Feedback from CBSO professionals has been overwhelmingly positive following the NCO Side-by-Side on Sunday 10 November.
The young musicians from the Under 13 Orchestra were presented with a brilliant opporunity to learn from CBSO professionals earlier this month. Conducted by Ben Gernon, Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the NCO children and 18 professionals spent a day learning from each other, playing fantastic music and having a brilliant time whilst doing so. A highlight of the afternoon was watching the NCO members teaching their spring choreography to the CBSO members --- can you guess how well they did?!
“A great time was had by all when NCO and CBSO sat Side by Side! It was fun to take repertoire that we know well [selections from The Planets] and to help the children get as much drama and excitement out of it as possible." commented Bryony Morrison, 2nd Violinist in the CBSO. "We gave a couple of demonstrations and made some suggestions, but the most important learning was nonverbal. Skills like awareness and matching, projection and blending, and concentration and rehearsal etiquette are best picked up by doing, rather than showing."
NCO's Artistic and Educational Director, Catherine Arlidge found the day to be inspirational for all involved. She remarked, "Witnessing the interaction between the musicians and seeing the observational radar of the children in action was wonderful. Learning in this way is so quick and powerful and transformed the sound of the Under 13 Orchestra. I know the children took a huge amount away from the day but the CBSO players were also inspired."
Julian Atkinson, CBSO's Principal Double Bass said, “You could feel the NCO members’ enthusiasm to learn. The example of the CBSO musicians proved to be an inspiring combination for everyone involved. I felt the inspiration we professionals provided was particularly around quality of sound and projection - something that takes years to learn, but can be experienced in an afternoon. I could definitely feel this making a difference around the room.”
“It was a wonderful experience to work with the incredibly talented young musicians of the NCO," commented Jonathan Martindale, Associate Leader of CBSO. "The sheer joy and energy of their music making is truly infectious! I felt that this day was a shared experience that was beneficial and rewarding to all involved.”
The event was a huge success and we look forward to continuing NCO's partnership with CBSO - beginning with plans to host another Side-by-Side with next year's Under 13 Orchestra. Thank you CBSO!
