Introduction

• Milapfest & our supporters
• The Samyo Organisation

What is Samyo
Samyo is the UK’s first national South Asian Music Youth Orchestra. Some of the UK’s brightest young musicians come together to play music from the North and South Indian musical traditions. Traditionally, Indian music presents a small ensemble of up to five or six musicians, but Samyo presents up to twenty young talents on stage playing together, in one of the most exciting spectacles on the British Arts scene. With members recruited nationally, the orchestra is fast becoming both prestigious and a fast track to artistic recognition.

Performances
Presenting specially commissioned and arranged pieces of music, Samyo’s unique blend of traditional and contemporary melodies captivated audiences on its debut tour in 2002. After successful concerts in the 2003/4 season, and the high profile National Tour 2004/5, which saw performances in Gateshead, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bedford and Ulverston, the orchestra embarked on a year-round programme of appearances around the UK in 2006. The year started off with performances in London and Manchester, followed by two exciting performances in Edinburgh & Glasgow during the summer. Samyo completed the year with performances at the British Museum and The Lowry.
Samyo’s repertoire covers traditional North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic) music styles, but also features pieces influenced by world music. Drawing on the expertise of a permanent Director of Music and world-renowed guest composers, Samyo has gained a reputation for exciting and dynamic music.

A unique artistic creation
Samyo is unique because it presents the diverse styles of Indian music together, performed by dynamic young performers, all of whom are born and brought up in the UK. Because of their ability to understand and play both Western and Indian Music, the orchestra is an exciting phenomenon that has never been seen or heard before!

The Samyo Vision
Samyo was created to provide an opportunity to the many talented musicians in our country to showcase their talents nationally. Samyo provides a platform for young musicians to perform to wide ranging audiences, gaining the exposure that can take them to new levels of achievement.