London Schools Symphony Orchestra

London, GB 🇬🇧

The London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO) is a youth orchestra whose members are young musicians living or studying in London. The students rehearse and perform with professional conductors and soloists. The LSSO was founded in 1951 by Dr Leslie Russell, Senior Music Inspector for the London County Council. From 1965 to 1990 it was part of the Inner London Education Authority’s (ILEA) music provision and since 1990 has been managed by the Centre for Young Musicians, which in turn is now a part of Guildhall Young Artists, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under 18 division. The LSSO is considered to be London's premier youth orchestra, giving three concerts annually in the Barbican Centre. Concerts are preceded by intense rehearsal periods during the school holidays. The summer course in July is usually followed by a tour in the UK or abroad with destinations having included Japan, the USA, Argentina, Romania, Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany Spain and Turkey. In the 70+ years of its life the LSSO has been associated with numerous outstanding conductors, composers and soloists, including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Colin Davis, Sir Malcolm Arnold, Sir Georg