About FSYO
The Friends of Southampton Youth Orchestras (FSYO, or 'Friends') is a charitable organisation whose aim is the support the seven different ensembles that are part of the Southampton Youth Orchestras. These range from groups for young players gaining their first experience of orchestral playing, right up to one of the country's foremost youth orchestras. Most of the FSYO committee members are parents of current players. Musical directors are also represented.
The Friends support the orchestras in many ways, for example by providing some new instruments and music, and by giving financial support for tours, residential weekends and occasional specialist sectional support. This is in addition to the funding from the Southampton Music Services which pays for the orchestra conductors and rehearsal venues.
The 2009 AGM was held at Cantell School at 10am, Saturday 7th November. You can find details of the new Committee on the contacts page. This is the text of the Annual Report given by our Chairman, Sally Boxall:
2008-2008 was again a good year for the Southampton Youth Orchestras. The pyramid of 7 orchestras went from strength to strength with the children gaining in confidence and making some fantastic music. The Friends of Southampton Youth Orchestra’s aim is to support the children in their music making, by raising funds to supplement that which is provided by Southampton music services, and help by supporting concerts, refreshments, raffles and publicity.
The year started with the last AGM and a modest increase in committee members. We are very keen to recruit more willing volunteers, particularly those whose children are in the junior orchestras, to make sure that the Friends organisation is relevant to all the ensembles. We are losing some extremely valued and long serving committee members this year so are even more in need of new blood – but more of that later.
There have been some fantastic concerts this year. All the junior ensembles had Christmas and summer concerts with an amazing standard of playing and SYCS and SYS had very successful concerts at the TurnerSims and Thornden halls. SYO also had some fantastic concerts, including a very worth while collaboration with the Wessex Cancer Trust which raised money for both organisations.
Of course the highlight of the year for the Friends was, as always, the Pyramid spring concert at Central Hall. To see all the ensembles playing in the same concert is quite a moving experience, and the concert was a virtual sell-out and highly praised by dignitaries including the mayor.
Other fundraising endeavours have included a sponsored silent rehearsal of the Purcell orchestra. FSYO committee members also provide teas for a Bridge Club in Romsey 3 or 4 times a year, which provides a steady income and isn’t particularly onerous. Anyone willing to help with this – just let us know!
The orchestras have travelled both in England and Europe this year. SYS had their traditional excursion to Avon Tyrell in the New Forest, SYCS went to Edale in Yorkshire at February half term, and SYO went to Belgium, playing concerts in Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. Highlights included hearing the last post played at the Menin Gate and the chocolate museum – not forgetting the music and coming second only to the world youth choir in the Ghent festival!. FSYO have helped with banking facilities and financial and practical support for these tours which are so important for the ensembles.
We have been able to support the ensembles by providing new music, an amplifier, and other equipment.
I’d like to say thank you to all the hardworking members of the FSYO committee. Some committee members no longer have children in the ensembles and do it for the love of it – or because they are too nice to say no! However we are losing some of our most hard working committee members this year , in particular Ann Smith is ‘retiring‘ after years of sterling work. We will all miss her superb organisation skills and her ability to know everyone. Ann also makes the best brownies in the world! Joan Male is retiring from the committee after several years, prior to which she ran the SYS. Again we wish to thank Joan for all she has done to support children’s music in Southampton. Liz Morris is also moving on from the committee. We really do need more Committee members, particularly those with children in the more junior ensembles as we are keen to support these orchestras in any way we can.
I just want to mention a few other stalwarts of the FSYO committee - Linnet Evans has developed the website which goes from strength to strength, including an oldies reunited section. However we really need someone to help take this work forward and the take charge of the regular newsletter. Linnet has also completely revamped the FSYO music library which is maintained at Tauntons – and now looked after by Alan Holey.
Sue Wilkins has worked tirelessly as secretary and Richard Boardman as treasurer and I want to thank them both, along with the rest of the committee.
As always we want to thank Peter Gosney - he is a real behind the scenes boy and we really want to say a big thank you for all his hard work particularly driving all the big instruments and percussion to concert venues endlessly fetching and carrying all the instruments and carrying on when everyone else slopes off home! Pete drove the SYO instruments all the way to Belgium this year ably assisted by Mich Waldron.
There have been changes in the orchestras this year, we were delighted to wish Karen Hatton well in her recent wedding, but also had to say goodbye as she left SYS to concentrate on music in Hampshire. In her place we welcome Phil Batten as conductor.
On a sadder note we were very saddened to hear of the death of Valerie Rogers, who had supported the Holst orchestra for many years by playing the piano at rehearsals. We extend our sympathies to her family.
I think many of us are aware that times are hard at the moment and Southampton City Council is facing cut backs. Southampton Music Services are having to look carefully at how best to fund music for children of all ages in Southampton to provide them with the best opportunities. FSYO have a role to play in helping to lobby for the very best support for our children. We are pleased to welcome Alita Mills, who is the Head of Music Services at Southampton City Council and hope that music continues to be one of the jewels in the city council's crown.Sally Boxall - Chairman, FSYO
November 2009
Not all Musical Directors could be present due to rehearsal and other commitments. We hope to make their own reports available very soon.
You may also like to download a 2009-10 membership application form ( .pdf format). Membership is just £10 per year per family, or £40 for four years. You also have an opportunity, if you are a taxpayer, to allow us to reclaim gift aid.
"What do the Friends actually do?" was the title of an article in the Spring 2006 newsletter (.pdf format).
FSYO is a Registered Charity, no. 283789. We are always pleased to have offers of help for concerts and other events throughout the year.
last update: 19 November 2009