Young musicians at Treloar’s

Earlier this month, the Bournemouth members of the National Open Youth Orchestra hosted their showcase in Poole. The orchestra shared with the audience what they had worked on throughout the year. Some of the UK’s most talented young disabled and non-disabled musicians, (including two Treloar’s students) took to the stage together.

 

Treloar’s students share their NOYO experience

We asked Evie and Keely, Treloar’s students who play with NOYO, about their musical journeys and experiences:

The National Open Youth Orchestra, also known as NOYO, is an orchestra which gives disabled and non-disabled musicians ages 11-25 the chance to rehearse and perform together to produce high quality music. NOYO musicians either play traditional orchestra instruments or electronic instruments like clarion, which is what I play. I enjoy playing in the orchestra because everyone has something in common: we all have different abilities and play different instruments. Clarion is an accessible instrument that can be played with any part of the body including the eyes. You can use clarion on an iPad, laptop or PC. There are multiple sounds to choose from on clarion which include strings, flutes, clarinet, brass, a harp, an organ and more. You can play any piece of music using clarion, whether it’s classical or more modern music. The word ‘clarion’ originally was known as a high pitched trumpet used in the Middle Ages and renaissance. I auditioned for the orchestra last year and now I am a member of NOYO. If you get into the orchestra, you will be either a trainee or a member. I attend rehearsals every month in Bournemouth and, since I became a member of the orchestra, I have learnt not only how to read music but I’ve also made friends, become more confident with my music and more confident socially. I was recently involved in a small concert in Bournemouth, which I think went well and the pieces we played sounded very good.

Treloar School student, Evie

 

I feel happy to be part of NOYO, and I have really enjoyed my first year with them. To anyone thinking of joining NOYO, I would say: “give it a go.” On the day of the concert my family came to watch the performance at the auditorium which they really enjoyed.

Treloar School student, Keely