The NCO Winter Concert is always a magical affair – and this year was no different. Members of the Main and Under 13 Orchestras had an abundance of achievements to celebrate – individually and as a whole – and the event was a fantastic conclusion to 2016.
On Sunday 11 December, the Barbican Centre was full to the brim with Christmas cheer and NCO supporters. Roger Clarkson and Guest Conductor, Natalia Luis-Bassa, shone on stage as they conducted NCO’s two oldest orchestras in a glittering concert. The evening was a chance for the young musicians to proudly show off their talents and determination after working extremely hard all year. We invited NCO alumnus Phill Tromans to write a review of the concert which is available to read here.
Praise for the performance came in floods. Main Orchestra member, Joshua Law, commented: “I’m so happy to have been part of NCO - I've learnt so much and made so many friends that I'll definitely keep in touch with”.
Helen Burton from Glasgow said: “What a fabulous concert! It was certainly worth the long journey to hear such wonderful talent. Well done everyone!”
Pepi Koutsomitropoulou thought it was an “amazing” concert. “Well done to all the young musicians and our sincere thanks to the conductors and teachers,” she added.
Michela Cocolin, parent of a Main Orchestra member, said: “Thank you, Roger, Natalia and all the rest of the NCO family for making James’s last NCO concert such a memorable one! Our emotions are all over the place at the moment”.
Five prizes were given out during the concert to members of the orchestras. They were:
· Tom de Csilléry, recipient of the Dame Ruth Railton Memorial Prize
· Samantha Burley, recipient of the Vivienne Price Memorial Award for the most outstanding audition
· Christie Smith, recipient of the Liz Rorison Memorial Prize
· Donetta Cook, recipient of the Kathy Ludlow Viola Prize
· Jessica Ellis, recipient of the Peter Clarke Memorial Trophy
Top: Main Orchestra © Bill Hiskett
