National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain

The National Youth Wind Orchestra (NYWO) consists of around 75 young musicians aged 14 to 21 from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Membership is by audition.

History and heritage

The National Youth Wind Orchestra (NYWO) was originally named The British Youth Wind Orchestra when founded by clarinettist Eric McGavin in 1968. Stephen Dodgson (Chairman), Andrew McGavin, Robert Montgomery and Leonard Salzedo established it as a charity on 1 January 1986 and registered it with the Charity Commission on 28 February 1986.

It was renamed the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain (NYWO) in 1986. Thousands of young wind, brass, and percussion players have passed through the orchestra, many of whom are now found in professional music-making around the world. Kit Shepherd directed the organisation from 1990 until 2013. In 2024 the organisation was renamed 'National Youth Wind Orchestra' (NYWO). The current CEO and Artistic Director is Louisa Denby.

NYWO has conductor Simon Rattle as its patron.

Performances

The NYWO has performed at concert venues throughout the country and abroad including St John's, Smith Square, the Royal Albert Hall,The Royal Albert Hall Duke's Hall, Cadogan Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Oxford Town Hall, the Zeughaus in Teufen,Poster for NYWO concert, Zeughaus in Teufen (AR), 13 August 2013 Ittingen Charterhouse (Switzerland) and the Rudolfinum in Prague (Czech Republic).

It performed at the Royal Albert Hall Promenade Concert 40 in the 2012 season and the BBC Proms Millennium Day in 2000 which was organised by Kit Shepherd in conjunction with the BBC. NYWO has also been recorded on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

Conductors

Conductors have included Dr Glenn D.Price (Canada), Dr Matthew George (America), Dr James Gourlay (Scotland), Colin Touchin (England) 1969–89, Harry Legge OBE (England), Peter Bassano (England), Tijmen Botma (Netherlands), (Sweden), Dr Robert Childs (Wales).

Composition

NYWO continues to commission new works whenever possible, inviting composers and soloists to work closely with members of the orchestra on new compositions. The orchestra were invited to perform Gavin Higgins's BBC Commission and world premiere, Der Aufstand, to much acclaim for the BBC Promenade Concert 40 in the 2012 season.

+Commissions by the NYWO(pre 1986, the British Youth Wind Orchestra) Year Work Composer 1972 Introduction & Rondo (clarinet choir) Gordon Jacob 1974 Work for clarinet choir Edwin Roxburgh 1974 Wind Symphony Stephen Dodgson 1976 Concerto for Wind Orchestra David Morgan Tonada Sefardita (clarinet choir) Leonard Salzedo 1977 Symphony 8 The Four Elements Wilfred Josephs Epigrams from a Garden (sop & Cl choir) Stephen Dodgson 1979 Processiones Leonard Salzedo 1980 Scenes from an imaginary Ballet Graham Williams 1983 Sinfonietta Derek Bourgeois 1984 Ultramarine John Hopkins 1985 East Coast Sketches Nigel Hess 1986 Quiet Gordon Crosse 1987 1984 Dominic Muldowney 1988 Concert Dances Howard Blake 1991 Theatre Fountain Gary Carpenter 1992 Sinfonietta no 2 Philip Sparke Symphony Our Hopes like Towering Falcons Colin Touchin Bandwagon Stephen Dodgson 1994 Scenes from Breugel Adam Gorb 2008 Gilded Theatre Kenneth Hesketh

Charitable trust

NYWO is a registered charity (no. 1205305). Current trustees are Mr Paul Harris, Mr Andrew Somerville, Ms Catherine Millar, and Mr John Hutchins.

This orchestra relies wholly on charitable donations, gifts and sponsorship.

National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain

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