York Guildhall Orchestra are delighted to be working in partnership with the York Music Hub in giving opportunities for young players, located in and around York, to work with top professional soloists.
These workshops are not only an excellent opportunity for young people to learn directly from a professional performer to aid their progression but also provide invaluable experience of performing in front of others.
Young performers are invited to apply to participate - see below for more information.
The first workshop of 2026 season will mainly focus on the violin. It is open to individuals as well as groups of performers (e.g String Quartets). Participants are welcome and encouraged to bring their own accompanist if they can. If participants require a pianist to accompany them, they must inform us on their application form. The workshop is aimed at those with Grade 5 or above.
The workshop is open to friends, family and the general public. There is a charge of £5 for each audience member and is payable on the door. Each masterclass participant is entitled to two free tickets to the YGO Concert in May where Bradley will be playing the Max Bruch concerto with the orchestra.
Participants’ teachers, York Music Hub Approved Tutors and York Guildhall Orchestra Patrons and Sponsors can attend free of charge.
Date:
Sunday 15th March 2026
Time:
12.30pm for a 1.00pm start, finishing at 4.00pm.
Place:
The Recital Room (Drama Department) of St Peter's School, Bootham, York, - location 7 on the campus map.
Please visit the York Music Hub website for more details.
All students must apply through the York Music Hub application procedure and all applications must be in by 25th February 2026.
There is a charge of £25 for each masterclass participant which can be paid by cash or card on the door.
Participants eligible for Free School Meals, Pupil Premium and those who are Looked After may participate for free.
Places are limited and will be allocated by the York Music Hub. The Hub reserve the right to select those players/groups to whom a place will be offered. No correspondence will be entered into in respect of the allocation process.
The York Music Hub will notify the successful applicants shortly after the closing date if they have a place in the workshop.
Each participant will have a 25-30 minute session with the Workshop Tutor.
Bradley Creswick is an internationally acclaimed violinist. He was appointed leader and first violinist of the Royal Northern Sinfonia Orchestra (RNSO) in 1984 and three years later moved to London to lead the Philharmonia Orchestra, still retaining a relationship with the RNSO.
He later became leader of the orchestra at the Royal Opera House before returning to the North East and the RNSO in 1994, where over the years he played to packed concert halls and where his rendition of Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending was a highlight for music lovers. He retired from the RNSO in 2019 at the end of the orchestra’s 60th anniversary season and was bestowed the title of Leader Emeritus in honour of his remarkable career with them.
He continues to perform across the world although also enjoys performing in the community, including at his local church.
Bradley, who lives in Whitley Bay is known for his unique and energetic style and diverse repertoire. He was destined to entertain from an early age having accompanied his father, a circus and fairground performer, who also played the drums and his mother, a jazz singer around venues, including Butlins at Bognor Regis. He started playing the piano aged seven and the clarinet at 12, only later becoming interested in the violin. At the Royal College of Music, he studied both the violin and piano.
Bradley is regularly asked to guest lead a wide range of orchestras, and he loves to play with friends, giving recitals around the country. He has occasionally been heard playing western swing fiddle at Sage Gateshead’s annual Summer Tyne Americana Festival.
He was awarded the MBE in the 2021 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to Music.
