The National Youth Orchestra of Sri Lanka Celebrates 25 Years of Music
The National Youth Orchestra, one of the main aesthetic educational programmes in Sri Lanka and is on the threshold of marking its 25th Anniversary with a Free Orchestral Concert on the 22nd of September 2017.
Last Saturday I met up with the Asst. Director of Western Music of the Ministry of Education in Royal College, Colombo 7 for a little chat. Daneelo Nugara Western Music, a legacy of European colonization that was mainly appreciated and practiced amongst the higher echelons of society Sri Lanka, or Ceylon as it was then known.
Western Music is an art form that dominates the world mainly owing to the fact that its musical notation was highly developed very early on, and designed to allow those who were not acquainted with it, to grasp it easily as a tool for communicating musical ideas.
The National Youth Orchestra is one of the main aesthetic educational programmes in Sri Lanka and was established in 1992 through a Japanese grant of Rs. 54 million and was founded as a Ministry of Education Project by Mrs. Maya Abeywickrama - former Deputy Director of Western Music and Consultant. This venture is the only Statesponsored project of its kind in the SAARC region.
With this project - initiated by Dr. Maya Abeywickrama and the generous grant from the Japanese government the education of western music that was a subject followed by an elite few - mainly due to lack of opportunity - became a reality for the ordinary student as well.
Our objective is to “teach students to appreciate orchestral music and to provide them with the opportunity to learn the art of playing any western orchestral instrument that may lead to a professional career “said Ms. Samarakoon the Asst. Director of Western Music of the Ministry of Education “We, enable students develop the most important skill of reading, understanding and interpreting western musical notation, thus making them competent exponents of one of the most dominant musical art forms in the world” she further added whist elaborating that, even Sri Lankan Folk music has been documented using western notation and could be performed in any part of the world following the notation - “Western Music may therefore be considered a primary international language in the world.”
ET: What skills do the students acquire during their period of training with the National Youth Orchestra - NYO?
Ms. Samarakoon: Students develop their teamwork skills, working towards a common goal and the importance of having to work together to produce a unified and focused performance.
Participation in orchestral performances enables students to develop a deep understanding and appreciation of western classical music as well as modern-day music. They also learn to develop their organizing skills and discipline - balancing their schedule with practicing amidst schoolwork, play the instrument skillfully and overcoming technical difficulties whilst developing their selfmotivation.
Our students eventually develop self-confidence and a well-balanced personality that enhances the quality of their adult-life.
ET: What are your sources of funding?
Ms. Samarakoon: The orchestra is maintained from funds in the Western Music Deposit Account.
We organize an annual in Colombo an event that has been held virtually unbroken for the last 24 years. Whenever possible, concerts are also held in the provinces. However, students from nearly all provinces attend the concerts in Colombo and on average, about 800 students avail themselves of this opportunity to experience a live orchestral performance and listen to music that is often dealt with in the school music curriculum.
Concerts are usually held free-of-charge but there have been occasions where tickets are sold to the public and the proceeds credited to the Western Music Deposit Account.
DME: With around seventy five students how do you manage practice sessions and administration of the orchestra?
Ms. Samarakoon: The orchestra is administered by a Co- ordinator, currently the Assistant Director – Western Music at the Ministry, together with a Western Music teacher and 2 office-assistants. There are 3 conductors responsible for maintaining and developing the musical standard of the orchestra. Instrumental instructors are engaged as required.
ET: Could you tell us something about the selection process and the acquisition of instruments by the students?
Ms. Samarakoon: Membership is open to students from all provinces and who are admitted to the performing orchestra on successfully passing an audition process. Beginners and other trainees are coached in their respective instruments until they reach a level of adequate competency to join the main orchestra.
Owing to the prohibitive costs of most orchestral instruments and the reluctance of the less-affluent students to invest in such instruments, the NYO provides talented students the facility of a loan-instrument free-ofcharge issued against a signed agreement, supported by a guarantee provided by the Head of the student’s school.
ET: What is the practice schedule and where are they held?
Ms. Samarakoon: The Principal of Royal College, Colombo 7 has kindly permitted the use of their premises subject to the priority requirements of the school where Sessions are conducted usually on Saturdays from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the premises of Royal College, Colombo 7, which is the current home of the orchestra.
ET: Any other institutions that support you?
Ms. Samarakoon: Yes, of course, The Japan International Co-operation Agency - JICA - supports us by providing us with orchestral scores and other printed music as required by the players, they also assist us in the training process by periodically sending us instructors to develop the playing standard of the orchestra.
The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka also assists us by permitting the free usage of their music library.
Some Music-based institutions also provide opportunities for NYO players to receive advanced training through scolarship schemes and the experience of performing under foreign trained conductors.
ET: What are the other benefits that help the students?
Ms. Samarakoon: All orchestral students are academically high-achievers, evincing that music enhances the development of the mental faculties whilst membership in the orchestra is counted as an extra qualification when entering foreign universities or highereducational institutions in Sri Lanka.
The training and experience provided by the NYO also enable talented students to eventually perform as professional players in many of the senior orchestras in the country - some have reached high professional positions in the field of music, such as in the Armed Services.
ET: Finaly, Ms. Samarakoon, I observed around twenty students who just joined the practice session, who are they?
Ms. Samarakoon: They are the juniors who will also perform at the concert alongside the seniors; of course they are the future of the NYO.
Interviewed by Daneelo Nugara