Saturday 2nd August 2025 saw a magnificent concert by the senior Nottingham Youth Orchestra in St Mary's in the Lace Market marking their return from a successful Festival tour of Provence. NYO showcased their end-of-season best and transported the audience to the lavender fields and sunshine of Provence in a programme of Saint-Saens, Verdi, Bizet, and Bruch featuring the sumptuous warm and silky tones of violin soloist Annabel Stevens, herself an NYO alumna.
NYO had travelled at the end of July to be part of the Provençal Festival of Youth Orchestras where they played alongside eight orchestras from Europe, Canada and the USA. They were greeted by full audiences at each of their concert venues: Collegiale Notre Dame des Anges l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Abbaye de Frigolet, Place de la Mairie at La Garde Freinet.
As well as beautiful churches NYO performed al fresco in the beautiful Place de la Marie in La Garde Freinet with a brilliant audience whose enthusiastic unison clapping resulted in an encore.
NYO's Tour Manager Andrea Hemmett said "We've had so many positive responses from audience members and the festival - it was great. And the thing the kids have said they enjoyed the most about tour was the concerts!" She added "The standard of playing by our senior orchestra in Provence was outstanding!"
All the audiences were wonderfully appreciative throughout the week and NYO received the following message from an audience member at one of the concerts... “Last Sunday we were privileged to be in the audience at your concert at the Abbaye de Frigolet. This was the highlight of our current visit to Provence. We are now ex choir singers and current orchestral players from Brighton. Having participated in music making for many years it is wonderful to see young people enjoying the experience at such a wonderful high standard! Their trip to Provence will stay in their memories for a long time. Many thanks”
Well done to all Nottingham Youth Orchestra's members for being such great company as well as super musicians on tour. To the Year 13 leavers NYO sends very best wishes for your future musical adventures!