“The Irish Association of Youth Orchestras (IAYO), which was founded back in April 1994 by orchestras from Dublin, Donegal, Galway and Clare, represents more players than can be found in RTÉ [Symphony Orchestras] and the Army and Garda bands combined,” writes Michael Dervan in Saturday’s (2/1) Irish Times (Dublin). “By the time the IAYO launched its website in 2004 it had a mission statement that read: ‘The Irish Association of Youth Orchestras is the national support and resource organization for youth orchestras in Ireland. IAYO represents over 5,000 young musicians in 108 youth orchestras in Ireland and assists in the development of youth orchestras in all parts of the country.’… The IAYO’s flagship event is an annual Festival of Youth Orchestras, which sees young musicians take over the stage of the National Concert Hall.… This year’s afternoon slot features Dublin Youth Orchestra’s Junior Strings, Carlow Youth Orchestra, Athlone Youth Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, with the IAYO Festival Orchestra, Young Dublin Symphonia, Symphonic Waves Youth Orchestra and UCD Symphony Orchestra playing in the evening…. This year’s festival is the 25th…. Eight different orchestras are featured each year.”
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