The VaCO was formed in 1994 and led by Xenophon Kelsey MBE in response to gaps in the provision of orchestral training in universities and conservatoires.
Running holiday residential chamber orchestral courses for advanced young
musicians their holiday courses provide the perfect opportunity for the
participants to explore repertoire that isn't usually covered by Youth
Orchestras, some of which we will hear tonight. In the last few years the
orchestra has toured abroad to 12 different countries featuring students from
33 nationalities from aged 16. VaCO is committed to bringing live music to the
widest possible audience in rural areas. These performances take place in
churches and schools across the Pennines, Dales and the North York Moors.