Youth orchestra were the toast of New York
So began Sean O’Neill’s account of a truly aweinspiring journey and experience of a lifetime.
The students and staff were all involved with the Gwent Youth Wind Orchestra and they were setting off from Wales to take part in the 2017 New York International Music Festival, led by Mr O’Neill, and were going to perform in what is probably the most famous concert venue in the world – The Carnegie Hall.
Just saying the name of the hall creates a moment of wonder and elation and muted excitement. The students were not there to speak the name – they were going to perform there. How do you control that kind of overwhelming awe?
Flying from Birmingham to Dublin and clearing American immigration control made the entry to the US so much easier. Arriving in JFK airport the party was met by representatives of World Projects, the festival organisers, and were soon on the coaches to New York city.
Their hotel was opposite the Carnegie Hall on Seventh Avenue and it seemed that there was hustle and bustle everywhere. The students made their way to Times Square, wide eyed and probably open mouthed as they seemed to be walking in a blaze of light as they headed to a cafe for a meal at 10.30pm.
Sightseeing in the morning after a good sleep took in the Rockefeller Centre, Central Park and the Hudson River. After lunch and some further sightseeing they prepared for a workshop with the festival’s musical director Dr Lawrence Sutherland.
The students were very impressed with the distinguished director and he was very pleased with the efforts of the orchestra. After the workshop it was down Broadway to catch a show – Cirque de Soleil’s Paramour – which was stunning.
Monday saw the group in New York International Festival T-shirts and Gwent Tour hoodies which were all in appropriate red.
Arriving at the Naumburg Bandstand in Central Park, the Gwent Youth Wind Orchestra opened their programme with New York, New York which certainly brought a large crowd to listen and the playing of the rest of the programme certainly kept the crowd’s interest and they ended with Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau to tumultuous applause.
The rest of the day saw more of New York and the many different groups taking part were getting together and making friends as the lights kept the darkness forever away.
Tuesday was the day and the party sat in the auditorium totally in awe of the building and listening to various groups taking part in the festival some from all over America and some even from Australia.
Then, properly dressed, the orchestra took to the stage for a rehearsal and sound checks with international euphonium virtuoso David Childs.
In no time at all the full orchestra was on stage and playing away. David Childs was brilliant with two world premieres and all receiving standing ovations.
It really was an experience that will always be remembered.
It was also a fitting finale for Sean O’Neill as this was his last occasion of being with the Wind Orchestra as he is retiring from his role as Head of Wind and Brass with Gwent Music Service.
Gwent Music present St David’s Showcase on Monday, June 26, at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, and all the various ensembles involved with Gwent Music will be appearing from 7pm. Tickets cost £10 and £8 on the door, from band members or email: hello@ melingriffith.co.uk.
Markham & District Colliery Band in Association with Blackwood Little Theatre Younger Generation present A Summer Evening Of Music at The Blackwood Little Theatre at 7.30pm on
Saturday, June 24,
Tickets cost £8 from www.blackwoodlt.org. uk/tickets or 01495 366196. Included will be items from the stage show Brassed Off.
Blaenavon Town Band and Junior Band are at World Heritage Centre, Blaenavon, on The Band will play in the Town Centre at 11.45am for 30 mins, then at 1pm the band will lead the parade. The Junior Band will play at the World Heritage Centre, Church Road, Blaenavon from 2.30pm-3pm.
– Mid Rhondda (Thomas Coaches) Band Tredegar Town Band - Aneurin Bevan Day Monmouth Big Band Tredegar Male Voice Choir
Parc & Dare Band are guests of the Richard Williams Singers at St David’s Church, Tonyrefail with soloists Emily Richards, Seren Jones and Poppy Davies on
at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6 on the door.
Saturday, June 24. Saturday, June 24. Sunday, June 25 Sunday, July 2 – Sunday, July 9 – Sunday, July 16 – Sunday, June 25. June 29, June 30. July 22 – Thursday,
Goodwick Brass Band are in concert with The City of Gardens Chorus (an award winning Acapella choir from Canada) at St David’s Cathedral at 7.30pm on
Friday,
Tickets cost £10 and £8 from Tony Evans, email: evanst@ hotmail.co.uk.
Gwaun Cae Gurwen Brass Band along with the Junior Band celebrate its 125th Anniversary with a Concert on
at 7pm at Cwmtawe Community School, Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe SA8 4EG.
Current and past players will be there and guests the Morriston RFC Choir.
Saturday,
Crosskeys Silver Band The Skyliner Big Band Markham & District Band Ebbw Valley Brass. All free entry. Concerts 3pm-5pm.
Sunday, July 23 – Sunday, July 30 – Sunday, August 6 Sunday, August 13 –