YOSA UK and Scotland Tour 2026
June 17-19, 2026
Arrival in London & visit to Stonehenge
YOSA’s England & Scotland Tour is officially underway!
After arriving and getting settled in London yesterday, students gathered for a welcome dinner to kick off an exciting week abroad.
Today brought one of the tour’s first major stops: a visit to Stonehenge. YOSA musicians had the opportunity to experience nearly 4,000 years of history and mystery. After visiting the site, musicians enjoyed some free time in Salisbury to explore before the next part of the tour.
June 19, 2026
First Concert
Friday evening was a big day for YOSA: our first international performance of the tour!
After a day of rehearsal and preparation, our musicians took the stage at Sinfonia Smith Square, sharing music with audiences in the heart of London. For many musicians, this performance represented a major milestone: performing internationally for the very first time!
Moments like these reflect months of rehearsal, dedication, and teamwork. We’re so proud of every musician!
June 19, 2026
London Tour
During a guided tour of London, musicians explored some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the changing of the guards.
Beyond the history and architecture, the day offered a chance for musicians to share new experiences with one another walking the streets of London, taking in the sights, and learning more about the culture and traditions of the United Kingdom.
June 20-21, 2026
Oxford & York
YOSA traded the busy streets of London for the historic cities of Oxford and York, continuing a journey of learning, and discovery.
In Oxford, students visited Christ Church and explored the university grounds, gaining a glimpse into one of the world’s most renowned centers of learning and culture.
The trip then continued to York, where students visited the iconic York Minster, one of the largest and most historically significant Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. From centuries-old academic traditions to breathtaking Gothic architecture, each stop added another memorable chapter to YOSA’s journey through England.
June 21, 2026
Concert 2 in Harrogate
YOSA musicians performed at the stunning St Wilfrid’s Church in Harrogate. The concert, presented as part of Harrogate Festivals featured a special opening performance by the Harrogate Ladies College Chapel Choir, followed by YOSA’s program of works by Holst, Copland, and more.
After the concert, students from both ensembles gathered to meet, share stories, and learn about each other’s lives as young musicians in Texas and England. Seeing their excitement and curiosity as they connected across cultures was a highlight of the evening
June 22-23, 2026
Scotland & Edinburgh Castle
Goodbye, England. Hello, Scotland!
As YOSA made its way north, musicians stopped at the border between England and Scotland for a little fun before officially crossing into the final chapter of the tour. The following day, YOSA explored Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle, where centuries of Scottish history came to life above the city skyline.
The visit marked YOSA’s last day of sightseeing and exploring together before taking the stage for the final concert of the tour.
June 24, 2026
Final Concert in Usher Hall
That’s a wrap on YOSA’s England & Scotland Tour!
Our final performance took place at the beautiful Usher Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland. The evening was extra special with a side-by-side performance and dinner with students from the Edinburgh Secondary Schools Orchestra (ESSO).
Over the past week and a half, our musicians have performed in remarkable venues, explored historic landmarks, experienced new cultures, made new friendships and life-long memories, and represented San Antonio with pride.
Now, there’s just one thing left to do: get back to Texas and find some breakfast tacos
