Press Review:

The Reading Youth Orchestra Leavers Concert

Queen Anne's School, Caversham, Sunday 31^st August 2003.

A delighted audience of parents and well-wishers, including the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Jeanette Skeats, welcomed Reading Youth Orchestra back to this country on Sunday evening after its concert tour to Tuscany. In its traditional Leavers’ Concert given at Queen Anne’s School the orchestra gave its audience a taste of the excellent playing that marked its performances in Italy. The orchestra’s three concerts in Italy were given in Impruneta, in Florence itself, and under the third largest dome in Italy at the Basilica della Madonna dell Umilta in the small town of Pistoia. Conductor, Chris Walker, describes the experience of performing in such splendid and historic venues as ‘totally memorable for all concerned. The acoustics of these wonderful historic churches gave the orchestra’s sound splendid warmth, and audiences responded with enormous spirit and enthusiasm. They were particularly appreciative of the Italian music by Verdi that we played.’ As well as Verdi’s Overture ‘La Forza del Destino’ the programme also included concertos for violin and horn by Mendelssohn and Gliere, played by orchestra members Alex Gilbert and David Bond. Both students are leaving the orchestra now to study at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music, whilst Nat Steele, who gave a brief but electrifying performance of Monti’s famous ‘Czardas’ on the xylophone, is hoping to study in Cuba during his Gap year. As well as giving concerts on tour, the orchestra enjoyed opportunities for sight-seeing in Pisa and Florence and a visit to the beach at Viareggio.

Reading Youth Orchestra rehearses on Friday nights at Thamesbridge College and has vacancies for a number of instruments, particularly horns, violas and double basses. Further information can be found at www.ryo.org.uk or from Reading Activities Centre 0118 9015636.

Photos of the concert can be seen here.