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History
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For almost half a century, eyo has had a tradition of ambitious music-making, including the performance of works by its Honorary Patron Mark-Anthony Turnage, collaborations with local schools and singers in semi-staged operas, and concerti with young soloists often drawn from within its own ranks.
eyo was founded in 1959 by John Railton, the Director of Music at Ealing Grammar School for Boys (pictured below, on the right). His vision was to provide opportunities and experience for gifted musicians from all the schools of the area. He remained the orchestra's conductor for 21 years.
The challenge of filling John Railton's shoes was undertaken first by Hilary Davan Whetton, Director of Music at St Paul's Girl's School who was conductor for a year and then by Stephen Block (pictured left).
The baton passed in 1984 to Mark Gooding who widened the orchestra's repertoire and in 1988 introduced the annual summer tour.
Mark Forkgen took over in 1999 and the orchestra continued to build its reputation of excellence, attracting young musicians from all over West London. In August 2006 Mark took up an appointment as Head of Music at Tonbridge School, and handed over to the present Musical Director, Leon Gee (pictured centre).
eyo has stayed true to Railton's vision by continuing to serve the interests of young musicians well during times of increased stringency in arts funding and cutbacks in music education. Many members have gone on to careers in music and have graduated to play with leading national and European orchestras.
One of the features of eyo which sets it apart from many other youth orchestras, is that it is independent and self-financed. This was not always the case, as until the early 1990s it was substantially funded by the London Borough of Ealing. As a result of a series of changes that began with the introduction of local management of schools, and the shift of responsibility for budgets from the local authority to schools this support eventually was withdrawn.
In 1996 the orchestra became a registered charity, number 1067041.
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