West of Scotland Schools Symphony Orchestra

Last updated

The West of Scotland Schools' Symphony Orchestra (WSSSO) is a youth orchestra that provides training and performance opportunities to musicians who attend schools across west and central Scotland. The orchestra is run by the West of Scotland Schools Orchestras (WSSO) Trust. The orchestra is conducted by James Lowe. It was established in 1996 after the break-up of the former Strathclyde region.

Contents

History

In April 1996, with the abolition of the Strathclyde region, the old Strathclyde Schools Symphony Orchestra was disbanded. Some funds had been set aside and the University of Strathclyde took over responsibility for administration of providing musical opportunity for pupils across the 12 new local authorities that comprised the old regional council. [1] James MacMillan agreed to be a patron. [2] The new arrangements were not without teething problems, with some pupils that were offered places later withdrawing on account of being asked for fees to cover sumer tuition. [3] The trust became registered as a charity in 1999. [4] In 2014, two further ensembles were launched following the success of the WSSSO and concert band. [5] When surveyed, WSSSO participants (along with other musicians who had advanced youth symphony involvement) reported positive experiences. [6]

Partnerships

The orchestra works in partnership with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO), and the University of Strathclyde to provide musical activities for its members throughout the academic year.

Calendar

November: Auditions take place. Candidates are required to play a single piece and undertake a sight-reading test.
January: Solo/Concerto competition. This is an opportunity for members to compete for a chance to feature as a soloist in the orchestra's programme for the following year.
April: Taster day. Held at the University of Strathclyde. The orchestra meets to rehearse and perform a programme in just one day.
May: Joint rehearsal with RSNO. It is held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
June: A residential course, week-long course, usually held at Carberry Tower, in Musselburgh. This culminates in a concert at a venue such as Paisley Town Hall.
August: Further public concerts, including the Schools Concerts Initiative which sees the orchestra visit a partner local authority secondary school to perform, and a Joint Showcase Concert performance with the Concert Band in Glasgow's City Halls, Grand Hall.

Performances

In 1999 the orchestra played at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. [7]

Concerts are played in venues such as New Lanark, Vikingar, and RSAMD concert hall, and are well attended. Their 2004 performance at the NAYO festival was described as "a very expressive and enjoyable performance". [8]

In June 2006, WSSSO premiered Martin Suckling's Morning Star at Motherwell Town Hall. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glasgow Royal Concert Hall</span> Concert hall in Glasgow City, Scotland, UK

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is a concert and arts venue located in Glasgow, Scotland. It is owned by Glasgow City Council and operated by Glasgow Life, an agency of Glasgow City Council, which also runs Glasgow's City Halls and Old Fruitmarket venue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Scottish National Orchestra</span> Scotlands national symphony orchestra based in Glasgow

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) is a Scottish orchestra, based in Glasgow. It is one of the five national performing arts companies of Scotland. Throughout its history, the Orchestra has played an important part in Scotland’s musical life, including performing at the opening ceremony of the Scottish Parliament building in 2004.

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras (FSYO) is a music education program in Central Florida, consisting of six primary ensembles with nearly 300 student musicians. FSYO is the oldest operating youth symphony in the state of Florida and is believed to be the 3rd oldest in the southeastern United States. It was originally affiliated with the now-defunct Florida Symphony Orchestra.

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is an Edinburgh-based UK chamber orchestra. One of Scotland's five National Performing Arts Companies, the SCO performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and South of Scotland. The SCO appears regularly at the Edinburgh, East Neuk, St Magnus and Aldeburgh Festivals and The Proms. The SCO's international touring receives support from the Scottish Government. The SCO rehearses mainly at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall.

Thomas Wilson CBE FRSE was an American-born Scottish composer, a key figure in the revival of interest in Scottish classical music after the second world war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicola Benedetti</span> Italian-Scottish classical violinist

Nicola Joy Nadia Benedetti is an Italian-Scottish classical solo violinist and festival director. Her ability was recognised when she was a child, including the award of BBC Young Musician of the Year when she was 16. She works with orchestras in Europe and America as well as with Alexei Grynyuk, her regular pianist. Since 2012, she has played the Gariel Stradivarius violin.

Sarah Frances Beamish is a British composer and violist. Her works include chamber, vocal, choral and orchestral music. She has also worked in the field of music, theatre, film and television, as well as composing for children and for her local community.

The National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra (NSGSO) was formed in 1976 by George Odam and Sue Stevens as a joint youth orchestra of The Scout Association and Girlguiding in the United Kingdom.

Western Australian Charity Orchestra Inc (WACO) is a not-for-profit charity organisation dedicated to changing lives through music. Their current ensembles include a full symphony orchestra – the West Coast Philharmonic, the West Coast Philharmonic Chorus and the WA Wind Symphony – all based in Perth, Western Australia. All ensembles are made up almost entirely of volunteers, and for many years the WACO produced concerts to help fund-raise for Western Australian charities. In 2017 WACO Inc became an Australian Registered charity in their own right, and now their volunteers work in the community to make a difference first-hand in the lives of others.

Kevin Patrick Noe is an American conductor, stage director, writer, and trumpeter. He is currently the executive artistic director of the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, and a regular guest conductor of orchestra, opera, and ballet at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music

Phamie Gow is a singer, composer, harpist, 21st century pianist, film and creative director and international recording artist, producer, and TV/film actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edinburgh University Music Society</span> Student-run musical organisation based in Edinburgh

The Edinburgh University Music Society (EUMS) is a student-run musical organisation based in Edinburgh. Since its founding in 1867, the EUMS has been based within the University of Edinburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">InterSchool Orchestras of New York</span>

The InterSchool Orchestras of New York (ISO) was founded in 1972 by Annabelle F. Prager as a response to the limited opportunities for school children in both public and private schools to play in an orchestra. It has since grown to include three beginning orchestras, an intermediate band, two intermediate orchestras, a symphonic band, and an advanced orchestra. An essential part of its mission is that no child ever be turned away because of lack of financial resources; 50% of its students receive some financial aid, including all members of the top orchestra. Its music director for much of its history was Jonathan Strasser.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Burton (conductor)</span> British conductor and composer

James Burton is a British conductor and composer. He is currently the Boston Symphony Orchestra Choral Director and Conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classical music in Scotland</span>

Classical music in Scotland is all art music in the Western European classical tradition, between its introduction in the eighteenth century until the present day. The development of a distinct tradition of art music in Scotland was limited by the impact of the Scottish Reformation on ecclesiastical music from the sixteenth century. Concerts, largely composed of "Scottish airs", developed in the seventeenth century and classical instruments were introduced to the country. Music in Edinburgh prospered through the patronage of figures including Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. The Italian style of classical music was probably first brought to Scotland by the cellist and composer Lorenzo Bocchi, who travelled to Scotland in the 1720s. The Musical Society of Edinburgh was incorporated in 1728. Several Italian musicians were active in the capital in this period and there are several known Scottish composers in the classical style, including Thomas Erskine, 6th Earl of Kellie, the first Scot known to have produced a symphony.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus, or RSNO Chorus for short, is a choir based in Scotland and founded in 1843. Its main role is to perform alongside the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The chorus holds open rehearsals for potential new members, rehearses on Wednesdays in Glasgow, and has also toured around the world. It is directed by Gregory Batsleer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjory Dougal</span> Scottish youth orchestra administrator (1943–2020)

Marjory Dougal was a highly respected and influential administrator and vice-president of the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra for thirty years.

Nigel Boddice MBE, hon. ARAM was a British trumpet player, conductor and band leader who was prominent in the UK brass band scene. He performed and recorded with many orchestras and bands over his lifetime, including a 20-year tenure as the Section Principal Trumpet of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

References

  1. "West of Scotland Schools Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band". University of Strathclyde. Archived from the original on 5 September 2005.
  2. "Composer supports young musicians" . The Herald . Glasgow. 6 December 1996. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  3. Cowieson, Russell (16 August 1997). "Instrumental Importance" . The Herald. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  4. "West Of Scotland Schools Orchestra Trust, SC029370". Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator . Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  5. "Ensembles are to come into play". The Evening Times . 1 December 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  6. Hewitt, Allan; Allan, Amanda. "Advanced youth music ensembles: Experiences of, and reasons for, participation". International Journal of Music Education . 31 (3): 257–275. doi:10.1177/025576141143449 (inactive 4 January 2025).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of January 2025 (link)
  7. Hughes, Laurence (2 September 1999). "Edinburgh Festival '99 Classical: Oh what a lovely Fringe". The Independent . Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  8. The Edinburgh festival 2004 - Reviews - Music - (N) - 22 out of 74
  9. "Performances". www.martinsuckling.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013.