Eighty of North Wales’ finest young musicians who successfully auditioned for the prestigious North Wales Youth Orchestra will perform two special concerts this weekend.
The cream of North Wales’ musical crop will be performing under the baton of esteemed conductor Gareth John. The first concert will be held at William Aston Hall, Wrexham, on Friday, August 26th at 7pm with the second at Pritchard Jones Hall Bangor on Saturday, August 27th at 7pm.
The two concerts are held as a grand finale to a week long residential course which will see participants attend master classes with professional tutors from some of the UK’s most respected orchestras including the London Philharmonic, Halle, BBC Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
Conducting the North Wales Youth Orchestra brings Gareth John full circle – it was nearly 30 years ago that he followed in his father’s footsteps as cello tutor with the NWYO.
An acclaimed cello player, he regularly appears as principal cellist with leading Scottish orchestras, as well as concerto soloist with the Aberdeen Sinfonietta and the Aberdeen Chamber Orchestra and was named as first resident conductor of the Aberdeen Chamber Orchestra.
“It’s a fabulous experience working with young, talented and enthusiastic people who are committed beyond belief. This is the third time I’ve conducted this orchestra so I must enjoy it”.
“The week is very intense because they work solidly from 9am to 9pm, more than any professional orchestra would, but they all thrive on it. It’s a voyage of discovery for us all, we discover the music and deal with issues together as a group, that way the results are much more satisfying.
“The programme is very demanding, probably the most demanding for years, but very exciting and emotional. This is the first time many of them will have performed such demanding pieces of music but the results have been astounding. This is a talented bunch of musicians who will wow the audiences this weekend.”
The North Wales Youth Orchestra aims to provide a high standard of instrumental experience and prepare young people for the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.
Aled Marshman, North Wales Youth Orchestra Manager, said: “It’s wonderful that these youngsters can have the experience of working with professional tutors and perform such complex pieces of music. Young musicians in North Wales are at a disadvantage in getting into national ensembles because there is no intermediate orchestra so this orchestra acts as that important transition between the county orchestras and the national ensembles.”
“I’m very pleased with how the week has gone and we’re all looking forward to both concerts this weekend,” said Aled who was himself a member of the orchestra in his youth.
Coming from all six counties, the 83 strong musicians are all under 21 and many of them are still at school. Through their county orchestras and regional ensembles they have successfully auditioned to become members of this orchestra.
Among them is Elin Roberts, 19 from Caernarfon, who has been playing the flute since she was nine years old. “Getting to work with professional tutors and playing alongside such talented musicians is an amazing experience,” she says.
Dewi Jones has been playing the French horn for nine years and has attended the North Wales Youth Orchestra annually since 2005. “It’s a very intense course but it gives me the opportunity to play amazing music with an amazing orchestra,” said the 18 year old from Llangefni. “I love coming here because it gives me a chance to meet new people and see old friends that I’ve made here over the years.”
One of the more senior members is 20 year old clarinet player Gabriel Banks from Llandegla,“This is my second year and I absolutely love it, “ said Gabriel. “I’m looking forward to both concerts as it will give us a chance to showcase what we’ve been working on throughout the week. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s a brilliant opportunity to perform in front of an audience.”
Gareth Allmand, 18 from Wrexham, has been playing the viola for six years and has been member of the orchestra since 2008. “Being able to meet likeminded people who are interested in music is ace, and then being allowed to perform such demanding pieces of music with them is very satisfying.”
The orchestra will perform Sibelius’ wonderfully evocative Symphony no. 2, Alun Hoddinott’s Investiture Dances and the orchestral tour de force ‘The Firebird’ by Stravinsky.
Tickets for both performances will be available on the door and are priced at £8 with children under 16 free of charge.
