The Bournemouth Symphony Youth Choir started life in 1997 as the Dorset Youth Choir, as the result of a joint project between the Dorset Music Service, the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The project was launched with two major choral workshops for schools led by Neville Creed, the Choral Director of the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus at the time. Following an audition process regular rehearsals began in September 1997. The choir’s first public appearance was at the annual Christmas Carol concert with the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. They have since then sung many times with the Bournemouth Orchestras and the Chorus. Among the works performed have been concert performances of Tosca, Britten’s Spring Symphony under Richard Hickox, family Adventure Concerts, and several performances of Orff’s Carmina Burana, one of which, in 1999, was with the Malcolm Sargent Festival Choir. The chorus has also given concerts with the Dorset Youth Orchestra, including Holst’s Planets suite and Vivaldi’s Gloria, and, along with other Dorset County music groups, they took part in a special Millennium Celebration concert in the Royal Albert Hall at Easter 2000. They also give frequent concerts on their own locally to raise money for various charities.