Initial String Orchestra

For string players who have been learning for a year or more

Initial String Orchestra

Are you a budding string player ready to take the next step? Our new Initial String Orchestra is the perfect place to begin your ensemble journey! If you've been playing violin, viola, cello, or double bass for a year or more, come and join.

We'll focus on the fun basics of playing together, developing your listening skills, and creating beautiful music as a team.

Applications are open all year round. Our next concert is on May 28th, 7pm at Fountainhall Church at the Stocket.

Youth Ensembles

Our Youth Ensembles are attended by over 70 young musicians each week ranging from beginner through to advanced. Some of our Youth Orchestra players play with national orchestras such as NYOS and NYO, and they regularly join the main Aberdeen City Orchestra!

Team

  • Emma hails from Northern Ireland and is a recent graduate of the University of Aberdeen with a First Class Bachelor of Music Degree. Emma spent much time alongside her studies tutoring A-level music and music theory before her move to Aberdeen in 2019. She now teaches violin and viola and hopes to continue her education and pursue a PhD in the coming years. Emma is an avid choral singer and a member of the University Chapel and Chamber choirs, alongside the Cathedral choirs of St Machars and St Andrews. She also plays with the Aberdeen City Orchestra, among other groups.

  • Chris Gray is the Artistic Director of Scottish Opera’s Youth Company and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen. Chris has worked extensively throughout the UK and Europe as a conductor of youth and amateur ensembles.

  • Aden is a local musician and teacher and has been Chair of the Aberdeen City Orchestra since 2016. He is thrilled that ACO is able to provide these wonderful ensemble opportunities for young musicians in and around the Aberdeen area.

  • Experienced musicians from the Aberdeen City Orchestra, many of whom are instrumental teachers, attend weekly to support the Youth Ensemble, including our Chair and Youth Ensemble Coordinator, Aden Mazur.

    We are lucky to be supported by other highly experienced musicians and educators, including Natalie Kilgallen, Stephanie Colley, Lucy Webster, Tim Tricker, Laurie Rominger and Sam Paul.

Watch!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy two recent performances. The Youth Orchestra has grown from its inception as a string ensemble to a full symphony orchestra!

Our third concert since forming in 2022, the ACO Youth Ensemble performs Emilie Mayer Symphony No. 1 and Mozart's Don Giovanni Overture and Final Scene.

Performance 2, side-by-side with players of the Aberdeen City Orchestra, May 2023, Fountainhall Church at the Stocket.

Junior String Orchestra

Following the success of the Youth Orchestra, we are pleased to announce the launch of our new Junior String Orchestra.

Supported by local string teachers Emma Bell and Stephanie Colley, the young musicians will work on developing listening skills, team working skills, and confidence building, alongside preparing them for more advanced ensemble playing and having fun!

We have many other local musicians who are interested in providing support, so all we need now are some young people to sign up!

The Junior String Orchestra runs concurrently with the Youth Orchestra, meaning that when the time is right for a pupil to move up, they simply move next door!

ACO Junior String Orchestra in their debut performance, December 2023

Music from Harry Potter - John Williams
Don Quixote Rides Again - Robert Ramskill
Groovy Strings - Tony Osborne

The ACO Junior String orchestra was established in 2023 to provide a stepping stone to our Youth Ensemble (full orchestra). Like the Youth Orchestra, it rehearses every week, which we believe is really important in developing ensemble-playing skills. This is our debut performance, and what a journey it has been from their first meeting and initial sightreading through music to THIS. We are so impressed. Keep up the good work!