Welcome

WSSO Trust is a Registered Charity which provides professional training and performance opportunities for school musicians throughout the West of Scotland.

Since 1996, Strathclyde University has provided facilities and management for the West of Scotland Schools Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band on behalf of the 12 local authorities of the former Strathclyde Region.

This new website provides information and access to WSSSO and WSSCB.

Music is alive and well in schools in the West of Scotland and WSSSO and WSSCB seek to enhance this by allowing some of the most talented school students from each of the 12 Local Authorities to meet and rehearse with other musicians, helping to raise standards and perform what is really very challenging music.

Our tutors are dedicated professionals and many are current or former members of professional orchestras and ensembles. Conductors, James Lowe (RSNO associate conductor) and Nigel Boddice MBE, work closely with students and staff to achieve the highest possible levels of musicianship.

Please take a look around our new site and feel free to contact us if you've any queries or suggestions.

Best wishes,

Derek Hart

General Manager, WSSO Trust

Having taken the first steps to found the WSSSO and WSSCB on a driech snowy day in late 1995, it seems to me remarkable that the WSSSO and WSSCB are now ten years old. The first concert was in December 1996 and the first courses in June 1997. In the past ten years, more than one thousand young musicians from all over the West of Scotland have taken part. Competition for places is now significant and the standard of performance continues to rise thanks to the commitment of the members themselves and the music staff and conductors. I look forward to more of the large scale spectacular music making that only full orchestras and concert bands can provide in 2008 and for the following years.

Prof. Colin Suckling OBE,

Chairman

In Association with West of Scotland Schools and Local Authorities

Chairman: Professor C J Suckling OBE                                 General Manager: Derek Hart