York Light Orchestra was founded in 1947 under the name "York Orchestral Society'. It had only 14 members. Mr Hartley conducted, with Mr Popely as Leader and Mr Welch as Secretary. The aim of the Society was to stimulate the interest of young students both at concerts and in schools, with a p0rogramme of music to embrace classical, opera, ballet, light opera and the whole range of light classical music.
In October 1948 the name of the orchestra was changed to 'City of York Light Concert Orchestra', soon shortened to York Light Orchestra. The first performance was on 6 October 1948. By September 1949 numbers had grown to 42 members. York Light Orchestra accompanied local groups for many years, including Clifton Hospital Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, New Earswick Dramatic and Operatic Society, York Operatic Society and Tadcaster Operatic Society.
The orchestra performed the first of its 'Encore' concerts as part of the City of York Mystery Plays and Festival of the Arts at St George's Hall in June and July 1969. Regular 'Encore' concerts at the Tempest Anderson Hall, sponsored by the York Corporation Entertainments Committee, continued until 1980.
York Light Orchestra moved to its current home at Acomb Methodist Church in 1994 and embraced the 21st century with the launch of its website in 2004.
York Light Orchestra is rare in being one of only a few 'light orchestras' still existing today and joined the Light Music Society in October 2005 to help in the promotion and preservation of this type of orchestra. The principles of music making for all ages and charitable fundraising for the community are still at the heart of the orchestra,. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or join our 'Friends of YLO' mailing list for details of future events.
