Win tickets as excitement builds for NYOS spring concert
The best of young Scottish musical talent is back on stage with an exciting new season which showcases performers from across its classical and jazz ensembles – to challenge and inspire.
Flagship ensemble, the NYOS Symphony Orchestra, has over 100 of the most gifted young orchestral players from across Scotland – aged between 18 to 25-years-old. Their incredible talent will be matched by BBC Young Musician 2016 finalist Jess Gillam, in John Harle’s vibrant and dynamic concerto for soprano saxophone.
The concerto is programmed alongside a selection of richly orchestrated 20th century masterpieces, including Respighi’s exquisitely atmospheric and career-defining Fountains of Rome. The concert, on April 15th at Usher Hall, Edinburgh and April 16th at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, will be conducted by Kerem Hasan, winner of the prestigious Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award.
NYOS chief executive Kirsteen Davidson Kelly said: “We are thrilled to be joined by the hugely talented Jess Gillam. The concerto Briggflatts is an epic tapestry of orchestral colour based on Basil Bunting’s eponymous poem. It will be such a treat to see such young talent back on stage, where they belong.”
Competition
One lucky concert fan can win a pair of free tickets to see NYOS Symphony Orchestra perform live with saxophonist Jess Gillam conducted by Kerem Hasan at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, 7.30pm on Friday 15 April. To enter the competition simply fill in your name and email address before Friday 24 March. Only one entry allowed per email address. The lucky winner will be contacted via email on Monday 28 March.
The performance is one of the highlights from a full programme of NYOS Spring Concerts, which can be seen here.
NYOS Junior Orchestra will perform an entire symphony, a real feat for its accomplished younger players. NYOS Senior Orchestra adopts a new form in 2022, reimagined as a chamber-sized orchestra. This will introduce its musicians to a new orchestral setting, with more opportunities for solo playing and a more intimate, conversational style of music-making.
The NYOS 2022 programme also features some of the very best orchestral and jazz repertoire, including Ravel’s relentlessly inventive Daphnis et Chloé Suites Nos.1 & 2, a rare opportunity for NYOS Senior Orchestra to perform a Beethoven symphony as a chamber-sized ensemble, and The Oak by Florence Price, the first American woman of colour to have her work performed by a major orchestra in the 1930s.
Kirsteen Davidson Kelly added: “Under the guidance of exceptional instrumental tutors from across Scotland, our players will perform alongside world-class soloists, conductors and guest artists, including violist and BBC New Generation Artist Timothy Ridout, and Natalia Luis-Bassa, a renowned leader in youth music and Professor of Conducting at the Royal College of Music, who returns to conduct the Junior Orchestra for a third year.”
The programme also explores contemporary repertoire with NYOS Senior Orchestra performing Jupiter’s Fairground, a concert overture by British composer Eleanor Alberga, whose work is celebrated internationally for its emotional impact, depth of craft, brilliant colouring and orchestration.
In 2022, NYOS celebrates 30 years of jazz and acknowledges a long history of prestigious national and international performances with some of the world’s best jazz musicians. Following the Jazz Summer School in the breathtaking surroundings on the Isle of Skye, NYOS Jazz Orchestra embarks on a Scottish tour, performing special arrangements by this year’s artist in residence, pianist Julian Joseph.
Alongside this year’s performances, NYOS will continue its projects in schools and communities across Scotland, including its current ambassador programme of training and work opportunities for recent music graduates.
For details of the NYOS 2022 programme visit www.nyos.co.uk