Young musicians from across Devon have spent the summer performing on some of Europe’s most prestigious stages as part of a programme co-ordinated by the Devon Music Education Hub, led by Devon County Council.
International stages and acts of remembrance
Groups including the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra (DYJO), Devon Youth Wind Orchestra (DYWO), Devon Youth Choir and the Devon Youth Inspire Ensemble travelled to France and Belgium in recent weeks. The tours combined high-profile concerts with cultural exchange and, in one case, a formal act of remembrance.
A particular highlight was DYJO’s invitation to perform at the Vienne International Jazz Festival in France, a long-established event on the European jazz calendar. The festival’s programme this year featured saxophonist Emma Rawicz — a former DYJO member who grew up in North Devon and is now an internationally noted figure in contemporary jazz.
Meanwhile the Devon Youth Wind Orchestra performed in Belgium as part of the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial. The ensemble also laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Devon in a public act of remembrance for those who died in the First World War.
Tours in Brittany
Back in France, the Devon Youth Choir and the Devon Youth Inspire Ensemble toured Brittany, giving three concerts in the Saint-Malo area. Local audiences received the programmes warmly, and organisers say the trips were designed to foster musical collaboration and cultural understanding as well as to give young performers experience on international stages.
“These tours represent so much more than performances. They give young musicians the opportunity to raise their aspirations, build confidence, develop teamwork and experience new cultures through music. Performing on international stages and representing their communities is something that will stay
That comment was made by Lewis Gibbs, Head and Hub Lead for Devon Music Education Hub, who stressed the importance of international opportunities in broadening young people's horizons and building personal and musical skills.
Scope and local impact
Devon County Council’s supported hub provides ensemble opportunities for children and teenagers across the county. For many participants, the tours offered a rare chance to perform abroad and to act as cultural ambassadors for their communities.
- DYJO performed at the Vienne International Jazz Festival (France).
- DYWO took part in the Last Post Ceremony and laid a wreath at the Menin Gate (Belgium).
- Devon Youth Choir and Devon Youth Inspire Ensemble toured Saint-Malo (Brittany, France) with three concerts.
| Ensemble | Destination | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra (DYJO) | Vienne, France | Performance at Vienne International Jazz Festival |
| Devon Youth Wind Orchestra (DYWO) | Ypres/Belgium | Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate; wreath-laying |
| Devon Youth Choir & Devon Youth Inspire Ensemble | Saint-Malo, Brittany | Three concert tour |
The hub’s leaders underline that these experiences contribute to musical development as well as personal growth: participants gain confidence, strengthen teamwork skills and encounter different cultures — all of which can influence future pathways in education and employment.
For families and schools across Devon, the tours provided visible examples of what county-supported music education can achieve when given the resources and opportunities to operate on an international stage.
Devon Music Education Hub continues to run ensembles and outreach activity across the county; details of upcoming performances and how to get involved can be found via Devon County Council’s music education pages.
