John Catlow's career change (aged 40) from Orchestral Musician to Secondary School Head of Music was the catalyst that led to his involvement with Youth Orchestras and Choral Conducting. Here are some of his thoughts on the subject.

"During the 1980s the world of music education was dominated by a certain kind of populism - "Today's kids won't wear classical music. You must meet them on their own ground" - etc. If you ran a series of pop groups you were doing far better than if you ran a symphony orchestra. This sort of approach was quite hopeless for me. I was naturally at home with an orchestra, as I had spent 20 years in that environment. I felt that you could present pupils with the challenge of classical music, with a particular focus on instrumental ensemble and orchestra."

"In 1992, after the disbanding of the Inner London Education Authority, it fell to the London boroughs to provide their own music service. I was invited by Peter West, the borough music advisor, to found a youth orchestra for Camden Borough. From modest beginnings the orchestra has become a well established ensemble which has regularly appeared at the Royal Albert Hall, The Barbican Church of St Giles and other central London venues.

For the last three years the orchestra has attended a residential course. In July 2007 the orchestra took part in a festival of English Schools in the Black Forest, Germany."

http://www.camden.gov.uk/print/ccm/content/education/services
-for-children-and-parents/camden-music-service/ensembles

2008 activities

Farewell to Camden Youth Orchestra 2010