The Bournemouth Symphony Youth Chorus (BSYC) celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2007. It started life as the Dorset Youth Choir and came under the direction of the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus (BSC) a couple of years ago. The BSYC is one of a handful of youth choruses in the country that are associated with a professional orchestra, which provides an exciting and rare opportunity for young people to sing with a full symphony orchestra. Occasionally this leads to other projects, for example, undertaking CD recordings for commercial labels such as Naxos. In addition to these joint projects with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), the chorus undertakes a number of other performances both in association with the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and alone. We occasionally get last minute invitations from a variety of organisations such as the Lighthouse, the Purbeck Film Festival and the BIC to provide entertainment before or during one of their events as well.

The current Musical Director is Elizabeth Nayler, a well-known local music teacher, a founding member of the Dorset Youth Choir and its Musical Director until 2006.

In the 2009-2010 season, the BSYC joined the BSC for carols at St. John's Church Boscombe as well as joining the BSO and BSC for a carol concert at the Lighthouse Poole. They sang some children's  songs by Lutoslawski at Kokoro's (the BSO's contemporary music ensemble) East Meets West concert in February. A free singing workshop for local school children took place under BSYC auspices, run by Liz Nayler and Paul Rissmann, the BSO's children's composer. Two successful Patrons', Friends' and Parents' concerts were held at St.Paul's Church Canford Heath and St. Edward's Church Corfe Castle.

In the 2010-11 season the Youth choir will be leading the children's section of Carmina Burana at the Big Sing at the Lighthouse Poole in September and joining once again with the BSO and BSC for carols at the Lighthouse Poole in December. In the Kokoro day in March, the BSYC will be performing in Britten's St Nicholas with the BSC at Wimborne Minster. Additional performances are under discussion. There is usually a concert for Patrons, friends and parents once a term.

In prospect, the BSYC are hoping to take part in the performance of a new work by Richard Blackford, especially commissioned by the BSC as part of their centenary celebrations, and possibly to take part in a recording of the work.

The BSYC currently rehearses on a Tuesday evening from 6 to 8pm at the Lighthouse Poole, on the same night as the BS adult chorus with whom it often performs. Singers are sometimes required for rehearsal on other nights and on occasion at weekends for concerts and rehearsals with other conductors.

There is an annual subscription charge, set at £60 in 2010-11 season, to help with administration and music costs, with reductions for those who join in the spring and summer terms. Help with subscriptions is available in cases of need and will be treated confidentially.

We generally ask potential singers to join in a rehearsal before they decide to join, during which the Musical Director will listen to your voice. This is not scary!

For more information about joining, go to www.bschorus.co.uk/bsycjoin.aspx. Please contact Sue Gosling Email: BSYC@bschorus.co.uk - and also download an audition form to fill in and bring with you when you come to your first rehearsal or audition.