About Edinburgh Youth Orchestra

The Edinburgh Youth Orchestra (EYO) is a symphony orchestra of young musicians aged 13-21 from all over Scotland.

Under the guidance of an internationally renowned conductor and with a team of professional tutors, the main EYO course takes place over a full week each summer, immediately followed by concerts in major venues around Scotland. The orchestra has a long history of touring, both within the UK and further afield.

Recent conductors and soloists of the orchestra have included Donald Runnicles, Sian Edwards, En Shao, Garry Walker, Julian Bliss, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Jack Liebeck, Julian Lloyd Webber, Joanna MacGregor, Nicola Benedetti, Philip Higham, Jiaxin Lloyd Webber and Julian Scott.

On a typical EYO course the orchestra undergoes a combination of sectional and full orchestral rehearsals each day for a week before giving its end-of-course concerts.

In 2019, EYO was able to try out a new venture and offer the experience of playing in an orchestra, in many cases for the first time, to young people aged 11-18 completely free of charge thanks to generous sponsorship. Under the leadership of Lawrence Gill and Claire Docherty, this course was enjoyed by almost 100 young players from 40 different schools in Edinburgh, the Lothians and beyond.