National Youth Orchestra 2006

National Youth Orchestra 2006

The NZSO National Youth Orchestra will embark on their annual week of music making in August under renowned English conductor, Simon Streatfeild and featuring this years young Composer-in-residence, Aucklander Claire Cowan. The orchestra will perform in three centres with players coming from all around the country and as far a field as Brisbane, Australia - where three are students at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.

Pascale Parenteau, manager of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra is excited about the diversity of the orchestra this year and says; "We had more applicants than ever and it is really exciting to also introduce an Australian Youth Orchestra player into the mix. This allows us to offer repertoire not available to regional youth orchestras as we are able to fulfil any player shortfall through this new scheme, while still maintaining our reputation as the premium NZ national youth orchestra."

A new initiative, the NYO/Australian Youth Orchestra Player Exchange, seeks to build on an already existing relationship with the AYO by providing the opportunity for three NZ National Youth Orchestra members to attend the AYO National Music Camp to be held in January 2007 in exchange for one young Australian to participate in the NZSO NYO in 2006.

Former AYO player in 2004 & 2006 season, Jindalee-born Andrew Kopittke, 21, has been appointed Co-Principal Horn for the NYO under this scheme, he will also feature in the NYO recitals in Wellington and Christchurch in the Mozart Horn Quintet. The three students currently studying at the Queensland Conservatorium are Nicholas Thin (Violin), Shandelle Horsford (Double bass) and Melissa Carter (Clarinet).

Christchurch-born violinist, Ben Morrison has been appointed Concertmaster. Morrison has already made a name for himself as a performer and recording artist, having released his debut CD in 2003 as well headlining a 10-centre tour around America the same year. A former Burnside High School pupil, he will be joined in the orchestra by seven other current and former pupils of Burnside.

There is also a large representation from Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin as well as young orchestral players from Nelson, Hamilton and Whangarei.

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The Music
One of the most famous pieces in the orchestral repertoire, Beethoven's Egmont Overture will open these special concerts. The colourful and evocative orchestration of Strauss' famous opera, Der Rosenkavalier will be preceded by the world premiere of Trains of Thinking by Claire Cowan, this year's NYO Composer-in-residence. Trains of Thinking follows a journey, represented by music, of thought patterns, slowly evolving, and changing track at will.

The concert will culminate with a performance of Shostakovich's electrifying tenth symphony. Often regarded as the greatest symphony from the greatest symphonist of the mid-20th century, this work was written soon after the death of Stalin and is commonly interpreted as the triumph of the composer over the oppressive age of Stalinism.

Composer-in-residence, Claire Cowan
Claire Cowan was selected from 21 promising applicants, ranging in age between 17 and 24, and included composers from Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Tauranga and Wellington. The selection panel consisted of James Judd (NZSO Music Director), Hamish McKeich (NZSO Associate Conductor), John Psathas (Composer at the New Zealand School of Music) and Kenneth Young (former NZSO Tuba player, conductor and composer).

Pascale Parenteau comments, "This is a really unique competition - there is none like it in New Zealand! It's a brilliant way to find new compositional talent and encourage our young New Zealand composers while complementing the wider New Zealand music strategy of the NZSO."

Claire began to compose at 12 years old, and at 16, produced her first orchestral work "Drift." At 17, she composed ''Drums of Mars" which won the Auckland Philharmonia Young Composers competition. Since then, her compositions have been performed by the Auckland Philharmonia, the Manakau City Symphony, the Netherlands Blazer Ensemble, the Wellington Youth Orchestra, and the Auckland Youth Orchestra. Her music has also been performed throughout New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Europe. More information at www.clairesmusic.com

Conductor - Simon Streatfeild
Originally a distinguished violist, Simon Streatfeild was Principal Viola of the London Symphony Orchestra - English/Canadian Simon Streatfeild turned to conducting some thirty-five years ago. He spent three years as conductor of the Regina Symphony in Canada, and from 1983 to 1991 as conductor of the Quebec Symphony. Streatfeild helped to found the celebrated Academy of St.Martin-in-the-Fields, formed in 1959 by several distinguished musicians including Sir Neville Marriner.

His dedication to the development of young musicians has recently seen him involved in conducting concerts with the Camerata Orchestra of the University of Indiana at Bloomington, and at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has fulfilled the role of Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada on many occasions, most recently in the summer of 2003.
NZSO NYO recitals and masterclass
A new initiative sought to maximize available resources by utilizing the combined talents of Ben Morrison, this year concertmaster and the NYO principals, both in concert at the Christchurch Arts Centre and at St. Andrew's-on-the-Terrace, Wellington, and in an open masterclass with NYO conductor Simon Streatfeild. Ben Morrison will perform with some of principals a full recital including Mozart: Horn Quintet, Sonatine for two violins by Martinu and a commission NZ work by Claire Cowan for the NYO percussion section.
Wellington Christchurch
St.Andrew's-on-the-Terrace The Arts Centre Friday Lunchtime Concert Series
Date: Wednesday 30 August Date: Friday 1 September
Time: 12:15pm Time: 1:10pm

Programme
NZSO NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Tuesday 29 August at 7.00pm Michael Fowler Centre Wellington
Thursday 31 August at 7.00pm Town Hall Christchurch
Saturday 2 September at 7.00pm Town Hall Auckland

NZSO National Youth Orchestra

Simon Streatfeild- Conductor

BEETHOVEN Egmont Overture
CLAIRE COWAN Trains of Thinking (world premiere by Composer-in-residence)
STRAUSS Der Rosenkavalier- Suite
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No 10

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