“The work that you have done to help young musicians get a foothold in the incredibly difficult world of the orchestral musician is recognised amongst players across the country…..”
Janice Graham – Assistant Leader of the London Symphony Orchestra, Leader of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
We held two courses in 1998 with performances at the Philharmonic Hall and the Adelphi Hotel (Liverpool), the Barbican and the Royal Festival Hall in London. The courses involved 150 students from music colleges and universities all over the country. Tutors from the major professional orchestras coached the instrumentalists in works by Strauss, Rossini, Elgar, Holst and Shostakovich which were then played to combined audiences of over eight thousand.
“The string section of this fine young team was, not surprisingly, in fine fettle throughout a programme that culminated in what was almost certainly the most compelling account of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 4 yet heard from anybody in the hall – not excluding the various Russian and other European visitors and the CBSO.”
Coventry Evening Telegraph
“The Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra represents the realisation of an ambition I have had for some time – that the musicians of this orchestra be drawn not only from the most eminent Conservatoires in England but that it be an orchestra represnting the whole of the British Isles, Ireland and beyond. Their audiences will be treated to an integrated body of musicians incorporating the great cultural strands which compose these green islands.
I am happy that this more than national orchestra is now in existence and will continue, I pray, for years to come to bring to out audiences the most wonderful music played in a most wonderful way by our young people.”
Lord Menuhin – President of the YMSO until his death in 1999.
“The orchestra has been an inspiration and provided a wealth of experience for young musicians for as long as I can remember…..I will remember the richness that it has bought to my playing with affection.”
John Harle – Saxophone/Composer
“I found the YMSO to be the training orchestra with the most professional outlook…..The extensive range of large symphonic music that the orchestra is prepared to tackle is a unique opportunity for the members. Now, as a regular tutor of the orchestra, I endeavour to continue the traditions that were so invaluable to me in the past.”
Gerry Ruddock, Trumpet, LSO
“I certainly found the YMSO….an extremely valuable experience and a great help in my developments as an orchestral player as well as an all round musician.”
Graham Salvage, Principal Bassoon, Halle Orchestra
“these students represent the next generation of orchestra musicians who will continue our great classical tradition into the new millennium. The orchestra needs all your support and encouragement.”
