The Nottingham Youth Orchestra is a youth orchestra that was founded in 1985 by Derek Williams and the late Stephen Fairlie. The main aim of the orchestra is to promote the musical development of young local musicians in full time education. The orchestra has gained a reputation for its high standards of performance and has received praise and acclaim both in the UK and on tours abroad.
Over the past 20 years, NYO has expanded from just one orchestra to three classical orchestras and two jazz orchestras. These groups involve over 300 young players aged 8 to 19, representing some 50 schools in Nottinghamshire and other parts of the East Midlands. All of the orchestras are coached by experienced local professional musicians, who support all the sections of the orchestras in their musical development. The members are given the opportunity to play a wide range of orchestral and chamber music, as well as film scores and traditional folk songs. Following Derek Williams' retirement the senior orchestra now has the benefit of experienced visiting conductors, including the organisation's Artistic Advisor, James Lowe.
There are at least three major Youth Orchestra concerts in the Nottingham area each year, typically including venues such as the Royal Concert Hall, Southwell Minster, St Mary's church and the Albert Hall. The senior orchestra also undertakes a summer tour, often to Europe. Recent destinations have included Florence, Vienna, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and Antwerp. In the past the orchestra has toured places as far afield as the United States and Cyprus.
The orchestra has commissioned work by various composers and performed the world premieres of 'Mosaic' by Nick Sackman at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2002 and 'The Death of Stalin' by Robert Steadman in March 2003 at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall. It has also premiered a Jazz Violin Concerto by John Dankworth and has performed the Elgar Cello Concerto with Julian Lloyd Webber. At the Music for Youth National festival at the Royal Festival Hall in London in July 2003, the orchestra was highly commended for its performance.
The Nottingham Youth Jazz Orchestra (Notts NYJO) was formed in Spring 2008. NYJO is directed by Phil Smith and NYJO 2, a training band for NYJO, Is under the direction of Ben Lee, who also tutors an 8-piece combo. All the bands perform gigs and concerts locally, with a varied repertoire of jazz and popular tunes. Every summer NYJO spends a week performing in Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival. Its patron is the internationally regarded Tony Kofi, a jazz saxophonist and band leader who hails from Nottingham.
Joanna Clare MacGregor is a British concert pianist, conductor, composer, and festival curator. She is Head of Piano at the Royal Academy of Music and a professor of the University of London. She is currently artistic director of the International Summer School & Festival at Dartington Hall.
Sky were an English/Australian instrumental rock group that specialised in combining a variety of musical styles, most prominently rock, classical and jazz. The group's original and best-known line-up featured classical guitarist John Williams (Australian), bass player Herbie Flowers, electric guitarist Kevin Peek (Australian), drummer Tristan Fry and keyboard player Francis Monkman.
The Colne Valley Youth Orchestra is a youth orchestra in Essex, England. It was founded in 1981, and has been playing and performing in North Essex. It provides a non-auditioning classical music provider for young people aged ten to 19. Established by Nigel Hildreth, who continues to both conduct and run the administrative side of the orchestra, its patron was Sir Malcolm Arnold. The current honorary President of the orchestra is Damon Albarn.
Adrian Brown is a British conductor. He is a proponent of contemporary music and has several first performances to his credit.
The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO-GB) is the national youth orchestra of the United Kingdom, consisting of 164 members of ages 13 to 19 years. The players are selected by auditions which take place in the autumn each year at various locations in the country. The minimum standard needed to audition is ABRSM / Trinity Guildhall / London College of Music Grade 8 Distinction – though it is not necessary to have taken any examinations. The NYO's aim is to be "the most inspirational orchestra for young people" and at many of its concerts, all seats are only £5 for under 25s. In 2011, the orchestra was shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society's Best Ensemble Award. In 2012, the NYO received the Queen's Medal for Music. In 2015 the NYO received the Royal Philharmonic Society's Ensemble award, which recognised particularly the launch of NYO Inspire as well as their other work.
The San Jose Youth Symphony (SJYS) is a non-profit youth orchestra located in San Jose, California.
The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS) provide a complete orchestral experience for its students aged between 8 and 25, through its pathway of orchestras, jazz bands, training ensembles and outreach programmes.
West of Scotland Schools' Symphony Orchestra (WSSSO) is a youth orchestra run by the West of Scotland Schools Orchestras (WSSO) Trust, which also runs the West of Scotland Schools Concert Band). The orchestra is conducted by James Lowe. It was established in 1996 after the break-up of the former Strathclyde region, and provides professional training and performance opportunities for talented young musicians from the west of Scotland.
Gwilym Simcock is a Welsh pianist and composer working in both jazz and classical music, and often blurring the boundaries of the two.
The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) is a British jazz orchestra founded in 1965 by Bill Ashton. In 2010 Mark Armstrong took over as Music Director of the flagship performing band, and Artistic Director of the organisation; Bill Ashton became Life President, and Nigel Tully became Executive Chair.
The National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra (NSGSO) was formed in 1976 as a joint youth orchestra of The Scout Association and the Girlguiding in the United Kingdom.
The National Children's Orchestras of Great Britain, more commonly known as NCO, is a registered charity which provides orchestral training for children aged 7 to 14. The organisation comprises five age-banded orchestras and six regional orchestras. Entry is by audition and every year approximately 500 young musicians are selected to play in the orchestras. It offers a life-changing experience to talented young musicians.
The National Youth Orchestra of Wales is the national youth orchestra of Wales, based in Cardiff. Founded in 1945, it is the longest-standing national youth orchestra in the world.
Nicholas Sackman is an English classical composer.
The Oxford University Jazz Orchestra (OUJO) is a jazz orchestra based in the University of Oxford, England. Founded in 1991 it is the longest-running ensemble of its type in the university.
Derek Gleeson is an Irish/American musician. Born in Dublin, Ireland. He is currently the music director and conductor of the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra and has been the conductor at the Anna Livia Dublin International Opera Festival. Since 2012 Gleeson is also music director & conductor of the Rachmaninov Festival Orchestra. Since January 2016 Gleeson is Principal Guest Conductor or The Harbin Symphony Orchestra, Harbin, China. He also composes musical scores for film and television and of symphonic music for the concert hall.
The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra (SFSYO) is the youth orchestra of the San Francisco Symphony and a key element of the symphony's community outreach and education programs. First organized in 1981, SFSYO has built a reputation as one of the finest youth orchestras in the world. The SFSYO performs an annual concert series, tours internationally, and has made several recordings. The orchestra rehearses in Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall under Wattis Foundation Music Director Daniel Stewart, and celebrated its 35th anniversary season in 2017-2018. The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra returned from its 11th international tour in 2019.
Feargus Hetherington is a violinist and violist based in Glasgow. He has performed from an early age throughout Scotland and abroad. He arranges music, teaches and presents music workshops and seminars.
Kelly Tang is a Singaporean composer known internationally for his wind band, chamber and orchestral works. For his contributions to the local music scene, Tang was conferred the Cultural Medallion in 2011.
Grand Union Orchestra, also known as The Grand Union, is a multicultural world jazz ensemble based in London. It has been performing, touring and recording large-scale shows for over 30 years and is well known for its educational work.
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