Music for Youth is a national youth charity working to provide young people across the UK with free, life-changing performance and progression opportunities, regardless of background or musical style.
These concerts showcase musical excellence in all genres from across the United Kingdom. The 72 members of CBYO will be representing Northern Ireland and showcasing EA Music Service at a National level.
The orchestra was chosen to participate due to the exceptional standard of its performances and as recognition of the innovation it showed in developing and leading an online programme of rehearsals and events, as well as providing support to students and orchestra staff during lockdowns.
Paul McBride, Conductor of CBYO said:
“I think of two things when preparing to conduct the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra at the world-renowned Royal Albert Hall. The first is, I am so proud of our youth who have not only continued to find new ways of achieving whilst negotiating the pandemic but have encouraged us all to renew ourselves in pursuit of even higher levels of excellence.
“My second thought is that our achievements of being selected, yet again, to perform at the Royal Albert Hall are made even more impressive as we have experienced so many barriers, financially and other, which could have threatened our survival. To this end I take my hat off to our staff team - tutors and manager, the parents and especially our very fine young musicians.”
Darren Canmore, Head of EA Music Service, congratulated CBYO members on being offered this opportunity to showcase their skills. He said:
“Members of City of Belfast Youth Orchestra and orchestra staff have worked tirelessly to find innovative ways to continue to practice and perform throughout the last two years, despite continued disruption due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“This invitation is testament to their skills and their commitment to music and youth orchestra. This event will give City of Belfast Youth Orchestra members the opportunity to showcase their expertise to the rest of the UK and allow them to meet and engage with a diverse community of musical performers.
“City of Belfast Youth orchestra members and staff should be very proud of this achievement.”