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....

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

IMPORTANT - Change of date for the first GUYO master class

The first GUYO master-class will now be on Sunday September 19th 2010 rather Sunday September 12th at the Premises Studios, Hackney Road.

From Carnival to Silk Road programme announced

From September until the end of March, Grand Union’s projects are being united under the banner From Silk Road to Carnival, exploring the trade routes than brought prosperity to Britain and the rest of Europe – but at social, and often moral cost. Read about the programme of work here.

Grand Union in Partnership with Emergency Exit Arts

From16th - 20th August Grand Union and Emergency Exit Arts will be based at Fairkytes Arts Centre in Romford to deliver a week of Carnival Workshops in the lead up to Romfest World Carnival at the end of September.

Get involved

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