Mar 15, 2010
NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF CANADA ANNOUNCES ITS 2010 ORCHESTRA
Introducing the best of Canada’s young orchestral musicians
Toronto, ON – March 15 – The JUNO nominated National Youth Orchestra of Canada, this country’s leading training organization for aspiring young orchestral musicians, marks its 50 year anniversary with the announcement of the 2010 orchestra.
From a record number of 623 applications, 94 young musicians from across Canada, who range in age from 16- 28, were chosen through auditions held in major cities across the country in January.
“As the NYOC prepares to celebrate its 50 year history, these 94 young musicians find themselves in very distinguished company,” says Barbara Smith, executive director of the NYOC. Close to 40% of Canada’s professional orchestral musicians are alumni of the NYOC, making the NYOC a true Canadian treasure. When you add to this, the NYOC’s recent JUNO nomination for its 2009 CD/DVD in the category of Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble, 2010 is certainly a milestone year for the NYOC.”
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, every musician in this year’s orchestra is receiving a $1,000 honorarium; six musicians will be awarded an additional $4,000 Leadership Award.
The newly appointed orchestra returns to the University of Western Ontario in London in June for five weeks of intensive training, which, for the first time, includes an extended chamber music program. Maestro Jacques Lacombe, who is soon to become New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s 13th Music Director, returns as Principal Conductor; Maestro Lacombe was principal conductor in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Following the training session, the 2010 orchestra will embark on a three week national tour, which will see them travel to the west coast for the first time in five years. The orchestra will perform at such esteemed venues as Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica, Toronto’s Koerner Hall and Vancouver’s Chan Centre. World-renowned tenor Ben Heppner will join the orchestra in Stratford as they perform as part of the Stratford Summer Music Festival.
A full listing of the 2010 NYOC orchestra and its concert performances can be found at www.nyoc.org
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About The National Youth Orchestra of Canada
The National Youth Orchestra of Canada is Canada's advanced orchestral training institute for musicians ages 16 to 28. Its mission is to educate, elevate, and empower Canada’s most gifted young orchestral musicians. Forty percent of Canada’s professional orchestral musicians are alumni of the NYOC.
Over the years, the reviews and praise bestowed on the NYOC have been nothing short of amazing. The NYOC was awarded the prestigious title, “the best youth orchestra in the world” at the World Youth Orchestra Conference in Tokyo. In 2010, the NYOC received a JUNO nomination for its 2009 CD/DVD in the category of Classical Album: Large Ensemble or Soloist. For more information on the NYOC, visit www.nyoc.org.
For media queries, contact
Maggie Fairs
Mfairs@nyoc.org
T: 416.532.4470 x 233
M: 647.988.4880
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