National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain

The National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain (NYWO) consists of around 75 young musicians aged 14 to 21 from England, Scotland and Wales. Members are required to hold a minimum instrument Grade 8 at distinction level and are selected by auditions which take place annually in the autumn at various musical centres across the UK.

Not to be confused with National Youth Wind Ensemble of Great Britain.
National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain
Youth orchestra
Short nameNYWO
Founded1968 (1968)
LocationShrewsbury, United Kingdom
Websitewww.nywogb.com

History, structure, and leadership

The National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain (NYWO) was originally named The British Youth Wind Orchestra[1][2] when founded by clarinettist Eric McGavin in 1968.[3] Stephen Dodgson(Chairman),[4] Andrew McGavin, Robert Montgomery and Leonard Salzedo established it as a charity on 1 January 1986 and registered it with the Charity Commission on 28 February 1986. Formed as the British Youth Wind Orchestra by Eric McGavin (Musical Director 1968–1970) and Harry Legge (Principal Conductor 1968–1989),[5] it was renamed, National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain (NYWO) in 1986. Almost 5,000 young players have enjoyed music making in the orchestra, progressing to study at the UK's conservatoires and working in orchestras, ensembles and organisations music industry. NYWO's Vice Presidents are Andrew McGavin, Timothy Reynish and Prof. Jonathan Freeman-Attwood. Other Directors have included Kit Shepherd (1990 – 2013).

NYWO has conductor Simon Rattle as its patron.[6]

Performances
Duke's Hall Easter Concert 2014; conductor Tijmen Botma

The NYWO has performed at concert venues throughout the country and abroad including St John's, Smith Square, the Royal Albert Hall,[7] Duke's Hall, Cadogan Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Oxford Town Hall, the Zeughaus in Teufen,[8] Ittingen Charterhouse (Switzerland) and the Rudolfinum in Prague (Czech Republic).

It performed at the Royal Albert Hall Promenade Concert 40[9] in the 2012 season and the BBC Proms Millennium Day in 2000 which was organised by Kit Shepherd in conjunction with the BBC. NYWO has also been recorded on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

Courses

During the Easter and summer school holidays, the main orchestra meets for residential courses lasting approximately 9 days each. Tuition is given by professional musicians under the direction of well known international conductors. Tutors have included Paul Harris,[10] Simon de Souza,[11] Neil Crossley,[12] Pete Harrison.[13]

Conductors

Conductors include Glenn D.Price (Canada), Matthew George (America), James Gourlay (Scotland), Colin Touchin (England) 1969–89, Harry Legge OBE (England),[14] Peter Bassano (England), Tijmen Botma (Netherlands), Tourgny Hanson (Sweden), Dr. Robert Childs (Wales).

Composition

NYWO continues to commission new works whenever possible, inviting composers and soloists to work closely with members of the orchestra on new compositions. The orchestra were invited to perform Gavin Higgins's[15] BBC Commission and world premiere, Der Aufstand, to much acclaim for the BBC Promenade Concert 40 in the 2012 season.[16]

Commissions by the NYWO[17]
(pre 1986, the British Youth Wind Orchestra)
YearWorkComposer
1972Introduction & Rondo (clarinet choir)Gordon Jacob
1974Work for clarinet choirEdwin Roxburgh
1974Wind SymphonyStephen Dodgson
1976Concerto for Wind OrchestraDavid Morgan
Tonada Sefardita (clarinet choir)Leonard Salzedo
1977Symphony 8 The Four ElementsWilfred Josephs
Epigrams from a Garden (sop & Cl choir)Stephen Dodgson
1979ProcessionesLeonard Salzedo
1980Scenes from an imaginary BalletGraham Williams
1983SinfoniettaDerek Bourgeois
1984UltramarineJohn Hopkins
1985East Coast SketchesNigel Hess
1986QuietGordon Crosse
19871984Dominic Muldowney
1988Concert DancesHoward Blake
1991Theatre FountainGary Carpenter
1992Sinfonietta no 2Philip Sparke
Symphony Our Hopes like Towering FalconsColin Touchin
BandwagonStephen Dodgson
1994Scenes from BreugelAdam Gorb[18]
2008Gilded TheatreKenneth Hesketh[19]

Charitable trust

NYWO is a registered charity no. 327024.[20] Current trustees are Mr Paul Harris,[21] Dr. Ursula Jones OBE, Dr. Robert Childs & Mr. Roger Minty.

This orchestra relies wholly on charitable donations, gifts and sponsorship. Funding is an essential requirement for the orchestra to continue, particularly in assisting young musicians to attend the bi-annual courses and to ensure the continuity of high quality tutors.

Charles Hine is an Education Trust and Council member

See also

References
  1. Brown, John Robert (18 June 2005). "NYWO". Classical Music Magazine. Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
  2. "NYWO Biography". Classic fm. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
  3. McGavin, Eric. "History". Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  4. Reynish, Tim. "Stephen Dodgson NYWO". BASBWE.net. BASBWE. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02.
  5. Emerson, June (2000-08-07). "Harry Legge obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-07-27.
  6. "Message from our patron NYWO". www.nywogb.com.
  7. The Royal Albert Hall
  8. Poster for NYWO concert, Zeughaus in Teufen (AR), 13 August 2013
  9. "Prom 40: National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain & National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain". BBC Music Events.
  10. NYWO Tutor – Paul Harris
  11. NYWO Tutor – Simon de Souza Archived 2013-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
  12. NYWO Tutor – Neil Crossley
  13. "Focus Courses – The National Youth Wind Orchestra". www.nywogb.com.
  14. Emerson, June (7 August 2000). "Harry Legge". The Guardian.
  15. "Gavin Higgins". www.gavinhiggins.com.
  16. "BBC Proms" (Press release). BBC. July 2012. Archived from the original on 2014-08-31. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  17. Reynish, Timothy. "NYWO Compositions" (PDF). BASBWE.net. BASBWE. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  18. "Adam Gorb". www.timreynish.com.
  19. "Kenneth Hesketh". www.timreynish.com.
  20. "THE NATIONAL YOUTH WIND ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN :: OpenCharities". opencharities.org.
  21. "Paul Harris – Biography". www.fabermusic.com.
  • NYWO Archives
  • National Youth Wind Orchestra Published Programmes

Sources
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