Wydale Hall conference centre is an impressive old mansion, surrounded by wooded gardens. It is on the edge of the North York Moors, about 8 miles west of Scarborough, set in glorious rolling countryside. See photos and details at www.wydale.org.
This is about 2 hours by car from Leeds or by train to Scarborough then taxi. Please arrange car-sharing where you can.
The conference centre is booked exclusively for YLSS for the weekend, including plenty of large and small rooms for playing. There is a big lounge and comfy library, where coffee and tea are always available, and a dining room where all meals are served buffet-style.
Friday 23rd May to Sunday 25th May
This will be another friendly and relaxed music-making weekend. Our three inspiring and supportive tutors this year will be Laurence Hughes (cello), Ralph Dawson (violin), and Jo Claire, a new viola tutor for YLSS. They will cover all the sections for ‘late starters’ of any standard, however double bass players please note that there won't be a specialist bass tutor. Music will vary in style and difficulty, within the usual range of YLSS, but please come willing to be stretched!
The programme will include plenty of time playing as a full orchestra, as well as technique/sectional sessions. There will be the opportunity to play in chamber groups for beginners as well as for more experienced players. We will contact you before the weekend and organise groups and tutors in advance for everyone who would like to play in chamber groups. We're planning one or two different music activities on Saturday afternoon, or take time to explore local walks or to simply relax.
YLSS’s unmissable, unbeatable cabaret is back on Saturday evening! We will contact everyone in advance to invite you to take part, on your own or in a group, but no pressure we promise!
You are welcome to arrive from 3.30pm on Friday. There will be tea and cakes served at 4.00pm and the first orchestra session of the weekend starts on Friday at 5.00pm. Dinner is at 6.30pm, followed by another full orchestra session. The weekend finishes on Sunday at 4.30pm, following a playthrough.
Monday 26th May
One Composer:One Day - Vivaldi
By popular demand, we will be extending the weekend to the Bank Holiday Monday again in 2025. Monday can be booked as an extension to the weekend with an extra night's dinner, bed and breakfast; or as a 24hr stay with dinner bed and breakfast from Sunday evening; or as a stand-alone day from 10am to 5pm Monday. Lunch and refreshments on Monday are included for all participants.
Music for both the weekend and Monday is still being finalised by our tutors but it will all be made available in advance to everyone who has booked for you to download and print out at home.
There are up to 32 places available, in mainly single rooms*. All rooms** have en-suite WC, bath and/or shower. Towels are provided.
* Twin and double rooms are available if you are willing to share, please arrange a room-sharer yourself and save £30 each! (see booking form)
** Two rooms have individual bathrooms next door but not ensuite. These are available for weekend bookings only at a saving of £40 (see booking form).
All YLSS members and string-playing non-members are warmly welcome to the weekend. We regret that we cannot accommodate non-playing partners or friends in the group, except where their presence is needed to assist a player.
As Wydale is a rambling building, extended over the years, every room is different and most are accessed by stairs. Please note on the booking form if you require a ground floor room or few stairs, and also tell us about dietary or other access requirements.
Part 1: The Weekend
Friday to Sunday playing, accommodation on Friday and Saturday nights, inclusive of all meals and refreshments from Friday tea to Sunday lunch.
| YLSS MEMBERS | NON MEMBERS | |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Room: | £290 * | £315 |
| Single Room: | £320 * | £345 |
* A small number of places at reduced rate (£240 shared / £270 single) are available for YLSS members on a very limited income, who would not otherwise be able to come. Please see the booking form.
Part 2: Wydale Extra
Add the Bank Holiday Monday to your weekend booking or on its own, with or without Sunday night accommodation - the choice is yours!
| YLSS MEMBERS | NON MEMBERS | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday to Monday: Incl. dinner, bed & breakfast and lunch |
£115 | £115 |
| Monday only: Incl. lunch |
£50 | £50 |
- If you cancel your booking before 1st March 2025, you lose the deposit.
- If you cancel your booking after 1st March 2025, you lose the full charge UNLESS the weekend is fully booked AND we are able to fill your place.
- If for any reason the weekend is cancelled by YLSS, all payments made, including the deposit, will be refunded.
- Cancellation and / or instrument insurance is NOT included in the cost, please arrange your own cover should you need this.
Booking opens for everyone, members and non-members, from 1st January 2025. The weekend books up very quickly, so please book early!
- Places will be allocated to members from 1st January 2025 on a first-come-first-served basis, when your application and deposit have been received.
- Places will be allocated to non-members from 1st February 2025 based on date of application and the balance of instruments in the group. Non-members are encouraged to apply from 1st January, but places will not be allocated until 1st February.
- A waiting list will be held if there are more applications than places available.
- Violinists should be willing to play Violin 1 or Violin 2, as numbers/music requires.
To book your place, complete the online booking form and pay a non-refundable deposit of £50 (or £10 if booking for Monday only). The balance is payable in full by 1st March 2025. Please send full payment if you are booking after 1st March.
Your booking will be acknowledged and final details will be sent out in May.
If you have any queries about the weekend please contact Jenny: jenny@jennybrierley.com or Sue: susan.watts197@btinternet.com and we will be glad to help.
