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National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain to present two summer concerts at The Sage Gateshead and Town Hall, Birmingham

Issued: 12 July 2011

FROM: THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN

The National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain’s (NCO) Main and Under 13 Orchestras are to perform at The Sage Gateshead and Town Hall, Birmingham as part of the NCO’s Summer Concert season, presenting two contrasting programmes.

NCO Main Orchestra at The Sage Gateshead on Saturday 6 August, 2011 at 7pm

The National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain’s Main Orchestra returns to The Sage, Gateshead, under the baton of guest conductor and Venezuelan born, Natalia Luis-Bassa. Audiences will be treated to exotic sounds from Mexico, Brazil and Argentina featuring South American composers Villa-Lobos, Ginastera and Márquez, as well as a spirited performance of Tchaikovsky’s striking fifth symphony. Once heard it is virtually impossible to believe that members of this hugely talented Main Orchestra are all aged 14 and under.

NCO Under 13 Orchestra at Town Hall, Birmingham on Saturday 20 August, 2011 at 7pm

Not to be outdone, the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain’s Under 13 Orchestra has a magical evening of music-making lined up which is set to enthral the whole family. With Roger Clarkson, director of music, NCO conducting, the orchestra is to perform an exciting programme of carnival, can-can and dance music by Berlioz, Offenbach and Weber, works by contemporary composer Matthew Curtis, and John Williams’ thrilling theme music to the blockbuster film Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Roger Clarkson, director of music, NCO comments: “Our Summer Concert season is going to be fantastic. In our Under 13 Orchestra, over 100-strong, some of our musicians are as young as 11, yet they perform with such maturity and ability. While the leader of our Main Orchestra, which is also over 100-strong, has only just turned 12 years of age! All our members enjoy playing together, especially in public concert venues, which is why these performances are full of such exuberance, energy and spirit. Audiences always leave amazed by the incredible standard of their music-making.”

ENDS

For further information or photos please contact: Katrina Kelly, NCO press office, telephone: 01934 418855 or email: K.Kelly@nco.org.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ORCHESTRA AT THE SAGE GATESHEAD

Saturday 6 August, 2011 at 7pm

Tickets: £10, £15, £18; concessions £2 off; Under 16s £5

Available from The Sage Gateshead box office: 0191 443 4661, www.thesagegateshead.org

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ORCHESTRA AT TOWN HALL, BIRMINGHAM

Saturday 20 August, 2011 at 7pm

Tickets: £10, £15, £18; concessions £2 off; Under 16s £5

Available from Town Hall or Symphony Hall box office: 0121 780 3333, www.thsh.co.uk

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN

The National Children’s Orchestra holds nationwide auditions every year to populate its five age-banded orchestras with the most gifted young orchestral players that the UK has to offer. 2010 saw a record number of children, over 900 hopefuls, audition for a place in the NCO's 2011 Orchestras, with over 480 being successful.

The quality of orchestral training provided to NCO members is unrivalled, with children being given the opportunity to take part in intensive residential courses where first-class musical training is teamed with lots of fun social activities.

The tutors for these sessions are drawn from major national orchestras and the best specialist music schools around the country. Each residential course culminates in a full orchestra concert performance, like those being held at The Sage Gateshead and Town Hall, Birmingham.

For further information or photos please contact: Katrina Kelly, NCO press office, telephone: 01934 418855 or email: K.Kelly@nco.org.uk

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