Touring is a transformational experience our students look forward to for years. Students experience a new culture and foods, see how orchestras work in another part of the world, and share time with friends who share a passion for music, away from the stresses of daily lives, with some independence to explore, as well. Many alumni remember it as their defining experience with the organization.
Touring is a deeply ingrained tradition at DCYOP. The organization has toured 23 countries, including Japan, Italy, Chile, Colombia, South Africa, and Spain.
In June 2022, DCYOP’s Youth Orchestra, our most advanced ensemble, traveled to Seville, Spain, spent a day in Córdoba, and visited the Alhambra, performed in Lisbon, Portugal and Málaga and Torremolinos, Spain, rehearsed, took masterclasses, and performed with Orquesta ProMusica.
Touring is such an exciting element of being in a youth orchestra and it brings so many dividends to our students. The trips are such bonding moments, they’re moments that reveal what we’re capable of being with each other. We are very excited to experience the beauty, culture, and musical traditions of South Africa.
I got to work with a Spanish bassist. He was telling me how they call the notes and the measures are called something different. But we were still able to create something together. For the first time I got to experience that music really is a universal language and it doesn’t matter whoever anyone is, it’s just about the music. It was a really special experience.
