Sunday 27 July 2014

Jake & Lloyd offer an insight into the world of the NYOW Low Brass


Spending the day in sectionals with the lower brass rumbling away, really did clear out the cobwebs of first night on campus. Deep in the heart of the campus, we began with a tribute to the mighty John Hendy who couldn’t be here but who sent a dep by the name of Roger Argente. He has let us into his cerebral palace (trombonists can use big words too) and introduced us to the nine pillars of lower brass playing. Our leader in combat says he’s fatigued but fighting notes way up in the stratosphere.

Last night was tutor’s night. Tutor’s night is where the whole orchestra have a 3 course sit down meal and is a time where the orchestra members can say a massive thank you to the help we have received from our tutor’s. Of course this means that this is the opportune time to announce the winner of the “tickle stick” competition. For those who are unaware of what the tickle stick is, imagine using the stick of  plunger with colourful feathers at the top (ideal for tickling). For reasons that I cannot explain, I think it would be inappropriate to share the joke on this blog… however, the winner of the coveted tickle stick was the one and only – Mr Roger Argente. He very sportingly shared the joke among the orchestra and finished with a glorious lap around the tables tickling away.  The most important thing was that a spectacular night was had by all!

(Jake and Lloyd)

Yr Ail Diwrnod CGIC 2014 / 2nd Day of NYOW 2014

Day 2 sees the NYOW members getting stuck into sectional rehearsals with our excellent team of tutors. We also managed to grab the thoughts of our new member of Welfare and Mabon from the Viola section:

Double Basses with Richard Lewis


NYOW Violas (Steve Broom Tutor)


Profiad anhygoel ydy cael gweithio mor agos gyda‘r tiwtoriaid. Mae’n wych fod y tywydd yn braf hefyd! Dyma’r ceiriosen ar ben y gacen.
Mabon Llŷr - Viola
Oboes with John Anderson

Low Brass with Roger Argente

1st Violin Section


Catrin David Jones with the 2nd Violins

NYOW Harps with stand-in tutor Daniel De-Fry


Mark Jordan with the Clarinet Section

NYOW Trumpets with Rhys Owens

Huw Jenkins and the Horn Section

NYOW Cellos


Meyrick Alexander putting the Bassoons through their paces


The NYOW Flute section (Ken Smith tutor)


New members of the Welfare Team: Gemma Williams & Laura Murphy



"It’s the second day of rehearsals at Lampeter and there is a real buzz in the air. As I walk around the campus I can hear the most amazing sounds escaping from every room. It is exciting to know that at the end of the day, we will capture the magic and create the most wonderful music I have ever been able to experience. It is my first year working for NYOW as part of the Welfare Team and I feel extremely privileged to be part of this truly fantastic course."

Gemma Williams – Welfare Team

Thursday 24 July 2014

Aelodau Newydd CGIC 2014 / New Members NYOW 2014

On Tuesday evening we welcomed all our first timers to the NYOW, welcoming them into the Nash Family. Here they are with their Section Principals:


Flutes: Charlotte Thomas, Cathy Hare (Princ),
Jack Mainwaring

Oboes: Catrin Round with Tom Blomfield (Princ)
 

Clarinets: Osian Dance, Joss Smith (Princ),
Catrin Howells

Bassoons: Lucy Millership & Angharad Thomas (Princ)
 
 
 
 
1st Violins: Emily Olsen, Bethan Allmand (Leader), Louie McIver
 
2nd Violins: Abigail Gwynn, Emily Jones, Daire Roberts (Princ), Kate Marsden,
Benjamin Isaac, Eliott Curtis, Emily Davies
 
Violas: Mabon Llyr, Bridget Mansfield (Princ), Nansi Dingle
 
Cellos: Alistair Noden, Bryn Tawton, Osian Jones, Sophie Nash (Princ),
Carys Hall, Emily Thornton, Elin Haf Taylor
 
Double Basses: Nellie Chadwick Smith, Richard Walsh,
Martin Ludenbach (Princ), Megan Howe

Horns: Erin Hassan, Jack Sewter (Princ), Alys Jones
 
 
Trumpets: Gwyn Owen (Princ), Rhys Jones

Trombones: Josh Pennar, Jake Durham (Princ)

Percussion: James McPherson, Richard Cartlidge (Princ)



Composers: Ryan Howells (Joint Princ), Tomos Nicholls,
Charlotte Eaton-Jones (Joint Princ)

Harps: Eluned Hollyman & Rhiain Dyer (Princ)


Wednesday 23 July 2014

First Day of NYOW 2014 / Diwrnod Cyntaf CGIC 2014

Date / Dyddiad: 22/07/14

Cwrs Preswyl Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Ieuenctid Cymru 2014 /
National Youth Orchestra of Wales Summer Residency 2014

Prifysgol Cymru, Y Drindod Dewi Sant, Llanbedr Pont Steffan
University of Wales, Trinity St David, Lampeter

Following registration the day started with a full team meeting:



Sectional rehearsals followed and then the first full rehearsal of the Residency, led by rehearsal conductor Adrian Dunn

 
Then we welcomed our 'Nash Newbies' before an evening of relaxing, catching up with old friends and making some new ones!