Young musicians from NCO will get a taste of life in a professional orchestra with thanks to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).
Musicians from the Under 13 Orchestra and 18 professionals from CBSO will unite for a unique day spent at the CBSO Centre in November. Over the course of the session, the children will participate in a series of rehearsals and workshops; including sectional rehearsals with detailed input from CBSO players in the morning, followed by a full rehearsal and group discussion in the afternoon.
During the afternoon session the CBSO musicians will rotate around the orchestra, sitting side-by-side with our young players. The NCO children will have the opportunity to work on refining their ensemble skills, listening skills, musical characterisation, physicality and overall musical communication with some of the country's finest orchestral players.
The session will be conducted by Ben Gernon, an internationally acclaimed conductor and CBSO Youth Orchestra alumni. Together, Ben and the musicians will work on repertoire from the Under 13 Orchestra’s spring and summer residential courses, offering a chance to delve even deeper into the music. Repertoire includes movements from Holst’s The Planets and Que Rico Mambo by Prado.
Stephen Maddock OBE, Chief Executive at CBSO, explains:
“Through our own CBSO youth ensembles and through engagement with young musicians of all ages and abilities, we are committed to providing high-quality opportunities for as many young people as we can possibly reach. This year brings the unique opportunity of collaborating with NCO, a rare opportunity for truly national reach in our learning programme. It is a uniquely exciting opportunity for us to work with young children playing at such a high level.”
Catherine Arlidge, CBSO violinist and NCO Artistic and Educational Director, adds:
“For the CBSO players who participate in this kind of activity, it is a very natural extension of sharing the music you love through performance, to sharing the music you love by inspiring others.”
Select a name to learn more about the CBSO musicians who will be working with the NCO children
- Jonathan Martindale - 1st Violin, Assistant Leader
- Kate Suthers - 2nd Violin, Section Leader
- Amy Thomas - Viola
- Catherine Ardagh-Walter - Cello
- Tony Robb - Flute
- Ben Hudson - Bassoon
- Elspeth Dutch - Horn, Section Leader
- Richard Blake - Trumpet, Principal Second
- Toby Kearney - Percussion and Timpani, Principal
- Stephanie Beck - Harp
