PDF - National Youth String Orchestra (NYSO)

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Newsletter 2014
Music Director
Damian Iorio
The many changes we implemented over the past
couple of years started to bear fruit in 2014. The
majority of our 2013 members returned in 2014
and we had some very talented new players join
us, allowing us to have a larger orchestra than in
the previous couple of years. The centrepiece of
our programme was William Walton's Sonata for
Strings, and this was framed by Holst's St Paul's
Suite and Dvořák's Serenade for Strings. We have
performed part of the Walton in the past, but
this was the first time NYSO performed the
whole piece. It is a complicated work with great
technical challenges and is not normally a piece
taken on by youth orchestras due to its difficulty.
However, with such talented players I was sure
that they would be able to perform this piece
to a very high level and decided to challenge
them with it. It took time for the orchestra to
develop their understanding of the music and
to solve the many technical challenges, but
everyone threw themselves into the preparation
with commitment and enthusiasm. The patience
and hard work which everyone put in to the
whole programme really paid off and the results
were, as I had expected, of a very high standard.
Our summer tour took us to places we had
not been to before. I am trying to take NYSO
to new areas of the UK as NYSO is a national
organisation and we should be heard in as many
places around the country as possible. We began
our summer tour with a concert at the Guildhall
in Hull in aid of the Lord Mayor's charity. As in
2013, the Senior concert was preceded by a
performance by the Intermediate orchestra.
This concert was advertised and sold as a double
concert with both Intermediate and Senior
orchestras, and a very concentrated and patient
public listened to 3 hours of music with great
enthusiasm and good will. It is important for
the Intermediate orchestra to get more concert
experience and for us to raise its profile, and
this will continue in the future. Both orchestras
did fantastically, and I would like to quote a
message I received from one of the organisers:
“Thanks again for a terrific concert. There
was real passion and commitment from the
orchestra and the players performed at a level
to rival many a professional group. The youthful
energy combined with an often thrilling sound
connected with the audience to create some
very special moments – truly inspirational. Your
direction was so controlled, full of panache
and poise.”
After Hull we said goodbye to the Intermediates
who had finished their course, and the Senior
orchestra travelled to Leeds for a concert in
The Venue, which is part of Leeds College of
Music and which has a very important concert
series. It is a very good concert hall with a very
clear acoustic, and after the very generous
acoustic of the Guildhall the previous day it took
some rehearsal time to get adjust to the new
acoustic. This is a very good experience for our
young musicians as it requires them to quickly
adjust their sound, articulation and even tempi in
order for the music to make sense in the acoustic.
They also felt much more exposed as it is a very
clear hall, but once again they rose to the
challenge and we had a very successful concert.
Before travelling down to London for our final
concert, the orchestra returned to Hull to
participate in conducting masterclasses which
I gave in association with the University of Hull.
I spent the morning taking a piano class on parts
of the Dvorak Serenade and Holst St Paul's Suite
with four conducting students, then in the
afternoon they had the opportunity to conduct
NYSO. It was a very interesting experience for
the orchestra to play with four different
conductors of varying conducting experience
and abilities, and they really noticed the
difference in their sound and ensemble when
they played with each of them. Perhaps this
experience will create interest in some of our
players to try conducting for themselves in
the future...!
Our final concert was a major event for NYSO as
we performed in the wonderful King’s Place in
London. This is one of the most important
chamber venues in London and the UK and has
a lovely acoustic. Having already performed two
concerts, the orchestra was in good form and
performed a really fantastic concert to a warm
and numerous public. The concert was recorded
and we have CDs of this wonderful performance
available. If you would like a copy of the CD
please contact the NYSO office.
I had placed a lot of responsibility on the
principal players with the programme I had
chosen and I was very pleased with how they
worked together and with the quality of their
playing. A particular mention goes to the leader,
Emma Rushworth, who had many important
solos. Emma has been with us for a number of
years and has led the orchestra for the past
two years. We are all very proud to see how she
has developed and worked her way up through
the section during the years she has been in
NYSO, and I am pleased that she will return
again in 2015.
And that brings me nicely to our plans in
2015 when we celebrate NYSO's 20th birthday!
We will continue with our new tradition of a
joint concert with both Intermediate and Senior
orchestras, then the Senior orchestra will leave for
a short tour of Denmark. We will be performing
in some of Denmark's most important festivals,
and I have organised a small joint-cooperation
project with a specialist music school in Jutland
which should be very interesting for both sides.
I have also invited one of Denmark's most
respected violinists to perform with us. After
the final concert we travel back to the UK with
our soloist for our final concert of the summer
at King’s Place in London. Course and concert
dates are already on our website.
Plans for our 21st anniversary year in 2016
are already falling into place. We are organising
a tour of the UK and will perform in some of the
more important UK venues, but the highlight will
be a concert in one of the major UK festivals. For
now I will leave you all intrigued as to where this
will be! It will be a concert of great importance
for NYSO and I am very pleased that we are
getting the recognition we deserve.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank
everyone who is involved in NYSO, from the
music coaches and pastoral staff to the board,
from the friends to the sponsors but above all
to the players and their families. None of this
would be possible without you all. A special
thanks goes to Carol Parker, our tireless
administrator. See you all soon!
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Molly
This year we played the sonata by Walton
which I loved! It was really hard but we worked
at it and then once we could all play it I felt so
excited. I think this was my favorite piece of
music, especially the last movement. (In the
performance at Kings Place in London, I broke
some hairs of my bow because I was really going
for it.) I’ve found it hard in the past to really play
out in an ensemble, but that all changed this
summer. I enjoyed myself so much! I’ve been
missing playing the music and keep finding
myself humming it!
Molly-Rowan Sharples
Tomo
This year I was moved from principal 2nd to coleader of the orchestra where I had to learn the
differences of the roles and new responsibilities,
such as leading the orchestra when the principal
was playing the solo part and supporting the
leader by following bowing, using the same
amount and same part of the bow etc. It was
a lot tougher than I imagined. Oh! And also I
got very good at turning pages quickly!
Tomo Kimura
the Battalia, deliberately 'out of tune' writing to
mimic drunken soldiers! The opening presto of
the battalia is literally a call to battle, which
opened our concert in style. Two Bach Gavottes
from the third English Suite followed, arranged
for string ensemble with extensive solo parts for
solo violin and cello, played beautifully by Molly
Becker and Owain Smith. Holst's Brook Green
Suite was written in 1933 for the orchestra at
St Paul's Girls' School and its three movements
(prelude, air, dance) are beautifully proportioned.
For many of our members it was an introduction
to Holst at his best and I think the orchestra fell
in love with this piece. Although originally a
chamber work (one of the Paris quartets) the
Telemann 'concerto for orchestra' worked
brilliantly for string ensemble and we finished
our concert with a fiery rendition of Piazzola's
libertango, inventively transcribed by Ros
Stephen. I had never seen our players so
energised (but am looking forward to more of
that next course!) We also gave demonstrations
of the part singing we had prepared during the
Kodaly musicianship sessions and plastique
animée prepared during the Dalcroze sessions
with Daisy Vatalaro. Much fun was had by all and
the intermediate orchestra were an absolute joy
to work with.
We already have a very promising group of
students signed up for our 2015 courses and are
welcoming applications from students of grade 6
and above, with a letter of recommendation from
their teacher. The music we will study includes
repertoire by Handel, Mozart and Bartok and we
will be working towards a public performance at
the end of the summer course.
Jude
“I am already looking forward to next year and
two more courses! Thank you, NYSO!”
Rachel Erdos
Intermediate NYSO Director
2014 was another exciting year for NYSO
intermediate orchestra. Our courses were
extended to 6 days in length. Students attended
both courses and preparation for the summer
began during the Easter course. The extra time
and continuity allowed us to work on more
repertoire in more depth. Each section of the
orchestra was able to work more intensively
with the senior tutors and the whole orchestra
enjoyed improvisation sessions with Andy Baker.
We made great use of our host school venues
in the evenings with basketball games in Sussex
and fun in the pool at Pocklington included in
the activities organised by Sam and Karen.
A rehearsal-packed week in the summer
culminated in a full length concert performance
at the Guildhall, Hull, with a programme of Biber,
Bach, Holst, Telemann and Piazzola.
I chose the programme to give as much breadth
as possible in terms of musical styles and ways
composers write for string ensemble. As a
composer for strings, Biber (1644-1704) was truly
a man ahead of his time. He extended technique
by writing in high positions, using special tunings,
percussive effects and even, in one movement of
I have been playing with NYSO for four courses,
and it is now a part of my life that I look forward
to each year. I really enjoy playing with the
orchestra partly because it is a chamber
orchestra (small enough that we all count
individually), and also because we are a mixture
of ages and abilities. There is a really nice feel to
it, and the pastoral staff help you to feel at home.
I have been playing double bass since I was 6,
and it is excellent to be part of a string orchestra
where I can actually hear myself playing (in a full
orchestra it is really hard to hear yourself play).
Rachel, our conductor, always has very good
ideas to enable us to play better. We all try to
get our parts prepared before the course so that
when we play together for the first time it already
fits together well, and after we have had our first
Dalcroze and Kodaly sessions the music sounds
even better. We also have sectionals with our
own specialist tutor who helps us with
techniques, fingerings, playing as a section
together, and talking about the music. Andy, the
double bass tutor, is fun and
really helpful.
We often swap positions in
the orchestra because we all
need to know what it is like
to play in different desks –
I think this is really good too.
In NYSO we don't just play
music, we also do Dalcroze
and Kodaly.
In Dalcroze we try to show
the music we are playing
through our physical
movement. It is really good to be able to stretch
ourselves out after all the playing and it helps us
to be able to communicate to each other whilst
we are playing our music together. We work
towards a 'Plastique Animee' where we create
moves to the music as a group together. This
requires a lot of focus, teamwork and
collaboration. We often try ideas out before we
agree if they are good. It is not like dancing
because we interpret the music by breaking it
down into different movement structures for
our own benefit, rather than just simply moving
to the music. None of us are sure how this
actually works – but it does and I have found it
really helpful! I think we can play much better
because of doing Dalcroze because it helps us to
communicate really well with the other members
of the group.
In Kodaly we break down music into its
structures and melodies in Sol Fa. We sing in Sol
Fa – we also do different exercises where we
compose our own melodies to sing that fit over
particular chords in the music. Again our Kodaly
work is based on music we are playing – so it
reinforces our understanding of the structure of
the music in a different way. We don't all sing the
same notes, we sing parts that are suited to our
voice pitch and in my case, despite playing the
lowest instrument of the orchestra, I sing the
highest part most of the time!
Many of us already knew Sol Fa and the hand
signals that go with it a bit, but those who don't
know this soon catch up and the group is always
very patient! It is nice to be able to get to know
some of our music through singing it as well as
playing it!
When we are not working we are laughing,
relaxing, chatting, and eating together. Everyone
feels at home in NYSO because no one is
excluded, and the atmosphere is very friendly
and not competitive. When I first joined it was
easy to make new friends and get to know
people. Sometimes on a course we go swimming
together, or watch a film in town in a rest period.
We stay at nice boarding schools and use their
facilities - each course we have stayed at a
different place and it is really good to play in
different acoustics and enjoy being somewhere
new. This is excellent preparation for our concert
when we get a short rehearsal and need to
rebalance the orchestra to suit a new hall! I have
played at the Sage Gateshead and Hull Guildhall
with NYSO now.
NYSO is special to me because being a small
string orchestra we all get a lot more personal
attention from the staff and from each other.
We are not a flock of sheep following a
shepherd – we don't just do what we are told
to do – we are allowed to contribute and be
active participants in the music making. For
example we are sometimes back early from
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break and we will start playing together, then
Rachel will come back and just listen to us and
it is like the normal roles are reversed.
Jude Chandler (aged 11) Intermediate member
Comment from Jude’s mother
"It is obvious to me that Jude has really
benefitted both musically and socially from
being a member of NYSO Intermediates. NYSO
is that rare thing - an organisation of very
committed musicians who are working together
for the benefit of those in the orchestra's care,
promoting not just excellent playing, but also a
holistic approach to each individual; balancing
the highest quality music making with a freedom
of spirit that nurtures each young player as a
whole person."
Luisa Chandler
Ian Jewel
Viola sectional rehearsals
I was delighted when Damian asked me to
coach the violas in NYSO and would like to tell
you a little of what happens in the Viola
sectional rehearsal.
Each session began with a few scales to warm up
the fingers and ears, we then played through each
movement to get the feel of the music and then
worked at our difficult passages, sorting out the
best fingerings and bowings. Of course we had to
see what the violins were doing in the general
rehearsals, so that the bowings were uniform.
Sometimes we had to argue our cause when
there were bowings we thought didn’t suit
the viola!
We started our work playing very slowly for
intonation, shifting and string crossings.
I made up exercises to help the difficulties
and to familiarise ourselves with the passages.
We played with just the inside players then the
outside players and then both together. Finally
gradually we sped up until reaching the correct
speed.
In the difficult Walton Sonata, where rhythmic
precision is most important, we put down our
violas and clapped the rhythm. This was the best
way to perfect it without the complication of
playing the notes at the same time. We even
sang the passages before finally putting it all
together on the viola. By the end of the course
the section was playing brilliantly and the
concerts were a great success.
The violas were great characters, and their
leader, Alistair, with his dry sense of humour,
did a fine job in leading them and playing the
very hard solos in the Walton sonata.
Winner of Bow Raffle
Congratulations to Emma Rushworth holder of
ticket no. 350 and winner of the Harold Ball bow.
NYSO’s Chairman drew the ticket following
NYSO’s 2014 concert at Kings Place, London.
Guildhall School of Music and Drama,
NYSO Partnership
NYSO are delighted to be in partnership with the
Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Students of the Junior GSMD who missed the
auditions, may be considered for a place in NYSO
following a recommendation from their string
teacher and at the discretion of the Music
Director and places being available.
Fundraising
Maki Asano – Fund raising concert
NYSO would like to say once again a very big
thank you to Maki Asano who organised a
charity concert on July 5th 2014 to raise funds
for NYSO. Members past and present, Seniors
and Intermediates as well as friends of Maki’s
performed at Trinity Church, North Finchley
and raised an amazing £726 from tickets,
food and donations.
Thank you to Mr Tsuneo Hasagawa who sang at
the concert and gave a personal donation for
which NYSO are very grateful.
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Music Director
Damian Iorio
Founder
Ms Viviane Ronchetti
Patrons
NYSO was sad to hear of the death of its longstanding patron and supporter Ivey Dickson OBE.
She transformed the provision of youth orchestra
training at the national level in the UK and was a
loyal supporter and friend to NYSO, particularly
in our early years. Full obituaries are in The
Guardian and Daily Telegraph and can be read
online.
Sir Neville Marriner, CBE
Sir Mark Elder, CBE
Diana Fry
Dr Jane Glover, CBE
David Takeno
Trustees
Charles Clark (Chairman)
John Bimson
William Bruce
Richard Davison
Alison Pickard
David Woodhead
Coaching Team
Andrew Baker, Diana Cummings, Ian Jewel,
Andrew McGee, Jonathan Strange,
Gillian Thoday, Rachel Erdos (Kodaly and
Intermediate Music Director)
Daisy Vatalaro (Dalcroze)
Course Venues 2014
Burgess Hill School for Girls, Keymer Road,
Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0EG
Pocklington School, West Green, Pocklington,
York YO42 2NJ
NYSO would like to thank the following
organisations for their generous support of
NYSO's work in 2014 and for making it possible
for students to attend NYSO through the Bursary
Scheme:
John Lewis Partnership
The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Marsh
The Ernest Cook Trust
SFIA Educational Trust
Angus Allnatt Charitable Foundation
The Derek Butler Trust
The Hart Foundation
Emmanuel Hurwitz Chamber Music
CharitableTrust
Friends of NYSO
Mr & Mrs A. Agar, Judy Anderson
Mrs Andrews, Mr & Mrs Asano, Mr & Mrs Becker
Mr & Mrs Habuki-Bedford
Mr Les & Mrs Karen Brewster, Mr & Mrs K Brown
Audrey Butler, Mr & Mrs Cameronr
Mr & Mrs Chandler, Mrs Rachel Chegwin
Ms S C Chui, Mr & Mrs Cunningham
Mrs S Davies,Mr & Mrs Elliott, Mr Richard Fifield
Mr & Mrs Freeman, Ms Diana Fry
Mr Jordan Garbutt, Ms Karen Gick
Mr M Griffiths & Mrs S Mead
Mr Tsuneo Hasagawa, Mr & Mrs K Ishimitsu
Mr & Mrs Kent, Mr & Mrs B Kenealy
Mr & Mrs Kimura, Mr & Mrs Lay, Mr & Mrs Lear
Mr & Mrs Lester, Dr. Jan Mair, Mr & Mrs Del Mar
Mrs Mason, Mr & Mrs Meakin, Mrs B Metzger
Mr & Mrs C Nurse, Mr Z Owen, Mr & Mrs Overy
Carolyn Parrish, Mrs D A Rarity, Ms V Rochetti
Mrs M Roberts, Mrs Rushworth
Mr & Mrs Sharples, Mr & Mrs G Sheriff
J H M Sims, Mr & Mrs Smith (Katherine Senior)
Ms Moira Smith, Ms V Stenning
Dr A L & J D Turnbull, Mr Denis Vigay
Mr & Mrs Waudby-West
Mr & Mrs White (Vanessa Senior)
Mr & Mrs White (Henry Intermediate)
Ms R Willis, Chi Yeung Wong
Mr David Woodhead
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2015
Easter courses 2015
Senior Course
7th - 12th April – Burgess Hill School for Girls, Burgess Hill, West Sussex
Intermediate Course
7th - 12th April – Burgess Hill School for Girls, Burgess Hill, West Sussex
Summer courses 2015
Some of you would have noticed that Daisy was
heavily pregnant on the summer course and I am
delighted to let you all know that twins Eliza and
Zelda Vatalaro arrived safely and are doing well.
Congratulations to Daisy and Chris.
Pastoral Team
Judy Anderson (Pastoral Director)
Karen Butler, Karen French
Sam Parker, Vaughn Williams
Support Team
Carol Parker (Administrator)
Jane MacArthur (Amati UK Ltd)
Webmaster
Infotex
CONTACTING NYSO
TELEPHONE
07902 223019
EMAIL
[email protected]
National Youth String Orchestra
A Company limited by guarantee.
Senior Course
5th - 12th August – St John’s School, Epsom Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8SP
12th - 19th – Denmark tour
19th - 20th – Ashford School, East Hill, Ashford, Kent TN24 8PB
Intermediate Course
6th - 11th August – St John’s School, Epsom Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8SP
Concerts – Seniors and Intermediates
11th August UK tbc
Seniors
20th Concert – Kings Place, London
Concerts - Denmark tour:
13th August – Thisted Kirke
14th August – Frederikshavn Kirke part of the Vendyssel Festival
15th August – Esbjerg Konserthus, Esbjerg
16th August – OrkesterEfterskolen, Holstebro
18th August – Schubertiaden Festival, Roskilde
WEBSITE
www.nyso.uk
Registered office:
One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ
FACEBOOK
facebook.com/nysostrings
@nysostrings
Registered in England No. 5482194
Charity No. 1110462