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Aschaffenburg 2010Sat 10th July - Perth Youth Orchestra has arrived in Ascaffenburg, Perth's twin city in Bavaria. The city has extended a most generous welcome to the orchestra. The hotel, located a few kilometres from outside the city, is surrounded by idyllic rolling countryside. Its richly wooded grounds, with a wide panoramic view to the hills, the food and accommodation is excellent!  On our first full day we were accompanied by local high school pupils on a conducted tour of the principal sights in the ancient city. Aschaffenburg's city has made our path smooth by involving the orchestra in Museumsnacht festival - on occasion which saw thousands of guests attacted by culture, good food and drink. Our opening concert had to be delay by one hour - after our instrument van found itself caught up in the heavy holiday traffic on the autobahns. Despite a frantic unloading (a record 40 minutes from lorry to stage, a shortened concert was possible. Andrew Forbes (piano), Finlay Turnbull (xylophone) and Rachel Steele (cello) were our soloists in a richly varied symphonic programme which open with the Arnold Four Scottish Dances. The spectacular opening was enhanced by highland dancers, Kirsty Paterson-Hunter, Heather Sadler, Rachel Clark and Becky Graham. The city's Freundeskreis Perth group met members of the orchestra - and were the perfect hosts at the Museumsnacht festival which followed. On Saturday - the temperature soared to 37°C - with the promise of more to come. Morning concerts in the Marketplatz and City Galleries meant more heavy loading duties - and the orchestra's teamwork is magnificent in the face of the scorching sun. No heatstroke casualties - or excessive sunburn - just one of two bumps and bruises. At the Wertheim Village Shopping Outlet all PYO's small groups had an opportunity to show off the huge range of talents which can be found within the orchestra. Time now to celebrate the safe arrival of our president, martyn glenville-sutherland, whose sponsored cycle journey across the continent promised to make a significant contribution to our tour fund. martyn arrived at 8pm this evening - complete with his triumphant yellow shirt.
Sunday 11th - concert in Aschaffenburg's Schontal Park this morning. All ensembles played to a very large and appreciative crowd. We are gathering a group of regulars, and there is a big interest in hearing the full orchestra when we play in Christuskircke tomorrow evening (1930hrs). Freundeskreis Perth treated us to the finest schnitzel at the historic Roter Kopf. This was followed by a trip to Aschaffenburg swimming pool - with a welcome chance to play in the water. In the diving pool more than one maiden dive was performed - as the orchestra perfected the art of plunging - even from the top board - into the water below. Monday 12th - In a change to our arranged programme we do not plan to go on a conducted tour of Frankfurt's impressive 'Manhatten' city centre - with its 19 skyscapers. Instead we are off in search of an oasis of coolth in the nearby countryside - at Shandbad Spessartblick - more water - shade - and PYO fun - before the afternoon's barbecue and then our next orchestral concert at 7.30pm in Christuskirche. The attendance at Christuskirche was small but enthusiastic - with some suggesting that the 'free' ticketed concert had not promoted itself well. The music critic of the Main Echo was among those who were delighted by the orchestra's fine playing. Tuesday 13th -A civic reception today with the Uber Burgermeister, Klaus Herzog. Time to meet and thank our hosts who have done so much to make us welcome and to adapt our plans to the unseasonly high temperatures! Wurzburg's Marketplatz is the setting for a festival marking the city's Celtic roots. Scottish and Irish elements of our programme perfectly compliment the celebrations. PYO ceilidh night was attended by members of Freundeskreis Perth who brought a group of Ascaffenburg's finest pipers for our entertainment. The PYO Big Band almost won an ASBO from the surrounding villages - but it was SO GOOD. For a few, the party continued throughout the night! Wednesday 14th -Time to pack and travel today. Said farewell to Alice - our courier - and wished her well for her job interview. |
WELCOME
PYO Chief PatronThanks to Su-a Lee and Jan Waterfield who played in support of PYO Tour Fund on Tuesday 29th June, 7.30pm in St John's Academy Hall, Gowans Terrace, Perth, PH1 5BR. Su-a's concert was warmly received by a appreciate and well-informed audince. "It is a great honour to be asked to become the Chief Patron of Perth Youth Orchestra. I owe a lot of my own musical development to youth orchestras, having made my way up through all four county youth orchestras in Bedfordshire, and having spent many years coaching the youth orchestras of Iceland and Cambridgeshire. Youth orchestras are the place where I learned many of the skills that have equipped me for life, and not just in a musical sense. I enjoy nothing better than teamwork!" "I was delighted to attend your concert at Central Halls and was most impressed by your music-making. I am also very excited at the prospect of getting to know you all a little better in the near future. Wishing you all the best for a very exciting new season!" Born in Seoul, Korea, Su-a Lee was given a full-scholarship to attend Chetham's School of Music in Manchester at the age of 9. She was then given a full-scholarship place to study with Harvey Shapiro at the Juilliard School in New York, where she received her Bachelor's degree. Whilst there she performed regularly with a piano trio and a string quartet, often performing for Juilliard showcase events. Since graduating from the Juilliard School, she has been a member of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for almost ten years. She is also a founder member of the group Mr McFall's Chamber, which started as a string quartet whose initial idea was to introduce classical music to non-classical listeners by taking contemporary music to the late night club scene in Edinburgh. After huge success the group has since expanded to eight members including bass, piano, percussion and vocals, performing a diverse repertoire, ranging from cartoon classics, through progressive rock and tango nuevo. In August 2009, Su-A Lee graciously, and enthusiastically accepted our invitation to join Sir Peter Maxwell-Davies, Master of the Queen's Music as a Chief Patron of our orchestra. Perth Youth Orchestra is in its 48th year. Founded in 1962, the orchestra is a registered charity in Scotland. PYO is sustained both by the young players desire to excel and by its determination to succeed. The orchestra rehearses each Monday evening, from October to April, supported by Perth and Kinross Council. Perth Youth Orchestra is a registered charitable organisation and the funds it raises help to support the purchase of instruments and musical scores, as well as the services of its conductor and instrumental tutors at rehearsals and concerts- at the Perth Festival of the Arts, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and in a variety of concerts throughout the year at home and abroad. |
Loading up for their tour to Germany next week - PYO players prepare to travel light as Aberdeen's Shore Porters Society take a load off their the hands. Download the Annual Concert Programme 2010
Perth Youth Orchestraa Scottish Charitable OrganisationBecome a Patron today please send your
Sheona Glenville-Sutherland (Cheques made payable to Perth Youth Orchestra) Or make your donation online by VISA, PayPal, etc Click to donate Edinburgh 2009 About our sponsorsThe Gannochy Trust is a major sponsor, sharing the orchestra's aim to develop the talent of young orchestral players in Perth and district. Support from successive local authorities has been crucial to the development of the orchestra and it gratefully acknowledges the support given by Perth and Kinross Council. Every family is encouraged to have at least one member become a patron. In addition, the orchestra greatly appreciates the patronage of former players and their families, as well as many local businesses, for their continued support. Through attendance at concerts and by taking an active part in fund raising events, patrons help create a secure environment in which the young musicians can develop. We invite all who have enjoyed a long association with the orchestra, whether as playing members or as patrons, to renew their annual subscription. New members are warmly welcomed. Edinburgh 2009 |
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