Wind Bands

KentMusic currently has two County Youth Wind Bands:

• Kent Youth Wind Orchestra (KYWO)
• Kent Youth Symphonic Band (KYSB) 

Complete An Online Audition Application Form

Kent Youth Wind Orchestra

The Kent Youth Wind Orchestra was formed in 1976 with the aim of providing talented wind, brass and percussion players the opportunity to extend their performance skills at County level. KYWO has provided a concert platform for thousands of players over the years and has performed at numerous major concert venues in the United Kingdom and abroad. A high proportion of the members, after years of enjoyment and experience in KYWO, decide to continue their musical education at University and College using the experience gained in KYWO to aid them. Former players can be seen amongst professional orchestras in the UK and abroad as well as in broadcasting, teaching, lecturing, concert promotion and other music related professions.

Players are chosen from schools within Kent and range in age from thirteen to eighteen and are tutored by professional players/teachers. The ensemble averages 50 players and meets for three courses each academic year with concerts both in this country and abroad. As well as its own three concerts each season KYWO is regularly engaged to perform for other organisations including the National Trust, Transco, Sounds New, Round Table and Rotary Club. KYWO has had a number of concerts broadcast in this country by both radio and television including performances at the Royal Albert Hall on several occasions as part of the National Festival of Music for Youth.

Foreign tours have included tours to Kuala Lumpur to take part in Singapore's 25th Independence Celebrations (sponsored by the British Council), Belgium to represent Great Britain at the conference of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and South Africa to link with ensembles from varying backgrounds including black townships where music programmes are being developed. As well as the countries already mentioned the Wind Orchestra has had the privilege to represent Kent Music as well as Great Britain in Canada, America, Spain, Italy, former Yugoslavia, France, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Cyprus and Malta - an impressive list even by a professional orchestra's standards!

Kent Youth Symphonic Band

Kent Youth Symphonic Band creates opportunities for players of school age to perform at county level. It aims to extend musical skills, knowledge and understanding through intensive but enjoyable full and sectional rehearsals followed by a public concert.

How to apply:

Rehearsals are non-residential and held at Astley House in Maidstone over three days during the Autumn and Spring half terms. Your application is welcome if you are an accomplished school age wind band player who has achieved beyond Grade 5 or an equivalent standard in most instruments. Woodwind, especially flute and clarinet players, may need to have achieved a standard beyond Grade 6. There are no auditions, although bearing in mind the need to recruit a balanced band, acceptance depends upon the standard you have achieved and your experience to date. where two or more players of similar ability and experience are in competition for a place, the one not already a member of a county group (such as the Kent Schools Orchestra or Kent Youth Wind Orchestra) will be selected. A recommendation may also be sought from your instrumental teacher.

Application forms are available from our Maidstone office on request, please call 01622 358402.

Kent Youth Wind Orchestra