Ulster Youth Orchestra Summer Showcase Concert
Date: 15 August 2025
Venue: Guildhall, Guildhall Square, Derry-Londonderry, Londonderry, BT48 6DQ
The Ulster Youth Orchestra presents its Summer Showcase Concert on Friday 15th August when 95 talented young musicians will bring energetic, high quality live orchestral music to the stage.
The Ulster Youth Orchestra, Northern Ireland's award-winning national youth orchestra, is set to perform the first of its summer concerts in the Guildhall, Derry-Londonderry on 15th August.
The Ulster Youth Orchestra is regarded as one of the jewels in the crown of the local arts scene, with a reputation for excellence in all its performances. Established in 1993, the Ulster Youth Orchestra continues to flourish as the premier showcase youth orchestra in Northern Ireland.
Following rigorous competitive auditions, 94 talented young musicians have been selected to attend the annual summer course in preparation for two public concerts in Derry-Londonderry and Belfast. The young players will be coached by a team of highly experienced professional tutors during the intensive 10-day residential course at Greenmount Agricultural College, Antrim.
This year's programme begins with the cinematic Twelfth Symphony by Shostakovich. Titled The Year 1917, it was dedicated to the memory of Lenin and vividly depicts the tensions and violence just before the revolution, Lenin's hideout where he planned his campaign, the shelling of the Winter Palace in October 1917 and ends with The Dawn of Humanity as the new society emerged. A huge and powerful opener.
After the interval, a period of calm with Dvořák's Othello Overture which focuses on the dark side of romance as Othello's love for Desdemona turns to jealousy.
To conclude, the mood lightens with the popular Pictures at an Exhibition written by Mussorgsky and brilliantly orchestrated by Ravel. The visitor walks through the exhibition and the music brings each picture (of which there are ten) vividly to life.
Paula Klein, UYO General Manager, says:
"Every year generates a great sense of excitement as the course gets closer and we look forward to welcoming everyone, to working hard, having fun and to delivering high quality, sparkling performances. We are looking forward to welcoming back Michael Seal as our conductor and diving into this year's dramatic repertoire!"
The Ulster Youth Orchestra is grateful for the substantial funding it receives from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to support its work.
Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music and Opera, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added,
"The Ulster Youth Orchestra's summer concert series is an annual highlight in the musical calendar which serves to showcase the incredible training, development and work that this award-winning company do to support our finest young, classical musicians. Audiences can expect two evenings of tremendous classical music, and I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy!"