Washington DC Youth Orchestra to Tour South Africa in July 2026

thepressroomza

Jun 11

3 min read

The Washington, DC Youth Orchestra Program (DCYOP), one of the United States' leading youth music organisations, will embark on a South African tour this July, bringing a series of performances to Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Led by Artistic Director Evan Ross Solomon, the tour celebrates the power of music to connect young artists across cultures and communities. Audiences can expect a dynamic programme featuring celebrated orchestral works alongside compositions by emerging DCYOP composers, with special collaborative performances alongside the South African Youth Choir in Cape Town.

Founded in 1960, DCYOP has spent more than six decades providing exceptional music education and performance opportunities to young musicians across the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The organisation is internationally recognised for its commitment to artistic excellence, cultural exchange and youth development through music.

The South African tour forms part of DCYOP's longstanding tradition of international engagement, offering students the opportunity to perform abroad while building meaningful connections with local musical communities.

South Africa Tour Dates and Tickets

Pretoria

2 July 2026 | 19:00University of Pretoria, Aula

Tickets: To be announced

Johannesburg

5 July 2026 | 15:00Linder Auditorium

Tickets: R200 – R400Book here: https://qkt.io/DCYOLinder

Cape Town

7 July 2026 | 19:00St George's Cathedral

Featuring the South African Youth Choir

Tickets: R200Book here: https://qkt.io/DCYOStGeorges

Cape Town

8 July 2026 | 19:00Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre

Featuring the South African Youth Choir

Tickets: R200Book here: https://qkt.io/DCYOHugoLambrechts

Programme Highlights

Audiences in Pretoria and Johannesburg will experience a programme featuring works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Ballade in A Minor, Norman Dello Joio's Variations, Chaconne, and Finale and Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 8 in G Major. The programme also includes original compositions by DCYOP composers Raffie McEachin (The Primordial Orb Dances), Kalman Levitin (Chimera) and Artistic Director Evan Ross Solomon (Hematite).

The Cape Town performances will feature a collaborative presentation of Johannes Brahms' Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) with the South African Youth Choir, alongside works by Dello Joio, Dvořák, McEachin, Levitin and Solomon.

About DCYOP

Established in 1960 at the request of DC Public Schools, the Washington, DC Youth Orchestra Program has become one of America's most respected youth orchestra and music education organisations. Serving hundreds of students annually, the programme provides accessible ensemble-based music education to young musicians from diverse backgrounds.

Over the years, DCYOP has performed at prestigious venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has toured more than 20 countries. The organisation has worked with some of the world's most influential musicians and composers, including Aaron Copland, Yo-Yo Ma, Gustavo Dudamel and Mstislav Rostropovich.

Today, DCYOP continues to empower young people through music, nurturing artistic talent while developing leadership, confidence and collaboration skills that extend far beyond the concert stage.

About Evan Ross Solomon

Evan Ross Solomon serves as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of DCYOP, overseeing the organisation's artistic vision and performance activities. Since joining the programme in 2014, he has led performances at major venues across the United States and internationally.

A respected conductor, composer, educator and clarinetist, Solomon has built a reputation for inspiring young musicians while creating high-level performance experiences that enrich both participants and audiences alike.

About Classical Movements

Classical Movements is a leading concert tour company specialising in international performance experiences for orchestras and choirs. Since 1992, the organisation has facilitated cultural exchange through music in more than 147 countries, creating meaningful opportunities for artists and audiences around the world.