The Palestine Youth Orchestra

The Palestine Youth Orchestra has a unique position amongst youth orchestras internationally. The group was established by the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in 2004 with the vision of bringing together talented students from all over Palestine and the Palestinian Diaspora.  Despite the daily obstacles they face, their drive and passion for music has entranced audiences in France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Greece, Oman, Syria, Bahrain and Lebanon. This summer the Palestine Youth Orchestra leaves the troubled olive groves of Palestine to tour Britain for the first time.

Following a critically acclaimed performance by a smaller ensemble of the PYO (the Palestine Strings) with Nigel Kennedy at the super prestigious BBC Proms in 2013, the PYO now embarks on its first ever UK Tour under the baton of Sian Edwards who is the Head of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music.

They will be performing at world-class venues across the UK culminating with a concert at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Set against a backdrop of international political turmoil, these young musicians are poised to bring a message of inspiration and humanity to the UK audiences.

Unable to rehearse together as an orchestra at home, the PYO will be meeting and rehearsing at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland between the 18th July-24th July 2016. They will be joined by the Palestinian singer Nai Barghouti, a rising star of Arabic music, and also several students from leading British Conservatoires.

The concert programme will include:

• Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3
• Arabic songs by Om Kolthoum and Fairuz sung by Nai Barghouti
• Graham Fitkin’s Metal - energy packed, pop inspired and suiting the PYO’s youthful musical vigour.
• Arabic improvisations in the PYO’s own trademark style
• Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, the majestic orchestration by Ravel. 

We love a uplifting and heartwarming story here at Small City headquarters and this fits the bill perfectly.  This fantastic orchestra will travel to the UK from over ten countries to embark on a six-city tour. During this tour they will showcase their incredible drive, passion for music, and resilience in the face of adversity.  This is all whilst carrying an important message of love, hope and peace.

The PYO 2016 Tour will open at Perth Concert Hall, 25 July MORE >>>