PERFORMER | EDUCATOR | ARTIST MANAGER
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA BRIDGES 2026
After the success of IYOB 2024, we have decided to organise another international tour for 2026!
Join International Youth Orchestra Bridges 2026
We are looking for young musicians from anywhere in the world to join our orchestra. The orchestra will tour the UK and France, performing at a total of nine venues. This is a fantastic opportunity to perform with some of the best young musicians in the world, experience new countries and form bonds with other performers.
Exceptional musical leadership
Our musical director is Alexander Walker, a man of exceptional talent and experience who will help the musicians to hone their skills and give their greatest performances. The string section will be rehearsed by renowned violinist and music educator Cathy Scott-Burt. Our brass section will be supported and coached by Nick Scott- Burt.
IYOB 2026 is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of the life of a professional musician, meet people from different countries and backgrounds and learn more about yourself too.
To join our orchestra, you must be:
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Between the ages of 11-18 years old 28th July 2026
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Able to perform at ABRSM Grade 7 or equivalent. If you don’t learn music within a grading system, feel free to send examples of the music you currently play, or recordings of your performance, to waverleyensemble@gmail.com
PRICE AND BURSARIES
The price of participation in IYOB 2026 is £2,000 per person. This includes transport on the tour as well as accommodation, venue hire and staffing costs. Please note that musicians will need to fund their own travel to the UK to start the tour, and home from France at the end of the tour.
Waverley Ensemble bursaries are available for young British musicians who cannot meet the cost. To apply for a bursary, please contact waverleyensemble@gmail.com
If you live outside the UK and you need help funding your place, we recommend looking into government grants or funding from arts organisations in your home country.
Travel and tour dates
The tour begins in the UK on 11th July 2026 and the last concert takes place in France on 28th July 2026.
July 11-15 rehearsals at Uppingham School
July 16th Concert Uppingham School
July 17th Concert Birmingham Conservatory
July 18th Coach to Glasgow
July 19th Free day
July 20th Concert Glasgow
July 21 Concert Manchester
July 22 Concert Cardiff
July 23 Concert London
July 24 Sight seeing in London/Travel to Paris
July 25 Concert Paris
July 26 Concert Bordeaux
July 27 Concert Issigeac
July 28 End of Tour
Our tour organiser is Laura Keene at Silverblue Tours.
Safeguarding
We take our safeguarding responsibilities seriously. Our safeguarding lead is Cathy Scott-Burt and you can read our safeguarding policy here.
Donate to IYOB 2026
We are fundraising hard to provide bursaries and book exceptional venues.
We are fundraising hard to provide bursaries and book exceptional venues. You can also visit our Facebook page for details of upcoming fundraising events.
If you would like to support the project, please click here to donate to IYOB 2026.
IYOB 2024
In case you missed it, here’s some of the coverage and photos of our South Africa tour in 2024!
International youth orchestra builds bridges in Stellenbosch - Bolander Lifestyle
You can meet some of our young musicians and hear them talking about their experiences here.
TOUR LEADERS
Tour Leaders: Ishani Bhoola, Alexander Walker (Musical Director) and Cathy Scott-Burt (designated safeguarding lead)
All Tour Leaders are DBS checked and are trained to Safeguarding Level 5.
