Local teenager is made Principal composer of the National Youth Orchestra
A local teenager has been named as principal composer with the National Youth Orchestra (NYO).
17 year-old Michael Brailey from Crediton, will be responsible for working with musicians in the Orchestra to create new symphonic music as well as diverse ensemble pieces.
Michael said: “Being in NYO 2014 means an unbelievable amount to me as a composer. Nowhere else would I have the chance to work so closely and learn from a whole symphony orchestra of talented musicians who are my age.
“The result for me is an incredible experience of being able to hear my own music performed live all over the country’’
As well as working with the NYO Michael, has worked with the composer Gabriel Prokofiev’s Nonclassical label, which promotes young composers producing new compositions, at the Pioneers of Percussion Festival last Saturday (16 November).
Michael also sings in the Exeter School choir where he is in the upper sixth preparing to study music at university.
two violinists, two oboists, a cellist, a trumpeter, another composer, a tuba player, a double bass player and a harpist in the NYO also come from the South West.
The orchestra is the premier group for young classical musicians in the UK made up of 82 male and 83 female musicians with an average age of 17.
The 165 musicians will perform in the UK’s finest concerthalls, under the world-leading conductors. Giving the young musicians a good first step into a career in music.
Since 1948, NYO has produced many of the world’s greatest conductors, composers and performers, including Sir Simon Rattle, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, Berlin Philharmonic, wo said: “I’ll never forget my time with the orchestra and genuinely believe it to be one of Britain’s greatest musical assets.”
Sarah Alexander, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the NYO said: “We’re excited to see so many high calibre musicians attend NYO auditions. It’s a tough and rigorous process and inevitably many will be disappointed.
“Therefore, it’s very important to us that it is a positive, motivating experience for every musician taking part. This is why we offer a tutor-led group workshop based on instrumental techniques as a key component of the auditions. This is unique to NYO auditions and very well received.”
