Description

Admin History:

In April 1952 the Hull Junior Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Miss Elizabeth Curtis, a peripatetic music instructor and teacher at Beverley Grammar School. The Orchestra had it roots in a music club started by Miss Curtis at Beverley Grammar School. Recognizing the valuable experience that young musicians could gain by playing in a professionally arranged orchestra, Miss Curtis established the 'Junior Phil' as a way of training young musicians in Hull for a professional career in music.

Since 1952 the Junior Phil has operated as a satellite organisation of the main Hull Philharmonic Society. Through this relationship some of the most talented young musicians have been given the chance to play with the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra in its season concerts held at City Hall. Members of the Junior Phil have also provided their services as programme sellers at these concerts and on a number of occasions the two orchestras have played together at charity concerts. The Junior Phil is also affiliated to the National Association of Youth Orchestras and is one of the oldest fully independent youth orchestras in the country.

The Junior Phil has undertaken many concerts and musical engagements since its establishment. A regular feature of the calendar has been the annual Hull and Hornsea Musical Festivals. Generously, Miss Curtis was often known to pay the entrance fees of talented individuals from the orchestra. She also kindly donated a trophy to the Hull Musical Festival Committee in the 1960s for use in the Orchestral Section prizes. Other regular features include an annual charity concert, with proceeds from ticket sales going to designated local charities and groups, and a 'Music for a Summer Evening' concert. Usual venues included Hymers College and the New Theatre in Hull. However, other venues including churches and the Floral Hall in Hornsea played host to seasonal concerts such as harvest festivals and carol services. In the 1970s concerts were also given at Everthorpe Prison for the benefit of the inmates.

On a number of occasions the orchestra has both entertained and been the guest of various European youth orchestras. Gavle Musiksikolan Swedish Youth Orchestra played host to the Junior Phil in 1972 after they had been guests in Hull the previous year. Rotterdam Youth Symphonic Orchestra at Lyons Hall in 23 Sep 1977, Assens Church Boys Choir in Jul 1980, and Hague Youth Symphony Orchestra in Sep 1989 were also guests of the Junior Phil. From the 1990s the orchestra often undertook 'Easter Tours' including those to Northern France in 1995, Prague in 1997, Dublin in 2000, Italy in 2002, Barcelona in 2006 and Prague again in 2007. During these tours the orchestra would play an number of concerts as hosts of various youth orchestras and musical associations.

In addition to the full orchestra concerts, smaller chamber orchestra concerts have been given regularly in the local area at events such as City Council civic occasions at the Guildhall. Chamber orchestra concerts were also often given at Hull High School for Girls in conjunction with the school's choir. Furthermore, individual members have been invited to play with various other orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. As well as the main and chamber orchestras, the Peter Pan Orchestra was also established in the 1950s. This was an orchestra for younger musicians, not yet old enough or experienced enough to join the main youth orchestra. The intention behind it was to provide a way of giving these children further experience and practice to ensure their musical skills progressed. This was a precursor to the development of the Saturday Morning Music School in the 1960s.

Over the years the orchestra has had a number of patrons including the Grand Patron Ruth Railton, Director of the National Youth Orchestra, and Burton Constable Hall, invited to become honorary patron in April 1968. Miss Curtis was a good friend of both Ruth Railton and Richard Baker of the BBC, both of whom were loyal supporters. Conductors have included David Scotney and Andrew Penny, both of whom went on to conduct and direct the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Junior Phil has expreienced a number of significant occasions over years since its establishment. In 1956 the orchestra was registered as a recognised youth organisation by Hull City Education Committee, whilst in 1963 a new constitution was developed. On 12 May 1973 a concert was held at Guildhall to mark the presentation of a portrait of Miss Curtis painted by William Jewitt. The portrait was given in recognition of her contribution to young people and music in Hull following her death in 1972. Every year a birthday retreat to Rise Hall in North Yorkshire was held to mark the anniversary of the orchestra, with special celebrations held on the occasion of its 21st birthday in 1973. On this occasion a book giving the history of the orchestra was commissioned titled 'The Story of the Hull Junior Philharmonic Orchestra', which was written by Clara Jewitt. In 1984 a section of the orchestra was asked to play at the Guildhall on the occasion of a visit by Princess Alexandra. In 1998 a change of name was effected and the organisation has since been known as Hull Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. At this time the insignia was updated to incorporate the change and this lead to the redesign of fabric crests and pin badges originally issued to members in 1965.

Over half a century on the orchestra still thrives today with the same spirit and enthusiasm initially demonstrated by its enigmatic founder.

Description:

Contains the following records series relating to the Hull Junior Philharmonic Orchestra: Annual Files of the Hull Junior Philharmonic Orchestra, 1953-2007 [C DSPJ/1]; Correspondence Files of the Hull Junior Philharmonic Orchestra, 1950s-1970s [C DSPJ/2]; Attendance and Membership Registers, 1960-1971 [C DSPJ/3]; Audio Recordings of the Hull Junior Philharmonic Orchestra, 1963 [C DSPJ/4]; Files of Elizabeth Curtis, Founder of the Hull Junior Philharmonic Orchestra [C DSPJ/5]; Photographs of the Hull Junior Philharmonic Orchestra [C DSPJ/6]; Artefacts, c.1965-1998 [C DSPJ/7]. Please note that minutes and officers' files such as those of the president, secretary and music director are not present, and that this appears to be largely papers collated by the founder Miss Elizabeth Curtis.