TODAY'S trip down memory lane should hopefully be music to your ears.

The pictures on these pages will hit the right note with members both past and present of the Colne Valley Youth Orchestra.

They show the group's trips to Sweden in the 1980s and 1990s and have been kindly shared by former music teacher Nigel Hildreth.

The Colne Valley Youth Orchestra was formed in 1981 when Mr Hildreth moved from Hedingham School to Stanway School.

Gazette: Sweden 1999

He decided there was a need for a local youth orchestra to serve the area.

Soon after the orchestra was formed, it was decided to take them on a tour, to Holland and then to Germany.

"A member of the orchestra had Swedish relatives so we were able to arrange a tour to Mora, in Sweden, stopping off at Mariestad on the way," said Mr Hildreth.

"We were able to do this because there was a direct ferry crossing from Harwich to Gothenburg and we had a youth hostel and local hospitality in a Bygdegard (village hall) near Mora.

Gazette: Sweden 1988

"We gave concerts in churches, the open air and in schools and the tours were so warmly received.

"They gave a rich experience of a different culture to the participants.”

The first tour to Sweden was in 1988 and the last in 1999.

The pictures on these pages are from four trips, in 1988, 1991, 1994 and 1999.

The orchestra played in Dalhalla (a concert venue in an old quarry), performing a specially-composed symphony written by Mr Hildreth and based on the stories of the first King of Sweden Gustav Vasa.

Gazette: Sweden 1999

"These tours abroad were some of the musical highlights of membership of the orchestra and many past members look back with fondness on those tours, especially to Sweden," added Mr Hildreth.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the youth orchestra and a reunion event is being planned on Saturday, September 18 at Firstsite, in Colchester.

Past members should get in touch via contact@cvyo.net for further details.

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