Max (16), percussion
Max is in his first year in the NYO. He was a role model to a young person at a Side by Side rehearsal in Warwick Arts Centre during winter 2024/25.
MH: How did you experience playing music with other young people at an NYO Side by Side?
Max: Playing music with local young people who joined us for the NYO Side by Side project at Warwick Art Centre was exciting and rewarding. It wasn't just about helping to improve musical skills, but also about building teamwork and fostering connections, which really highlights the power of music in bringing people together. To act as a role model, especially in a setting like NYO and at only 16 years old, went beyond teaching technique – it was about offering encouragement, showing the younger musicians what it means to be dedicated to both the craft and to others.
Being able to share my experiences, and seeing such potential in others, deepened my appreciation of the importance of mentorship and leadership. It was humbling to be a part of another musician's journey. The sense of community and shared passion for music made the whole side-by-side event even more memorable. Collaborating with musicians from different backgrounds brought fresh perspectives and new ways of approaching music, which was such a valuable learning experience; and being around others who share your enthusiasm for music was such a motivating force.
MH: How did the young people respond to the Side by Side?
Max: The reactions ranged from initial curiosity to growing enthusiasm as they became more comfortable with the music and their role within the group. Many started out hesitant, unsure of what to expect, but as the session progressed, their confidence visibly grew.
I had the privilege of helping a young timpanist. His enthusiasm and eagerness to learn was brilliant! He was so enthusiastic and threw himself into the music, showing incredible talent. His attitude and willingness to learn were truly encouraging.
I think the participants took away a sense of accomplishment, realising that classical music is not as intimidating as it might seem. The experience also helped them develop teamwork, listening skills, and a greater appreciation for collaboration in music. Most important, they saw that music is for everyone, regardless of background or experience.
MH: How does NYO prepare you for outreach work? What challenges does it present?
Max: This is my first year being involved in workshops and I am very excited to be a part of it. Beforehand, NYO provides training in areas like communication skills, teamwork, and teaching methods. They also make sure we understand how to engage young people, particularly those who may be less familiar with classical music or have had fewer opportunities. The preparation includes understanding the diverse backgrounds of participants and creating an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
Being involved in something like this is really out of my comfort zone. I imagine the challenges include overcoming the initial hesitation of young people who may feel intimidated by classical music or who have no prior experience in orchestral settings. Another challenge is ensuring that all participants feel involved and motivated, especially when they may be at different skill levels. It requires a balance of patience, adaptability and creativity to keep everyone engaged.
MH: Why is it important to share the power of orchestral music with others? What do you personally get out of it?
Max: Sharing the power of orchestral music has the ability to inspire, connect and transform people. It brings individuals together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. Music has the unique ability to convey emotions, tell stories, and create a sense of belonging. By introducing young people to orchestral music, we are instrumental in them experiencing something that can enrich their lives, open doors to new opportunities, and encourage creative expression.
Personally, being involved in the NYO Side by Side has allowed me to grow as both a musician and a person. It has strengthened my communication and leadership skills while giving me the opportunity to share something I love with others. Seeing people light up when they connect with the music is incredibly rewarding and reminds me why I am passionate about orchestral performance. The experience has also deepened my appreciation for the impact music can have on individuals and communities alike. It has been such an honour to work with so many talented musicians, and my musical journey has been strengthened by the experience.
Rebecca (17), violin
Rebecca was part of NYO Inspire from 2021 to 2024, and is now in the Orchestra.
MH: What was your experience of NYO Inspire?
Rebecca: NYO Inspire was a supportive, high energy programme that allowed me to play alongside other young musicians and work with the extremely knowledgeable tutors to develop a deeper musical understanding and push to a higher standard. Inspire takes place every year, following an audition process; everyone who applied, as well as all NYO Inspire musicians, comes together in several orchestras across the country to rehearse and perform a programme in just one day.
MH: What was it like to share an experience of full orchestral rehearsals and performance with other musicians?
Rebecca: Having so many young musicians come together creates an amazing atmosphere of focus, energy and inspiration; it helped me build confidence before going to my first residency in the Orchestra.
MH: What outreach work have you been involved in yourself?
Rebecca: Outreach has always been important to the NYO, and engagement with schools is frequent. For example, we often do school tours where the orchestra takes parts of our concert programmes and performs these to different schools across the country. We also have Side by Side, which allows young musicians to rehearse and perform repertoire alongside NYO musicians as a part of an orchestra.
In preparation for these collaborations, we are trained with guidance from tutors on how to create a safe and supportive environment for visiting musicians and communicate musical ideas in an engaging way. As an Inspire musician, I also participated in some primary school workshops, which I prepared and delivered with another NYO musician.
MH: What's it like seeing young people's reaction when you do this outreach work?
Rebecca: It's so fulfilling to see their excitement and curiosity at hearing live orchestral music up close, perhaps even for the first time. Doing these outreach projects allows us to help spark an interest in classical music and make it more accessible to young people across the country. Some may be inspired to pick up an instrument for the first time, while others may grow to feel more confident about their own playing and later take part in different NYO projects.
MH: What do you get out of sharing your music with other people?
Rebecca: The power of music to connect people is undeniable and for many people, especially young musicians who might not have had the chance to experience a live orchestra before, introducing them to it can spark a lifelong passion for music. Sharing music with new audiences not only gives me a deeper appreciation of the art but also brings a constant reminder as to why I love music.
Marcel (17), bassoon
Marcel is in his fourth year at NYO. During this time he has contributed to many NYO Inspire and NYO Local activities.
MH: What has it been like organising and running workshops at local primary schools as part of NYO Local? What have you gained from it?
Marcel: Preparing for the school workshops seemed like a challenge, but with the help of the NYO Local team it became a much easier task. I hadn't done any kind of workshop activities prior to joining NYO, so it was a great opportunity to try something new.
At first I found it a challenge, as speaking to an audience was outside my comfort zone; but once I felt settled, it was a very fun experience. The audience were super-responsive and it was rewarding to see how engaged they were. With this experience I feel like I have the confidence to do more workshops and to share my love of music.
MH: What sort of preparation did you receive for the NYO Local project?
Marcel: Before my NYO Local project, I attended a couple of talks at the NYO Spring residency on the basics of running a primary school workshop. In these, we were given demonstrations of various activities we could do with the audience and tips on what to talk about. I found this information really useful and I used all of it when I ran my workshop.
In terms of the activities, I did some that involved me speaking and playing, but also a couple involving audience participation, such as body percussion and creative pieces. The students responded to these activities really well and seemed to enjoy it.
MH: What was the reaction of the primary school students when you did NYO Local? Had they ever seen a bassoon before?
Marcel: All the students were interested and engaged during the workshop, which was really rewarding to see. It took some time, but after I got into a flow they all seemed to be enjoying it. Many of them had never seen a bassoon before and were excited to discover something new. To my delight, some had actually seen or heard of a bassoon, which was very encouraging to hear. After I had finished, a number of students came up to me to ask questions just about music in general, and I was more than happy to answer them.
MH: Why do you think it's important that young people lead by example and try to inspire or give back to others?
Marcel: I believe that it's critical for us as young musicians to share our passion for music and music-making. I've found that when younger musicians engage with a young audience, the audience finds it much more inspiring. In general, we should be giving and sharing as much as we can, so that we may inspire others. If it wasn't for the musicians who inspired us, we wouldn't be able to share our passion for music.
