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16 February 2024
More than 60 children from across the local area joined forces to deliver a spectacular orchestral concert that was the culmination of an intensive weekend of learning from professional musicians.
The Swan Youth Orchestra weekend course was the first time since the orchestra’s launch that talented youngsters were given a platform to perform, thanks to the unique partnership between Orchestra of the Swan, Warwick Schools Foundation and the Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Music Hubs.
With more than 60 pupils involved from over 30 schools, the first weekend course highlighted a clear enthusiasm for orchestral music shared by many young people across the region. The weekend was open to all music pupils in Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull with ensemble experience and working at Grade 6 or above.
Based on the Warwick Schools Foundation Warwick site, the Foundation’s exceptional facilities – including the King’s High Music Auditorium and Warwick Hall – provided a place for the Youth Orchestra to meet, practice and perform. The Swan Youth Orchestra was also supported by the Warwickshire Music Education Trust.
Over the course of the weekend, the professional Swan Orchestra players led a series of coaching sessions for each instrumental group. The pupils were also mentored by tutors from the three music hubs, representing a unique opportunity for the pupils to develop their orchestral skills in a practical environment with like-minded musicians. The weekend ended with a spectacular concert at Warwick Hall on Sunday evening, featuring music pieces such as La Rotta, John Williams Concert Suite from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and the 1st movement from Brahms 2nd Symphony. With all pupils involved performing exceptionally, it was a fantastic showcase of their musical talent.
The Youth Orchestra’s first weekend course was the first outward-facing showcase for the ongoing mission of both Orchestra of the Swan and Warwick Schools Foundation; to provide a centre of musical excellence for real-life, unique orchestral experiences that is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain for many children across the country. The Swan Youth Orchestra will involve two weekend courses a year, with the second course of this year taking place in October. The Youth Orchestra has been developed in this way in response to a growing need, especially amongst more advanced learners, for short, intensive course-based opportunities rather than weekly rehearsal commitments.
Debbie Jagla, Managing Director at Orchestra of the Swan, reflected on the weekend:
“The energy and excitement around our Swan Youth Orchestra weekend was palpable, with participants from 33 regional schools buzzing with success after the final performance showcasing their work.
“What they achieved in just two days was bordering on miraculous, with an utter transformation from a group of 61 youngsters who didn’t really know each other, to a homogenous group that embraced the joy of playing together to such a high standard.
We are immensely proud of what they achieved. Roll on our next weekend course on October 5th/6th 2024!”
Richard Nicholson, Principal of Warwick Schools Foundation, said:
“Warwick Schools Foundation are immensely proud to be the home of such a unique and valuable opportunity for young musicians across the region, and it was fantastic to see the resounding success of the first weekend course.
Seeing the shared enthusiasm for orchestral music from all pupils involved - including Foundation pupils from Warwick School and King’s High School – was a delight, and the concert at Warwick Hall on Sunday evening was truly exceptional. I am delighted that this unique partnership has created a new and lasting opportunity for like-minded, gifted young musicians from across the region to come together and share their love of performing. It demonstrated the immense talent in the area, which we are committed to nurturing.
We look forward to the further development of the Youth Orchestra during the next weekend course in October”.
