Year 12 plays for National Youth Concert Band

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Congratulations to Arlo, who took part in the National Youth Concert Band's summer course this August.

Arlo joined 98 young musicians from across the UK for a three-day residential course at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, from 28 to 30 August. It was a particularly special year as musicians from the National Children's Concert Band (NCCB) joined the summer course for the first time.

Over three days, Arlo worked alongside professional instrumental tutors and conductors in full ensemble and sectional rehearsals, tackling ambitious repertoire that built on music first introduced at the bands' Spring residential at Bedford School, alongside new pieces.

The two bands were led by conductors David Chatterton (NYCB) and Adam Broughton (NCCB), and both had the opportunity to work with internationally renowned conductor Dr Timothy Reynish MBE, who directed NYCB in Vaughan Williams' English Folk Song Suite. NCCB musicians also met composer Lisa DeSpain via Zoom from her home in New York, who watched them rehearse her piece The Bicycle Shoppe and spoke about the comedy and inspiration behind it.

Beyond the music, the course gave Arlo the chance to spend time with like-minded peers from across the country, all sharing a passion for music at an advanced level.

It all culminated in a sold-out concert at Manchester's Stoller Hall on 30th August - a brilliant achievement for Arlo and everyone involved.

Article written by Savir (Year 13), Communications Prefect