday.

New Concert added to Season

The CBYO will now perform in concert as guests of the Northern Ireland Madarin Speaker's Association. The concert featuring a fusion of eastern and western performance will be held in the Spires on Thurdsay 21 February 2008. Further details will appear soon on the concerts page of the site.

Festive Concert Great Success

The first outing of the season using the entire forces of the CBYO was a great success. The performance before a large crowd in Belfast's Waterfront Hall as part of Belfast Education and Library Board's Christmas Concert was well recieved.The programme featured music by Rossini,Saint -Saens, Von Suppe and Beethoven as well as combined orchestra and choir works by Edmund Walters. Congratulations to all involved.

Formal Date Announced

The annual CBYO and Concert band formal will be held on Friday 15 February 2008 in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel. Tickets will cost £31 per person and all profits made will go towards the Concert band's fundraising for their America Tour. Deposits of £10 per person should be paid at rehearsals on Saturday 10 November.

Congratulations

Many congratulations from all the staff and members of the CBYO go to David Sloan our principal cellist. It has been announced that David has been awarded the position of principal cello of The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

53rd season off to a terrific start!

Congratulations to all members who performed in the Chamber Concert in Parliament buildings on Saturday 20th October. This charity concert marked the launch of the 2007-08 season, the 53rd season of the CBYO and the third under the baton of Mr Paul McBride. Particular congratulations go to the soloists on the evening. Stephen Cullen(Violin), Ruth Nelson(Violin), Malachy Frame(Trumpet), Richard Blake(Trumpet) and to our guest soloist Eanna Monaghan (Bassoon). All recieved great a great reception from a capacity audience. Photographs of this event will soon be added to our gallery section.

Stormont Tickets

Due to the postal strike we have extended the deadline for returning booking forms for the Stormont Concert until Friday 12 October.

Visit to Ulster Orchestra Concert 5/10/07

All CBYO members should meet just inside the front door of the Waterfront Hall at 7.10pm where they will be issued with their concert ticket. Please remember to bring ticket money with you if you have not already paid.

Ulster Orchestra Principal Conductor to work with CBYO

Kenneth Montgomery, Principal conductor of the Ulster Orchestra is to work with the CBYO later this year it has been announced. Mr Montgomery has kindly agreed to visit and rehearse the CBYO on Saturday 24th November. Commenting on this announcement Paul McBride, conductor of the CBYO said that "he was delighted that Mr Montgomery had accepted the invitiation to rehearse the CBYO, and that he looked forward to the substantial benefits to be gained by everyone from his wealth of musical knowledge and experience."

Ticket Details Announced for Stomont Concert

Ticket details for the concert in the Great Hall of Parliament Buildings on Saturday 20th October have been announced. The concert which will feature the Eanna Monaghan with the CBYO Chamber Orchestra is being hosted by MLA's Nigel Dodds and Alban Maginess, and is a charity event in aid of the CBSM Student's Fund. Tickets (which must be purchased in advance and are limited in number) will cost £20 and include a pre concert reception. Commenting on the announcement CBYO manager Robert Briscoe said that, " the CBSM Student's Fund has assisted many memebrs of the CBYO over the past year, and we are delighted to be able to use the first concert of this season as a way of showing our appreciation. The Orchestra would also like to thank Mr Dodds and Mr Maginness for the opportuinty of performing in such splendid surroundings." Further details of tickets can be found in the concerts section of the Website.

Change to Rehearsal Schedule

All Orchestra members and staff please note there will now be No Rehearsal on Saturday 27th October. This means that there will be a 2 week half term holiday. Some members of the String section will however, be required to visit the CBSM String Orchestra on the morning of 27th October as part of the link scheme with this group.

Friends AGM and Open Morning

The AGM of the Friends of the CBYO will take place on Saturday 6th October at 11am in Castle High School. This short meeting will be followed by an opportunity for parents to watch the Orchestra rehearse and meet with the conductor and Orchestra staff. The Friends provide vital support to the Orchestra accross the year and they would appreciate the attendance of as many parents as possible for this meeting.

Guest Soloist Announced for First Concert of Season

The first concert of the 2007-08 season will see a former member of the Orchestra returning as guest soloist. Eanna Monaghan will perform the Weber Bassoon Concerto with a CBYO Chamber Orchestra on Saturday 20 October in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Eanna has recently graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, and is now undertaking postgraduate study at the Royal Academy of Music in London as well as furthering his studies in Italy. Commenting on the announcement conductor Paul McBride said, "he was delighted to welcome Eanna back to the CBYO and believed that both orchestra members and the audience would be impressed by his considerable talent and musicianship." Further programme details and ticket information for this concert will appear on the concerts page soon.

Extra Rehearsals Announced - Note to all Members

Due to the extraordinary nature of the Stormont Concert extra rehearsals will be required in order to rehearse the Chamber Orchestra. These will take place every Saturday after the main CBYO rehearsal from 12-15pm to 1-15pm and will run from Saturday 15 September to Saturday 20 October. Please note that these will only involve those members who will perform in the Chamber Orchestra. Membership of this Orchestra will be announced on Saturday 8 September and if selected to play in this ensemble, you will be expected to attend all of the above rehearsals.

Website Updated!

Details of the membership of the orchestra along with the rehearsal schedule and calendar of concerts / events for 2007-08 are now available on this site. Please see the relevant pages and keep checking for further updates. Please note that details of the leader of the orchestra will be announced in September.

12 Fantastic Days and Nights 

The Concert Tour of Spain was an amazing success with five remarkable performances given in Madrid, La Granja, Cullera, Utiel and Balaguer. Commenting on the tour, Head of Music Services at the City of Belfast School of Music Dr Joe McKee OBE said “All in all, this was a memorable trip. We have an outstanding Youth Orchestra whose members are more than worthy ambassadors of the Belfast Music Service, the city and the province.” Orchestra manager Robert Briscoe added, “A huge thanks and congratulations goes to all involved in the tour be they students, staff , nurse, drivers or parents. Now where can we go next ????” For further reports and tour photographs please see the relevant page on the website.

Ulster Youth Orchestra Concerts

The Ulster Youth Orchestra will present two concerts in Londonderry and Belfast on 16 / 17 August. A considerable number of CBYO members are participating in UYO this year and would value your support at these concerts. Further details of the concerts and ticket prices can be found on the UYO website which can be accessed via the links page.

Photographs on site at last!

Please check out our gallery page and tour page to see long awaited photographs of the orchestra at work and play! If you haveany photographs which you would like to add no matter how old then please email them to Robert Briscoe via the contact page of this site. We would particularly like any photographs from previous years and tours.

Link with junior group announced for new season

The CBYO is to renew its link again with the CBSM String Orchestra for the 2007-08 Season. We hope to build upon the successes of 2 seasons ago with combined rehearsals and events throughout the year.