The NCO 2017 year has been kicked off in style by our three senior orchestras who performed their Spring Concerts this month with vigour and passion.
Main Orchestra arrived at Colston Hall on Saturday 8 April ready to dazzle the audience in Bristol. Conductor Howard Williams had been working with the young musicians for a full week of intensive rehearsals – which certainly paid off.
The orchestra demonstrated a mature technical understanding of the tricky repertoire, and relished their chance to show off how far their skills have developed since we last saw them in December as the NCO 2016 Under 13 Orchestra.
To whet the audience’s appetite, the brass sections, percussionists and harpists gave a pre-concert performance in the foyer area of Colston Hall. David Whitson conducted the collective in a sublime rendition of Louis Prima’s Sing Sing Sing.
Inside, the musicians took the auditorium on a colourful tour to Hungary (Kodaly – Hary Janos Suite), Vienna (Ravel – la Valse) and the UK capital (Vaughan-Williams – A London Symphony (Symphony No. 2)). Applause for the young performers was rapturous and one supporter of the orchestras remarked that the Main Orchestra’s appointment at Colston Hall was the “best NCO performance” he has ever seen.
The following day, the spotlight was firmly on the Under 13 Orchestra who would be performing afternoon springtime magic at The Anvil, Basingstoke. The orchestra had a feast of musical delights up their sleeves including Wagner’s Prelude to Act 1 from Die Meistersinger von Numberg, Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Williams’ Harry Potter Symphonic Suite and Curtis’ Paths to Urbino.
Conductor Peter Stark directed the orchestra in a brilliant performance which featured exceptional solos and inspired a well-deserved standing ovation for all of the performers.
Praise for the young musicians came in on social media. John Dunscombe said: “Absolutely amazing. With eyes closed one could have been listening to a professional orchestra. Well done!”
The Under 13 Orchestra certainly have a lot to be proud of. We look forward to seeing more of them later on this year.
On Saturday 15 April. Port Regis School was a popular place to be when NCO’s Under 12 Orchestra gave their Spring Concert performance for family and friends. Conductor Alex Laing had been working for a full week with the young musicians, and they had plenty of music to get their teeth stuck into!
The audience were treated to Copland’s Our Town, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 and Williams’s Selections from E.T., amongst others. Their performances were sublime, and it has certainly got us excited for the Under 12 Orchestra’s public concert this summer at Town Hall Birmingham on Sunday 6 August.
Top: Main Orchestra © Bill Hiskett
Above: Under 13 Orchestra © Bill Hiskett
