The Grand Union Youth Orchestra

Musicians

Members of the Grand Union Youth Orchestra range in age from about 14-25, and play a broad range of instruments for many cultures.

Our Young Musicians

Regular GUYO members range in age from 14 to 25. Their (or their families’) countries of origin include Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Italy, India, Bangladesh, the Caribbean, South Africa, East Africa and China as well as East End born and bred.

The range of instruments they play is equally wide, so in a typical Grand Union Youth Orchestra performance you are likely to hear:

saz, ney, oud, sitar, sarangi, Indian violin, tabla, dholak, dhol, panpipes steel pan, marimba. vibraphone, concert harp, violin, cello, double bass flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, harmonium guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, congas, djembe, Latin percussion, kit drums

…though not all may appear at every event!

Testimonials

Gunes Cerit

Gunes Cerit

I’m Gunes, and I was born in Turkey. I’ve been singing since I was.......

Haydn Newland

Haydn Newland

I started to play the piano when I was 6, and the cello when I was 10. After pestering my parents loads, they bought me a harp....

Iona - Flute and Saxophone

Iona - Flute and Saxophone

I love playing in the Grand Union Youth Orchestar. It has given me opportunities to work with brilliant musicians and to play at fantastic venues, like Hackney Empire, and on the main stage at summer festivals....

Jonathan Andre

Jonathan Andre

I was born and raised in London though my family origins are from the West Indies. I've been singing all my life and studied.........

Ketan Kerai

Ketan Kerai

My name is Ketan Kerai, I’ve been learning Indian Classical Music on the Sarangi for 3 years under the guidance of Shri Surjit Singh. I also perform on the Dhol, which...

Latest news

Music Education UK tell the story behind Grand Union’s The Golden Highway show

In the winter edition of Music Education UK, Grand Union featured in a wonderfully comprehensive article on The Golden Highway, a show that celebrated London 2012.

Congratulations to Alex and Callum for achieving their Bronze Arts Award!

A huge well done to Alex and Callum who are the first of GUYO to achieve their Bronze Arts Award!

Recent recruit Anni Movsisyan talks about her time so far as a GUYO member

Anni Movsisyan, a violin and accordion player, joined GUYO earlier this year. She reflects on her experience so far with GUYO and discusses her first time playing at the Hackney Empire Theatre alongside the Grand Union Orchestra in July.

Get involved

If you're a young musician living in East London, and like jazz/world music, come along and get involved!

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