NYO Inspire

Category: External, Music, News

On Sunday 22nd September, I took part in the NYO Inspire Day. NYO Inspire events provide an opportunity for young musicians to develop their ensemble playing skills, meet ambitious musicians from across the country, and work closely with actual NYO Musicians and Tutors in a friendly and creative environment. There were over 140 musicians aged 13-18 years old. The event took place in Sheffield. The repertoire for the day was The Noon Witch Op. 108 by Dvořák. The brass and percussion ensemble played additional pieces.

We started the day by gathering in the main hall and doing some physical exercises, followed by full sectionals. All the different sections in the orchestra split off into separate rooms to rehearse the piece in greater depth with a music tutor. In the woodwind section, there were nine flutists (including me), two piccolo players, eight oboists, two bass clarinetists and seven clarinetists. Before practising the piece, we did lots of ‘friendship’ exercises to get to know people, where they come from and their instrument. There were musicians from all over the UK, including Dorset and even Nothern Ireland!

Next, we had lunch where we could socialise with the instrumentalists more. Everyone was friendly and very approachable. After this, we had individual sectionals, where we practised in our individual instrument groups. We got to meet current NYO musicians playing in the orchestra and also got to know colleagues from our section even further.

Finally, all the sections reunited in the main hall for the ‘Tutti Rehearsal’ or full orchestra run-through. I was overjoyed when our Conductor turned out to be Jonathon Heyward, an internationally acclaimed conductor.  He is a very hard-working and passionate conductor and made our final performance sound astounding! It was a privilege to be conducted by him.

NYO Inspire Days are entirely free of charge. Applications are now open for Inspire Days for 2020.

Written by Minduli V, Year 9

See the video made by Th NYO here