Report on Lydian Training Orchestra Weekend 24-26 Oct 2008
Half term holidays should be a chance to wind down and have a break, but not for the members of the Lydian Training Orchestra (LTO) Their autumn course took place from 24th -26th October at Amherst School in Sevenoaks. The course was packed with orchestral playing, coaching and musicianship activities, and concluded with an informal concert for parents and friends.
It was very pleasing to see thirteen new players on the course, and with this in mind a few light-hearted ‘name games’ helped to break the ice to begin with. The players then settled down to exploring the chosen repertoire Slavonic Dance op.72 no.2 by Dvorak, Chanson de Matin by Elgar and a Water Music Suite by Handel.
On Saturday morning the group split for sectional rehearsals coached by Cecilia Lamon (violin) Jennifer Stinton (flute) Sara Grint (oboe) and Ethan Merrick (cello).
All are teachers and experienced orchestral players, and it was easy to observe a great improvement in the sound of the orchestra after their imput.
On Saturday afternoon percussionist Jo May arrived with a van load of djembe drums. She led an exhilarating workshop which was pitched at just the right level for the group. She was able to keep the group drumming for a full hour without interruption and a great sense of flow.
LTO courses usually include part singing, and this time I chose ‘Sumer is icumen in’, which we learned as a four part canon with double ostinato. Despite a hesitant start most of the orchestra managed to learn it by heart and performed it at the concert with much greater confidence.
The talent show was a highlight of the course. It was very pleasing to see how naturally many of the players rose to the challenge of entertaining each other with music,poetry and dance.
Many thanks go to Allianz Musical Insurance for providing the Youth Orchestra Award and to NAYO for administrating it. As the conductor, I found it a very enjoyable weekend, most successful in welcoming so many new players to the orchestra. My daughter,Catherine, was born two days before the course, so it was a particularly joyful (and rather hectic!) time.
Ethan Merrick 30th Oct 2008