The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain is delighted to make its season announcement.
During the year, NCO will collaborate with internationally acclaimed conductors including Alpesh Chauhan, Chloe van Soeterstède, and Jonathan Bloxham as well as Creative Producers Tom Redmond, Sarah Freestone and Jonathan James. The year also sees a partnership project with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and ongoing support from media partner Classic FM and supporter ABRSM.
The upcoming spring season of concerts is sure to inspire young musicians and audiences alike.
NCO will perform at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts on Sunday 12 April for a celebration of Pure Indulgence. Conducted by Jonathan Bloxham, Main Orchestra will perform epic and luscious pieces including Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier Suite and Ravel’s tribute to the waltz, La Valse.
Seamlessly weaving musical numbers into a choreographed performance, the Under 13 Orchestra will perform a dance-inspired programme, Movin’ & Shakin’, on Saturday 18 April at The Anvil, Basingstoke. The programme includes Marquez’s Conga del Fuego Nuevo, favourites from Bernstein’s West Side Story and Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances. The orchestra will be conducted by Venezuelan conductor Natalia Luis-Bassa. Together they will demonstrate moves taught to them by choreographer Juan Carlos Maggiorani, Artistic Director of Orquestra Geração, a Sistema programme in Portugal.
Summer highlights feature a concert programme inspired by Romeo and Juliet from NCO’s Main Orchestra. Their star-crossed concert will take place at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on Sunday 2 August conducted by Alpesh Chauhan, Principal Conductor of the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, Parma.
Following the success of last year’s first Side-by-Side Day, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will be hosting young musicians from the Under 13 Orchestra for an interactive session. A key focus of the day will be for children to work on refining their ensemble and listening skills, musical characterisation, physicality and overall musical communication.
The year will culminate with a dazzling winter concert at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on Sunday 6 December. Under the baton of Jonathan Bloxham, NCO’s Main Orchestra will perform thrilling works by Varèse and Prokofiev.
NCO continues to work with an impressive portfolio of creatives and organisations to enhance the learning experience of the 703 young musicians currently in the programme. Behind the scenes, over 100 of the UK’s finest instrumental teachers and professional orchestral players will support NCO’s young musicians. We will also work with some of the most forward thinking and renowned experts in creative practice and child wellbeing.
During 2020, NCO will be partnering with up to ten Music Education Hubs across England to support the growth of its orchestral participation programme so that hundreds more children can take part and experience the joy of orchestral playing for the first time.
NCO will introduce Virtual Hangouts to its residencies, allowing its young musicians the opportunity to take part in digital Q&A sessions with inspirational figures in the music industry. Visiting artist Catrin Finch plans to join NCO for a few days in April to spend time with the young harpists.
The creative learning charity has recently appointed Louise Mitchell – Chief Executive Director of Bristol Music Trust – as the new Chair of Trustees. She joins NCO at a time when the organisation is embarking on an ambitious new strategy to increase diversity and embed wellbeing, creativity and child voice across its orchestral learning programme. Louise will also play a key role in NCO’s relocation to Bristol in 2020 as it seeks to develop partnerships and networks within the city’s thriving education and arts sectors.
Artistic and Educational Director, Catherine Arlidge MBE, commented: “Creating the artistic year at NCO is such a joy. Children come to NCO for experiences they cannot find elsewhere and they are hungry to perform the ambitious music in the programme. We are continually pushing the limits of our potential and creating experiences that take all our young musicians on remarkable journeys.
Throughout 2020, we will focus on the individuality of the children in Surround Sound, our creative music workshops, and through our team of specialist wellness practitioners, we will support their physical and emotional wellbeing. With over 700 children aged 7 to 14 years old in membership this year, there are many voices to be heard and we are ready to listen.”
Dates for your diary
PURE INDULGENCE by Main Orchestra
Sunday 12 April (3pm) at Lighthouse, Poole
Tickets on sale now
MOVIN’ & SHAKIN’ by Under 13 Orchestra
Sunday 18 April (3pm) at The Anvil, Basingstoke
Tickets on sale 4 March
ROMEO AND JULIET by Main Orchestra
Sunday 2 August (6pm) at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Tickets on 20 March
DREAMS, FANTASY, NIGHTMARES by Under 12 Orchestra
Sunday 9 August (6:30pm) at Town Hall, Birmingham
Tickets on sale 1 May
IMAGI-NATION by Under 13 Orchestra
Sunday 16 August at The Anvil, Basingstoke
Tickets on sale 4 March
NCO WINTER CONCERT by Main Orchestra
Sunday 6 December (3pm) at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London
Tickets on sale 3 March
.png?command_1=resize&height_1=85)
