Orchestral Performance - Malvern School 2001

Letter from course director

NSSO

NSSO has been running for eight years and was originally little more than a 'dare'. I was approached by the IAPS Orchestral Board to set up a 'continuation orchestra' for the 'retired' 14 year olds that were no longer eligible for IAPS courses. The first orchestra had 78 musicians and was supported by professional orchestral musicians. Each of the 14 sections was individually tutored for the first three days of the course and on the fourth day by three sectional coaches: strings, woodwind and brass under the direction of a professional conductor. NSSO courses have maintained this level of support from day one. We believe that in order to get the best out of young musicians individual sectional support by some of the country's top musicians it vital whatever the cost.

The first course broke even (£27 surplus), subsequent years made a little more and as the orchestra became more established a small financial cushion emerged and one course supported the next. This surplus was used to support individuals who otherwise would not be able to attend on financial grounds. The 1999 and 2000 courses however both had a greater expenditure than income and so the level of financial cushion has little padding remaining.

Most of us do this because we believe in what we are doing, and those of you who have played in Youth Orchestras will look back on those days with great affection, may realise what a fantastic experience that was and understand how educationally important a good residential course can be.

The aim is to expand NSSO; to have a training orchestra, a main orchestra and a Chamber Orchestra. We founded the latter and broadcast from Liverpool Anglican Cathedral in December last year. In order to achieve the training orchestra we need to increase the number of applicants and thus the profile, advertising and administration must move forwards. Presently a 'cottage industry', NSSO seeks a more professional approach as its second decade is in sight. We need to help in supporting the costs of:

1. A new part-time fund-raising administrator
2. The audition process
3. The advertising
4. A substantial endowment to support those who for genuine reasons cannot afford the full cost of the courses.

As I move to Uppingham as Director of Music in the next few weeks I would be delighted to hear from anyone who has offers of financial help in order to assist in securing the future of this orchestra. Please give it some thought, help us to ensure that NSSO is available for all long into the future.

We wish to express our thanks to HSBC for their kind generosity in sponsoring the conductor for this year's course.

Sincerely yours,

David R. Evans