We Are Passionate. We Are Committed. We Are Creative.

01

About Us
The West Coast Youth Orchestra (WCYO) is a culturally diverse non-profit organization, that provides Music Outreach & Development Programmes to the youth on the South African West Coast.

02

Our Mission
WCYO strives to cultivate a love for classical & orchestral music and to create a common ground for our students to learn the value of working together, share experiences while gaining confidence & character.

03

Our Philosophy
We strongly believe that any child should have the opportunity to join our programmes regardless of their background, ability or social economic status, because music education should be a right NOT a privilege.

04

Our Services
Our successful Music Education Outreach and Development Programmes include in- and after school music training on various instruments; Music Theory; Aural Training; Ensemble and Bands; Symphony Groups International Accredited Exams for Grades, Diplomas & Licentiates and Youth Choirs Training.

05

Our Commitment
We are committed to ensure that all our students are taught all genres of the music spectrum. Classical & Orchestra music must create a common ground for our students to learn the value of what it means to work together, share experiences while gaining confidence & character.

06

Our Passion
We are passionate about  creating opportunities for our student to showcase their diverse cultural & artistic South African heritage, by performing repertoires that combines classical instruments with traditional African instruments.

With the offices in Hopefield and the Orchestras based in Langebaan, we currently work with local institutions in five successful interlocking Music Education Outreach & Development Programmes, with projects running in Hopefield, Langebaan, Saldanha and Vredenburg.

What we do and how it benefits WCYO members

At the WCYO we cultivate a love for orchestral and group performances. From primary, junior to senior, through to university level to Youth Orchestras and various ensembles, we encourage all these participants also to develop a lifelong interest in all genres of music and to give musicians the opportunity to develop their full potential and perform comfortably in front of people.

We believe that these groups, including various ensembles, should be exposed to play all genres, participate regularly in public concerts as well as at schools, with choirs, other artists, community concerts and various tours and activities on a regular basis. They can showcase their diverse cultural and artistic South African heritage, by performing repertoires that combine classical instruments with traditional African instruments like marimbas, kalimbas and djembes, to create a new and vibrant sound.

Orchestra and selected ensemble members enjoy their weekly rehearsals: sectionals under the guidance of experienced musicians and orchestra players and tutti rehearsals led by our conductors.

Players often have the opportunity to take part in festivals, Eisteddfods, additional fun activities, camps, conducting, orchestra etiquette and other types of workshops, educational tours and master classes.

Classical and orchestral music is typically not part of their home lives and becomes a unique channel to create a common ground for our musicians to learn the value of what it means to work together, share experiences while gaining confidence and character.

All players have the opportunity to develop their orchestral musicianship skills, as well as their own solo technical and musical development beyond other students who do not have or use the opportunity to take part in making music in the Orchestral Programmes.

We make orchestra playing fun and without realising it, these players become a special family, caring about each other and end up as lifelong friends.

Click here for more information on how to support WCYO Programmes.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead