University ‘younger strings’ trio selected for NCO

Three young boys from St Andrews will join the cream of Scottish musical youth when they play for the National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland (NCOS) at a concert tonight in Glasgow (Friday 12th April, 2002).

The talented threesome, members of the University of St Andrews Younger String Orchestra, have been invited to play for the NCOS at The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland’s (NYOS) Spring Concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Gordon Duncan (aged 13) and brothers Robert (aged 13) and David Torrance (aged 11) were invited to play with the NCOS, an orchestra of talented 8-14 year olds, after attending auditions last November.

Gordon and Robert both play the violin, while David plays the cello. They attend Madras College, St Leonard’s School and Greyfriars Primary School respectively.

They learned of the opportunity from the University’s Younger String Orchestra, a group of around thirty 10-21 year old musicians, who meet once a week at the University’s Music Centre, based at the Younger Hall, St Andrews. The boys were encouraged to audition by William Baxter, the director and conductor of the group, and their string teachers at school.

“It is wonderful that these three boys have been chosen from a group of 300 other talented young musicians from all over Scotland. It is a fantastic opportunity for them to play among the best,” said Mr Baxter.

The 134 members of the NCOS will share this year’s concert with the most senior musicians in the NYOS family, Camerata Scotland, and will play a varied programme of works by Brahms, Lutoslawski, Dvoøák, and Massenet.

Last year’s Spring Concert saw one of NYOS’s biggest audiences ever at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The concert is billed as a wonderful opportunity to see two accomplished and diverse orchestras, and organisers are hoping for a highly charged and entertaining evening.

At the concert tonight there will be at least one familiar face to Gordon, Robert and David – the NCOS section will be conducted by Julian Clayton, Director of the University’s Music Centre!

ENDS

PICTURE CAPTION (LEFT-RIGHT): Gordon Duncan, Robert Torrance and David Torrance, who have been selected to play for the National Children’s Orchestra tonight.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The University of St Andrews Younger String Orchestra was established in 1999, and performs two concerts a year at the Younger Hall. Its thirty members consist of both school children and students from in and around St Andrews.

NYOS orchestra musicians are gathered from across Scotland, from the Highlands and Islands to the Borders. NYOS seeks to achieve the highest of standards and The National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland musicians are chosen following auditions held across Scotland in November each year. Many of the children in NCOS will be making their debut at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Participation in Camerata Scotland is by invitation. This orchestra is for the most senior and recent past members of The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Camerata Scotland bridges the gap between youth and professional orchestras.

For further information about the concert and NYOS, please contact Helen Black (Marketing Co- ordinator), The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, Tel: 0141 332 8311, email: [email protected].

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050103, or email [email protected] Ref: younger strings pr 110402 View the latest University news at http://www.st- andrews.ac.uk/extrel/press.htm