News
Here are some of the latest News items surrounding the Nottingham Youth Orchestra!
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NYO string workshop - Sunday 24th January 2010
NYO string players were offered the opportunity to attend a woodwind workshop run by Rodger Cull.
Matt Bussey and Eva McGrath very kindly summarised their experience of the day:
"The day began with Rodger Cull taking a full string rehearsal focusing on a Mozart Divertimento and Elgar's Serenade for Strings.
We rehearsed throughout the morning with Rodger giving handy hints and taking us through how to make the best sound possible on our instruments. His suggestions included bow movement on the string, how high to place the bow with different degrees on the string for different occasions - eg. closer to the bridge for loud playing."
"After lunch we separated into sectionals so we could really familiarise ourselves with the pieces and perfect the harder passages! We then performed a mini-concert for family and friends, bringing together all we learnt and signalising the end of a very productive day."
Matt Bussey and Eva McGrath - NYO cellists
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Busking results Dec 2009
6TH EXHANGE ARCADE 186.21
11TH SAINSBURY'S 103.09
12TH EXCHANGE ARCADE 170.46
12TH EXCHANGE ARCADE 148.26
12TH CO-OP, WEST BRIDGFORD 117.11
13TH EXCHANGE ARCADE 166.00
16TH VICTORIA CENTRE 67.87
18TH SAINSBURY'S 194.31
19TH EXCHANGE ARCADE 100.66
20TH CO-OP, WEST BRIDGFORD 77.73
20TH EXCHANGE ARCADE 110.15
19TH JOHN LEWIS 100.00
TOTAL £1541.85
Thank you to the orchestra members who participated and to parents who got those who needed transport to the venues.
All of the bucket holding volunteers did a fantastic job. Thank you!
A big "Thank you" to those tutors who gave up their time to conduct, an essential ingredient for a successful busking session!
This year we once again had extra help with the organisation and I am very grateful to Michelle Fischer, Sue Pynegar, Wenna Thompson, Ann Clark, Liz Nathan, Jane Harwood, Claire and Peter Goode and Sue and Will Kinnear for their help in sorting the music, buckets and money.
Well done everyone.
Jenny Diprose
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The BBC films the orchestra
The Politics Show explored peripatetic music funding in the county and the fact that parents fund a great deal of their children's music provision.
Filming took place during the NYO rehearsal on Thursday 26th November 2009. Shown 29/11/09 BBC1
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NYO woodwind workshop - Sunday 17th May 2009
NYO woodwind players were offered the opportunity to attend a woodwind workshop run by the renowned flautist Laura Jellicoe and oboist Hugh Mckenna.
Ellie Thompson very kindly summarised her experience of the day.
"A woodwind workshop might not be everyone's ideal way of spending a Sunday, but I think all the players who attended the NYO woodwind day on May 17th with Laura Jellicoe, flute tutor for the National Youth Orchestra and Hugh McKenna, oboist from the Halle orchestra, really enjoyed it; I know that I learnt many things which have helped me improve my flute playing since then."
"Strangely, we started the day without using our instruments - Laura showed us the importance of breathing for woodwind players and we did some interesting exercises to help us with it. Next we took up our instruments and put our newfound breathing techniques into practise, before working on other areas such as tuning. After this we split into two groups for a master class session, the oboes and bassoons went with Hugh, and the flutes and clarinets stayed with Laura. Those of us who had brought some music to play were given some really helpful guidance with our pieces and it was a rare opportunity to listen to others in the different orchestras playing solo pieces."
"After lunch, we all joined together again to play an orchestral piece, before finishing the day playing different ensemble pieces. This was one of my favourite parts of the day, because we got to play some challenging but fun music with people that we might not otherwise get the chance to play with. Overall it was a great day and I would like to thank Laura Jellicoe and Hugh McKenna for giving up their time to provide us with such a useful and enjoyable experience."
Ellie Thompson - NYO flautist
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Cello workshop with Guy Johnston - Thursday 28th May 2009
NYO cellists were invited to a cello workshop with Guy Johnston on Thursday 28th May followed by a recital in the Southwell Minister on the evening of Friday 29th May. Thea Bainbridge very kindly summarised her experiance of the day:
"Being taught by Guy Johnston was an experience, which I feel privileged to have had. I feel that the cello section of the NYO will have greatly benefited from the input of such an esteemed player. Furthermore, the stylistic hints and tips that were on offer as well as the awe inspiring performances gave stimulation and desire to better ones own playing. I think I speak for the entire section when I say this. This was the first time the cellos have ever performed independently of the NYO orchestra. But, as a result of the overwhelming positive responses from the audience, and also the players, I am sure it would be an experience eagerly welcomed again. On behalf of the cellos of the NYO orchestra, I would like to thank both the organisers of this venture, and also the man himself, Guy Johnston. It truly was an experience not to have missed and one I hope shall be repeated in the future."
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A day with a Brass Inspiration
On Sunday 29th April we gathered together at 11am (those of us who had remembered the time change!) to welcome John Miller, head of brass at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and former lead trumpeter in the Philharmonia Orchestra, who was going to instruct us in a Brass Master class.
A very exclusive group of 8 players made the session even more individual and challenging as we lifted our instruments to play. However, as we began to tune up, John stopped us immediately and explained to us the importance of a proper warm up. 'You must warm up the instrument, your mouth, your entire body and your airways' which we then proceeded to do. It really focussed us.
The morning consisted of a Master class of valuable and intriguing tips that proved useful for both the trumpets and the trombones. Both Dan Walton (trumpet) and Toby Martin (trombone) performed pieces that they had prepared in advance and it was a pleasure to see their skill. After a well-earned lunch break we began to play some pieces, including a brass octet by Gabrieli, which was great fun.
At the end of the session, John had helped us all with our technique and for me it was a great chance to play with some of the experienced NYO players too. I for one certainly felt my game had been raised, just in a few hours.
Thank you for a great day John.
Chris Fischer - Trombone NYIO
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Global Weekender Music Festival
Straying away from the usual 'quartet gig' of weddings and receptions, 4 of our talented players joined together on October 3rd 2009 to perform in the Sandfield Centre as part of the Global Weekender music festival in Nottingham.
Being the first act on for the evening was no mean feat, but Alana, Alex, Braimah and Sheku rose excellently to the occasion. Playing a mixture of classical and more modern pieces they brought a real contrast to the eclectic mix of music that was a feature of the festival. Well done to them all.
Apparently, we are likely to be asked again next year, so watch this space for future dates.
More photo's ......
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Auditions 2009 - NYO, NYiO & NYtO
Auditions for 2009 were held at the Nottingham Boys' High School on Sunday 21st June 2009. All applicants will recieve written notification of their audition outcome by end of July 2009.
Over 100 musicians were auditioned in 2009 to either join or move up within our 3 orchestras. What was particularly pleasing was that we reached out to more people who had not been part of the orchestra before. Word is obviously getting around that the Nottingham Youth Orchestra is the place to be!
We are keen to encourage applications for 2010 from viola's (come on you violinists - how about giving it a try?) as well as the bassoon which is sadly often overlooked (what about it flautists/clarinettists - stand out from the crowd!) and trumpeters how about giving the horn a go?
