Frequently Asked Questions

Not at all! Players come from schools and home schooling all over Suffolk and North Essex, giving you the chance to meet and make friends from different areas.

For the Main Orchestra we usually expect you to have reached grade 5 for strings, grade 6 for wind instruments.

We wear our special CVYO polo shirts for quite a lot of concerts. The first polo shirt is free, and are usually available at most rehearsals from parent helpers.

At the moment, we are unable to run the residential weekends but if we do decide to run them again these are for members of the Main Orchestra. They are not compulsory, but we do strongly urge members to take part. In fact they are so enjoyable that very little urging is required!

Yes, they are often the highlight of the CVYO experience, and we run them every other year or so. Going on tour isn't a compulsory part of joining CVYO either.

There are various ways to become a member of one of the orchestras: you can attend the open rehearsal in September which is a chance for you try it out and see if you like it before joining. You will be given a membership pack including a form to fill with details of how much you need to pay to join for the year. If you miss the open rehearsal, it doesn't matter. You can come along to any other rehearsal during the year - you can complete an application form here.

Of course - Head to the Get Involved page to find the best person to talk to.

The Musical Directors receive a fee when they attend to conduct rehearsals and concerts. All other members of the support team work on a voluntary basis and receive no fees.

Adults who attend residential courses to provide legally required pastoral care are not asked to pay for their transport, board and lodging. Authorised expenditure on such items as stationery, refreshments for concerts and rehearsals etc are reimbursed. Travel and subsistence costs incurred in attending CVYO events are not reimbursed.