THIS IS THE NATIONAL YOUTH PERCUSSION ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
NYPO Summer School
In its SEVENTH year - the specialist week for the UK's finest young percussionists returns to Cheltenham Ladies' College - August 2024.
A week of intensive coaching, led by some of the country's foremost players and teachers.
Dates:
Sunday 18th August to
Friday 23rd August 2024
Venue:
Cheltenham Ladies' College
Bayshill Rd.
Cheltenham
Gloucs. GL50 3EP
What to expect at NYPO
There are many excellent extended courses around the country for young orchestral musicians. In an orchestra, however, the percussionists often spend long periods of time "counting rests" whilst the other sections have all the fun. In the NYPO week there will be no strings, woodwind or brass to steal the show. You will spend the time living and breathing percussion with some of the best teachers and performers in the world.
You will be given structured days divided between tuned and untuned instruments. There will be a chance for masterclasses, and performances to your peers and families.
You will receive information that will make your brain want to burst with the complex rhythms and fill your wrists with frustration as you try to match the speed and dexterity of the experts.
Everything will be done with a smile and huge words of encouragement.
Beware! This is not for the faint hearted! You need to be an accomplished player; Grade 7 standard or higher (even if you don’t yet have the certificate).
Course Leaders
Owen Gunnell
Since graduating from the Royal College of Music with first-class honours, Owen Gunnell has enjoyed a hugely varied and successful career.
As a soloist his appearances have included work with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, London Sinfonietta, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Macedonian Symphony Orchestra and Sinfonia Viva.
Owen is one half of the celebrated percussion ensemble O Duo, which has released two critically acclaimed albums, performed in concert all over the world, and has broadcast on TV and radio in over 30 countries. As well as presenting 'regular' concerts, the duo are artistic directors/performers/presenters for Children's Classic Concerts in Scotland - through which they have delivered inspirational performances to over 25,000 children.
Owen is also an experienced teacher, giving masterclasses at the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Morelia University (Mexico), and classes within various UK Music Festivals (including the Cheltenham and St. Magnus Festivals) and in Australia, the USA (Princeton University), Ireland, Zimbabwe and Italy.
Patrick King
Pat King is currently the Head of Percussion at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff and Principal Timpanist with Welsh National Opera.
Patrick studied at the Royal College of Music (RCM) and on graduating received the Directors Prize for musical contribution. While at the RCM he was Principal Timpanist with the European Union Youth Orchestra, and then went on to a freelance career which involved playing with every major orchestra in the UK including the LSO, BBC Symphony Orchestra, LPO, RPO, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and The Royal Opera House.
Patrick was percussion finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2001, and winner of the LSO St Lukes Academy, which led to freelance work with the LSO.
As an educator Patrick has tutored the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales. In addition to being Head of Percussion at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, he has examined and given masterclasses at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music, Royal College of Music and The Purcell School.
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