Biography
Swindon Young Musicians (SYM) is a company that has many different musical groups available in which children and young adults learn to play. These groups include concert bands, jazz bands, string bands, recorders, classical guitars, and a kindergarten group. Many of these groups have progressive stages of difficulty, ranging from junior through to senior bands. They are based at Churchfields School in Swindon, England.
The SYM Guitar Orchestra is one of the groups within SYM.
Included in the Orchestra is the SYM Guitar Ensemble, a small group of the best guitar players chosen from the Orchestra. They are conducted by Milly Philpin, who until her retirement, taught at Lawn Junior School in Swindon. They have been around for many years, with players constantly coming and going. Many of the members of the Orchestra were her pupils, many of them joining the SYM Junior Guitars in Year 3 (aged 6/7). They play classical guitars, not electric or acoustic, otherwise known as spanish guitars; they have wooden bodies with a sound hole and 6 nylon strings as opposed to steel strings.
Contrary to the name, they don't only play classical music. They also play more modern pieces that have been arranged for classical guitar. These include the James Bond theme, a few Beatles tracks, and various themes from films and there are also modern pieces that aren't famous themes.
The SYM Guitar Orchestra has toured with the SYM Recorder Orchestra on several occasions. The places they have toured together include Belgium, Italy, Austria, Spain and Germany.
In 2007, the SYM Guitar Orchestra toured alone around the island of Guernsey, Milly Philpin's birthplace. The tour was a huge success, with much praise from the public at the end of each concert.
Their tour of Guernsey was recorded and produced into a CD for purchase by the members and their families/friends. In 2009, their weekend workshop with composer Steve Marsh was also recorded and produced into a CD.
They intend to return to Guernsey in 2010 for another tour.
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