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The West of Scotland Schools Symphony Orchestra was established in 1996 following the break-up of the former Strathclyde Region.
With many of the best young players in the West of Scotland in the Orchestra, the WSSSO can give its members an unequalled experience and tackle the challenges of the big symphonic suites and grand symphonies of the 19th and 20th centuries. New and more recent music is not neglected however. We want members to enjoy both quantity and quality of sound! Taster Day This is an opportunity for members to meet before the main residential course in June. The aim is to rehearse and perform a programme of music in just one day! The emphasis is firmly on having fun, getting to know each other and getting a feel for the sound of the orchestra as players settle into the music. A huge success in 2006, we were privileged to have John Wallace OBE, Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, conducting. Residential Course at Carberry Tower
"The RSNO is pleased to lend its support to the talented young musicians of WSSSO." As well as a residential course, the WSSSO benefits from a partnership with the RSNO. In 2006, the RSNO kindly invited WSSSO members to a full day rehearsal in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow. The ‘side by side day offers the chance to play alongside some of the finest musicians in Scotland, learning as they share their experience, ability and talent. We are hugely indebted to all the RSNO members, and especially to those who join us as tutors during the residential week at Carberry.
He is a student of Jorma Panula, the Finnish professor credited with training an astonishing number of young conductors in major positions around the world. James’ studies of conducting have taken him to St. Petersburg, Moscow, London, Finland, Amsterdam, the US, Canada and the Czech Republic. For three summers he participated in the David Oistrakh Music Festival and Summer Academy in Pärnu, Estonia, with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and Neeme Järvi. Following the London Master Classes in 2001 with Benjamin Zander, he was subsequently was appointed Zander Conducting Fellow with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra for 2001-2002 season. Working closely with Mr. Zander he assisted with BPO performances including Mahler 9 in Carnegie Hall, additionally running an outreach project with young musicians to people who would otherwise have no access to great music. On his return from the US, Lowe was appointed Artistic Director of the New Bristol Sinfonia. In February 2002 Lowe was one of the three finalists in the BBC Young Conductors Competition giving a televised concert in the Bridgewater Hall with the BBC Philharmonic and Guy Johnston, following workshops with Jorma Panula, Yan-Pascal Tortellier and James MacMillan. In November 2003 he was one of the two prize-winners in the Tokyo International Competition for Conductors, conducting the New Japan Philharmonic. He returned to Japan in March 2004 where he made highly successful debut concerts with the Osaka and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestras. Lowe was appointed to the position of Associate Conductor with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in April 2004 National Association of Youth Orchestras Each year in August, WSSSO performs at NAYO’s Festival of British Youth Orchestras. These take place annually at the Edinburgh Festival in Central Halls, Edinburgh and at the RSAMD, Glasgow.
Having had the advantage of the Taster Day, RSNO rehearsal, residential course and an additional rehearsal, the orchestra is fresh, well prepared and ready to perform to the best of its ability. For many, these concerts are the musical highlight of the year and 2006 was no exception. The orchestra performed magnificently under conductor, James Lowe (images to follow) and the programme in 2006 was as challenging and exciting as ever.
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The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland,
number SC015263
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Since then, WSSSO has continued to provide professional training and performance opportunities to talented musicians from schools throughout the West of Scotland. 
James Lowe was born in Nottingham in 1976 and began his musical career with the viola at the age of 13, later studying privately with John White. In 1999 he graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a first class honours degree in music, having conducted all the University’s major ensembles, and winning the Keasby, Pitt-Watson and Cameron prizes for his contribution to music making, both in the University and in the community at large. 
From Shostakovich’s, ‘Festival Overture’ and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1 to a special commission by young Scottish composer and former leader of WSSSO, Martin Suckling, the range of musical styles was breathtaking and a packed house at the RSAMD Concert Hall, rose to a standing ovation at the finale. 