A NORTH Yorkshire based charitable orchestra is having to move online for the summer.

For over 25 years, Vacation Chamber Orchestras have been one of the UK's leading residential chamber music course providers. In more normal times, they hold a number of annual seasonal courses for grade eight standard sixth-form, undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 16-24. These usually include an end of course concert.

This summer VaCO will break new ground by transferring online in order to give students the opportunity to continue their creative music-making in a range of activities during this difficult period.

They are offering students the chance to take part on a course comprising of two individual lessons, instrumental classes, webinars with leading artists, pre-audition workshops, CV preparation clinics, Q&A sessions and professional development talks.

Spokesman Josh Hall said: “We're proud to say that VaCO has continued its tradition in offering affordable courses accessible to all and we hope that you'll consider joining us for what will be an inspiring week.

“The past few months have been difficult for musical institutions and students across the globe but we are thrilled to have secured some world class tutors to share their expertise with the next generation of musicians.”

Tutors include: Emma McGrath (concertmaster of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra), Jon Thorne (member of the Badke Quartet & Oculi Ensemble), Tim Lowe (guest principal cello with many of the UK’s leading orchestras), Amy Yule (principal flute of the Hallé Orchestra), Peter Dykes (associate principal oboe of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra), Anna Hashimoto (guest principal clarinet with many of the UK’s leading orchestras), Nikolaj Henriques (principal bassoon of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) and Nick Wolmark (principal horn of the Northern Ballet Sinfonia).

The course will run between August 24 and 28. Full details and biographies of tutors are available on the website.