Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Auckland Youth Orchestra (Updated)

Now, I don't have any photos unfortunately but this Saturday just gone I went to the Auckland Youth Orchestra who were playing at the Town Hall for free.

The AYO have just this year begun a mentor program in conjunction with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra where some members of the APO agree to practice with and mentor the members of the AYO. My friend works behind the scenes as a liaison between the two - she organises the meetings, the practices and notices between the two to ensure they function well together without getting in the way of each other and without her message to me on Facebook I wouldn't have even known the event was on. Apparently this is the first year they have combined like this and it is all proving to be beneficial for the young guns and the seniors as well who claim to feel new life and excitement being surrounded by all this young blood!!

The evening was split into two parts and in the first half there was the Roman Carnival Overture by Hector Berloiz followed by "Trumpet Concerto in A Flat Major." It contained an amazing trumpet solo by a young man originally from England - he was quite talented but I found his mannerisms a little distracting to the music for me. I was in the stalls - fairly close - and a little to the left. I had a great view of the violins and past the conductor to the violas. There was an energetic fella on the cello and the percussion were up high and easy to see. Unfortunately I couldn't see any of the brass or woodwind, this was disappointing but then I did chose my own seat!


After the interval was Beethoven's Symphony No7 in A Major Op.92 and I was taken away. I don't go to the opera at all, and rarely have I been to an orchestral evening but there was no way I could tell this was not a professional team - they really were amazing.

According to the little programme the orchestra had plenty of violins 1 & 2, Viola, Cellos and Double Basses (4 of them!). Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horns, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, one Timpani and the perscussion. Was anything missed out?

4 comments:

simon said...

stayed tuned? ahahahaha after a post about an Orchestra.. very funny Ju'dLS!!

Ju's little sister said...

huh!

You know what Simon - completely unintentional! I was in such a rush to leave I didn't even realise!

Martin Stickland said...

Hello me old mucka!

Ow is ya do'in me young whipper snapper?

I hope ye is keep'n outa trubble ??

One day I will send you that water colour .. promise!

lorenzothellama said...

Lovely to see you back making comments again!