National Youth Orchestra 2006
The NZSO National Youth Orchestra will embark on their annual week of music making in August under renowned English
conductor, Simon Streatfeild and featuring this years young Composer-in-residence, Aucklander Claire Cowan. The
orchestra will perform in three centres with players coming from all around the country and as far a field as Brisbane,
Australia - where three are students at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.
Pascale Parenteau, manager of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra is excited about the diversity of the orchestra this
year and says; "We had more applicants than ever and it is really exciting to also introduce an Australian Youth
Orchestra player into the mix. This allows us to offer repertoire not available to regional youth orchestras as we are
able to fulfil any player shortfall through this new scheme, while still maintaining our reputation as the premium NZ
national youth orchestra."
A new initiative, the NYO/Australian Youth Orchestra Player Exchange, seeks to build on an already existing relationship
with the AYO by providing the opportunity for three NZ National Youth Orchestra members to attend the AYO National Music
Camp to be held in January 2007 in exchange for one young Australian to participate in the NZSO NYO in 2006.
Former AYO player in 2004 & 2006 season, Jindalee-born Andrew Kopittke, 21, has been appointed Co-Principal Horn for the NYO under this scheme, he
will also feature in the NYO recitals in Wellington and Christchurch in the Mozart Horn Quintet. The three students
currently studying at the Queensland Conservatorium are Nicholas Thin (Violin), Shandelle Horsford (Double bass) and
Melissa Carter (Clarinet).
Christchurch-born violinist, Ben Morrison has been appointed Concertmaster. Morrison has already made a name for himself
as a performer and recording artist, having released his debut CD in 2003 as well headlining a 10-centre tour around
America the same year. A former Burnside High School pupil, he will be joined in the orchestra by seven other current
and former pupils of Burnside.
There is also a large representation from Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin as well as young
orchestral players from Nelson, Hamilton and Whangarei.
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The Music
One of the most famous pieces in the orchestral repertoire, Beethoven's Egmont Overture will open these special
concerts. The colourful and evocative orchestration of Strauss' famous opera, Der Rosenkavalier will be preceded by the
world premiere of Trains of Thinking by Claire Cowan, this year's NYO Composer-in-residence. Trains of Thinking follows
a journey, represented by music, of thought patterns, slowly evolving, and changing track at will.
The concert will culminate with a performance of Shostakovich's electrifying tenth symphony. Often regarded as the
greatest symphony from the greatest symphonist of the mid-20th century, this work was written soon after the death of
Stalin and is commonly interpreted as the triumph of the composer over the oppressive age of Stalinism.
Composer-in-residence, Claire Cowan
Claire Cowan was selected from 21 promising applicants, ranging in age between 17 and 24, and included composers from
Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Tauranga and Wellington. The selection panel consisted of James Judd (NZSO
Music Director), Hamish McKeich (NZSO Associate Conductor), John Psathas (Composer at the New Zealand School of Music)
and Kenneth Young (former NZSO Tuba player, conductor and composer).
Pascale Parenteau comments, "This is a really unique competition - there is none like it in New Zealand! It's a
brilliant way to find new compositional talent and encourage our young New Zealand composers while complementing the
wider New Zealand music strategy of the NZSO."
Claire began to compose at 12 years old, and at 16, produced her first orchestral work "Drift." At 17, she composed
''Drums of Mars" which won the Auckland Philharmonia Young Composers competition. Since then, her compositions have been
performed by the Auckland Philharmonia, the Manakau City Symphony, the Netherlands Blazer Ensemble, the Wellington Youth
Orchestra, and the Auckland Youth Orchestra. Her music has also been performed throughout New Zealand, Australia, Japan,
and Europe. More information at www.clairesmusic.com
Conductor - Simon Streatfeild
Originally a distinguished violist, Simon Streatfeild was Principal Viola of the London Symphony Orchestra -
English/Canadian Simon Streatfeild turned to conducting some thirty-five years ago. He spent three years as conductor of
the Regina Symphony in Canada, and from 1983 to 1991 as conductor of the Quebec Symphony. Streatfeild helped to found
the celebrated Academy of St.Martin-in-the-Fields, formed in 1959 by several distinguished musicians including Sir
Neville Marriner.
His dedication to the development of young musicians has recently seen him involved in conducting concerts with the
Camerata Orchestra of the University of Indiana at Bloomington, and at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has
fulfilled the role of Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra of Canada on many occasions, most recently in the summer
of 2003.
NZSO NYO recitals and masterclass
A new initiative sought to maximize available resources by utilizing the combined talents of Ben Morrison, this year
concertmaster and the NYO principals, both in concert at the Christchurch Arts Centre and at St.
Andrew's-on-the-Terrace, Wellington, and in an open masterclass with NYO conductor Simon Streatfeild. Ben Morrison will
perform with some of principals a full recital including Mozart: Horn Quintet, Sonatine for two violins by Martinu and a
commission NZ work by Claire Cowan for the NYO percussion section.
Wellington Christchurch
St.Andrew's-on-the-Terrace The Arts Centre Friday Lunchtime Concert Series
Date: Wednesday 30 August Date: Friday 1 September
Time: 12:15pm Time: 1:10pm
Programme
NZSO NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Tuesday 29 August at 7.00pm Michael Fowler Centre Wellington
Thursday 31 August at 7.00pm Town Hall Christchurch
Saturday 2 September at 7.00pm Town Hall Auckland
NZSO National Youth Orchestra
Simon Streatfeild- Conductor
BEETHOVEN Egmont Overture
CLAIRE COWAN Trains of Thinking (world premiere by Composer-in-residence)
STRAUSS Der Rosenkavalier- Suite
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No 10
ends