In 1962, three German young trombonists came to Cambridge to join the Holiday Orchestra, and the Cambridge-Heidelberg Youth Orchestra was born, later joined by the Conservatoire of the French city Montpellier to make it a tri-partite international exchange for music, friendship and culture.
The unique Cambridge-Heidelberg-Montpellier Youth Orchestra meets every summer in one of the cities involved, with 25 young players from each country. They stay in local families, rehearse for 8 or 9 days, and perform a concert conducted by the three musical directors from the three cities.
There are no auditions but the standard is high - most players are at least Grade 7, and many of Diploma standard, though younger players of at least good Grade 5 are encouraged to join.
Anyone living in the Cambridge area is eligible to apply, aged from 13 to 21, but their family must be willing to welcome at least one foreign guest when it comes to Cambridge's turn to be the host city.
The orchestra is a non-profit organisation run by a parent committee, working to County Council standards of safe guarding and excellence.
Interested in finding out more?
Contact Linda Fairbrother, the orchestra administrator
fairbrother.linda@googlemail.com
01223 300102
Or Matthew Gunn, the Musical Director
matthew.gunn@cambridgeshire.gov.uk