THE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRAS OF SCOTLAND
Winter - Spring 2011/12
www.nyos.co.uk www.nyos.co.uk
NYJOS Winners! The achievements of three outstanding NYJOS students have been recognised at prestigious awards ceremonies this summer:
Scottish Jazz Awards 2011
Up and Coming artist - Corrie Dick, Drums
Young Scottish Jazz Musician 2011 overall winner - Ruaridh Pattison, Saxophone under 17 category - Neil Paton, Drums
The prizes on offer for the overall winner included £1000 for career development, a session on BBC Radio Scotland’s The Jazz House, gigs at both the Glasgow and London Jazz Festivals, a professionally presented biography with PR photographs as well as a one-to-one master-class with Peter Ind provided by Yamaha Education. Ru has also received a rare endorsement from Rico Reeds. Listen to clips of all the talented finalists (who are incidentally all curent or former members of NYJOS) at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ b0124s7d
A SUMMER OF SUCCESS Rave Reviews! All three of our main orchestras enjoyed highly successful courses and UK tours this summer, ensuring the continued musical development of the 500+ young musicians with whom we work throughout the year. They received excellent reviews in the press... “...the astonishment lay in the second half, when the young NYOS musicians produced a rivetingly perceptive account of James MacMillan’s Third Symphony, subtitled Silence...” - Michael Tumelty, The Herald, 10 August “...NYJOS’s strengths lie in ensemble work, achieving admirable discipline and orchestral colour...” - Rob Adams, The Herald, 14 July Members of NYOS were filmed playing Elgar’s Nimrod in The King’s Hall, Worcester, which is to be broadcast this autumn on the BBC’s One Show. Their concert at the Three Choirs Festival was broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland’s Classics Unwrapped on Sunday 9 October.
“... NYOS is an artistic jewel in the music scene of Scotland and the United Kingdom...” Tecwyn Evans – Erster Kapellmeister, Grazer Oper, Austria
“a performance that went way beyond fabulous� Aberdeen University review
Sound Festival 2011 Conductor: Will Conway Peter Longworth Blueprint Ian Anderson Scenes from the Afterlives NYOS Futures will perform two exciting World Premieres by NYOS alumni as part of the Sound Festival and New Music Scotland Showcase and in conjunction with Woodend Music Society. NYOS Alumnus Joe Boyd (French Horn) will also perform music by Mozart, Strauss, Cherubini, Jacob and Downes 23 October, 4pm Woodend Barn, Banchory 01330 825431 Tickets: £11/£3 (Student/Child/Jobseekers)
“What a beautiful week! I’m still floating from it all!” (NYJOS Summer Tour Student)
“it was perfectly possible to imagine any number of this fast-maturing generation of Scottish jazz hopefuls walking into a senior orchestra or professional ensemble sometime soon” The Scotsman
London Jazz Festival 2011 Directors: Malcolm Edmonstone Andrew Bain
Soloists: Mike Walker (Guitar) Iain Dixon (Saxophone) Hot on the heels of their critically acclaimed UK summer tour, Scotland’s finest young jazz musicians are joined once again by the dream pairing of reedsman Iain Dixon and guitarist Mike Walker in their debut appearance at the internationally renowned London Jazz Festival. Expect to be transported from the rooftops of Rio to hard hitting contemporary New York jazz via Steely Dan whilst remaining firmly rooted in the jazz tradition. 20 November, 3pm Barbican Freestage (Level 0) 0207 6388891 FREE
“...bags of panache...youthful exuberance...” The Herald
BBC Cultural Olympiad The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Chief Conductor Donald Runnicles will lead a celebration of musical and sporting achievement, featuring Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, members of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, the National Youth Choir of Scotland, students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and children from Big Noise, the El Sistema-inspired project based on the Raploch Estate in Stirling. Celebrating sport through music, the concert will include John Williams’ Olympic Fanfare, and the world premiere of a newly commissioned fanfare from acclaimed Scottish composer James MacMillan.
Saturday 3 March, 7.30pm Clyde Auditorium
In a war-torn land, a young woman takes a stand against her city. Antigone’s parents are gone. Her two brothers have destroyed each other in battle. One of them had been branded a traitor - so now anyone caught burying his body will be punished with death. But Antigone cannot desert that duty to her family. As defiance and division mount, surely more bodies will fall to the ground… Lung Ha’s Theatre Company are renowned inclusive theatre specialists and CATS award winners. Here they combine forces with members of NYOS’ contemporary music ensemble, Futures, to forge a blazing new interpretation of one of the most celebrated and timeless dramatic works ever created. Lung Ha’s Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges supported from Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.
Antigone by Sophocles in a new version by Adrian Osmond NYOS Futures students will break down boundaries of genre and tradition as they perform on stage alongside Lung Ha’s Theatre Company in this exciting coproduction
Music by Ken Dempster Directed by Maria Oller
15 March, 7.30pm (Preview) 16 March, 1pm and 7.30pm 17 March, 7.30pm Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh 0131 228 1404 www.traverse.co.uk 21 March, 1.30pm and 7.30pm Platform, Glasgow 0141 276 9696 www.platform-online.co.uk Tickets range from £3.50 to £17 - on sale January 2012
“quite exceptional finesse” The Herald
“I really enjoyed meeting up with talented youngsters and getting to share ideas, thoughts and experiences” - Norman Willmore, Shetland
“I really got an awareness of the importance of timing in the music and it’s given me a lot to work on!” - Neil Paton, Glasgow, winner of 2011 Young Scottish Jazz Musician (under 17)
Watch NYJOS Access on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAjNizJqjM0 www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TBldijcTKQ
ACCESS
at the Jazz Bar, Edinburgh NYJOS Access is the training ground for the next generation of top jazz musicians. Around 25-30 students who show promise at audition are invited to attend a residential course where they benefit from sessions in both small and large groups. The focus is on further developing their improvisation skills and ensemble playing to allow them to make the leap to the main NYJOS band.
The future of NYJOS is in safe hands! Thanks to encouragement from NYJOS Co-Directors, Malcolm Edmonstone and Andrew Bain, many Access students are already showing skills comparable to those of the main NYJOS band. Indeed, many have made that leap, and for the others it is only a matter of patience before their time comes. The budding young musicians will have the chance to show off their newly-honed skills and enthusiasm in an informal, relaxed session at the Edinburgh Jazz Bar, at the same time gaining valuable performance experience in a well established jazz club. Sunday 18 March, late afternoon
“We’ve had such tremendous feedback about the concert and how impressed people were with the standard of musicianship”
Jan Gardens, Birnam Arts Institute following Access performance, March 2011
“Aren’t they wonderful” Roland Kieft, Conductor
Spring Concert Conductor: Roland Kieft Programme to include Poulenc Concerto for Two Pianos Come and hear Scotland’s National Children’s Orchestra, who regularly impress audiences with their polished performances, earning their chance to perform at Scotland’s most prestigious venues. Each year, these talented young orchestral players from all across Scotland demonstrate their dedication and determination, tackling repertoire worthy of a professional orchestra, under the nurturing guidance of conductors noted for their talents in developing the musical skills of this age group. They will be joined by brilliant young pianists, Marianne Schönle and Chantal Osindero, both junior students at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. 15 April 7.00pm Perth Concert Hall, 01738 621 031 16 April 7.00pm Paisley Abbey, 0141 332 8311 Tickets: £10/£5/£2 (Student/Child)
String Training The 2012 NCOS String Training Course will see up to 50 budding young orchestral musicians benefit from a revised course format, designed to enhance junior students’ learning experience and provide invaluable practical teaching experience for senior NYOS students. The new look course will be led by an overall director and by a jazz/composition practitioner, together with 3-4 senior NYOS students, chosen for their ability and experience. Included in the course will be the preparation of repertoire and the associated development of ensemble skills. Additionally, a jazz workshop, delivered by a specialist former member of NYJOS and designed to provide a practical introduction to improvisation skills, will empower students to make fundamental choices about composition. The course will also cover core element of good practice vital to enhancing students’ overall musical experience. The involvement of senior NYOS students provides essential career development experience for them. Under the guidance of the director of the course (who will also be responsible for evaluation of senior students), these students will gain direct experience of project management and group tutoring, vital skills to boost their employment chances at a very formative stage in their pre-professional development in today’s competitive job market.
2 - 5 April, Kilgraston School, Perthshire
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT Spring Academy Spring Academy provides a multi-faceted ensemble training experience for around 50 students who show promise at their NYOS audition. In addition to preparing orchestral repertoire with a conductor, the students also work in instrumental ensembles. Under the careful guidance of expert tutors, the students gain experience of playing ensemble repertoire directed from the leader’s chair. The relatively small scale of the project allows tutors to work in small groups to develop the instrumental techniques and ensemble skills of individuals, growing their confidence and providing them with a solid basis on which to apply for NYOS participation the following year. In this sense, Spring Academy can be seen as a stepping stone from NCOS to NYOS while also allowing NYOS to monitor and assess a number of promising students.
10 - 13 April, Kilgraston School, Perthshire
Young Years Since 1996, NYOS has been providing instrumental awareness and training to nurseries and primary schools in and around Glasgow. Sponsored by the John Lewis Partnership, this NYOS project ensures the future development of many young pupils in the local community, many of whom would not otherwise have the chance to experience quality music teaching. NYOS aims that through the expertise of our specialist tutors these children will reach their fullest potential both musically and in other areas of the curriculum. Children from as young as three years old are taught via the Kodaly method to develop their pitch, rhythm and listening skills, using different instruments and props. The rewards of participation extend beyond the pleasure and the gains from the music, to include the personal development and progress of the young children, their interaction in groups, progress in communication skills, social skills and overall confidence.
NYOS IN YOUR COMMUNITY Jazz Workshops In partnership with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, NYOS continues to fund FREE JAZZ WORKSHOPS in Aberdeen and Stirling for under 18s throughout the school year, providing: expert tuition by some of Scotland’s best jazz musicians development of improvisation skills the chance to meet new people and jam with fellow musicians opportunities to demonstrate new skills in performances Many former students have gone on to become members of NYJOS Saturdays, 12.45 - 2.45pm, Northfield Academy, Aberdeen Tuesdays, 5.30 - 6.30pm and 6.30 - 7.45pm, Tolbooth, Stirling Contact Corinna Gregory on 0141 3328311 or corinnagregory@nyos.co.uk to book a place or find out more NYJOS Co-Directors Andrew Bain and Malcolm Edmonstone will continue to visit schools across all areas of Scotland this year to provide exciting and informative workshops in schools and with Youth Bands, based on the NYOS Syllabus for Jazz©. To date, they have visited groups in The Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Perth & Kinross, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stornoway, and all across The Highlands. “The content was exactly what we had asked to be covered and was delivered in such an encouraging way that our pupils felt confident in responding to what was asked of them. Staff and pupils thoroughly enjoyed the morning and feedback was very positive.” (Music Teacher, Dumfries)
PLAY YOUR PART
At a time when public resources are stretched, NYOS needs your support to continue our work to help safeguard Scotland’s musical heritage by providing vital education, performance and employment opportunities for young musicians. To find out more about how you can support NYOS, please contact Laura Beaton on 0141 332 8311 or at laurabeaton@nyos.co.uk
You can make a donation to NYOS at any time via Virgin Money Giving. To do so, go to our website and click on ‘Donate Now’.
FUNDRAISING NCOS Appeal Update Since losing the main sponsor of NCOS, Standard Life, NYOS has raised over £4,000 in the appeal, and we are extremely grateful to those who have chosen to support NCOS in this way. Each and every donation will make a direct impact upon the young musicians participating in the 2011 - 2012 season and we thank you most sincerely on their behalf. We are especially grateful to NCOS supporters Fiona and Peter Foyle of the Framework Gallery in Troon, who, in response to the NCOS appeal have generously offered to donate a percentage of the sales from their forthcoming exhibition towards the work of NCOS. Their son, Michael, has played with NYOS ensembles for many years, working his way through the ranks from NCOS to NYOS to Camerata Scotland. He is now studying violin with Daniel Rowland and piano with Julian Jacobson at the Royal College of Music (London). All are welcome to attend the exhibition, running from 4 to 30 November. NYOS and the Framework Gallery are hosting an exhibition viewing evening for invited guests on Thursday 3 November. Talented NCOS musicians Donald Robinson (‘cello) and Hannah Foster (flute) will entertain guests during the evening. Peter has kindly painted a still life entitled “Teatime”, (shown left) which he has very generously offered to raffle in aid of NYOS. Raffle tickets cost £1 each and can be bought directly from the Framework Galley during the exhibition. Alternatively, you can send a cheque made payable to The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland together with your name, address telephone number and e-mail address and we will forward your details to Peter and Fiona. The draw will take place on 30 November.
A big thank you to all our friends, supporters and partners
NYOS also gratefully acknowledges the generous support of all those who wish to remain anonymous. The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS) is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland - number 66497 and a registered Scottish charity - number SC015482. V.A.T. Reg. No. 328 6513 49. Image Credits: Student photos - Ian Watson, Studio Scotland