Take-off for Britten Sinfonia Academy!

After six lengthy days of auditions across the East of England, where we met many lovely enthusiastic and talented musicians, we have finally selected 18 young instrumentalists to join the first year of Britten Sinfonia Academy. The chosen young talented musicians represent the whole of the East of England, and come from Saxmundham to St Neots, Colchester to Cambridge, and rural Norfolk to Newmarket! The ensemble comprises a ten person string section, three wind and three brass players, a harpist and a pianist, who range in age from 12 year-old violinist, to 17 year-old double bass player.

We were delighted to finally meet the group this Sunday, and to spend time getting to know one another. Starting with rhythms and modes, we created music together as a group, through improvisation. The essence of the afternoon was to start to communicate as an ensemble; to listen to one-another and to make music together, to build trust, and to look forward to what is to come. Qualities which are present in so much of Britten Sinfonia’s own music making – the spark of energy on sharing a musical moment with another member of the group, or the excitement of starting on a musical adventure together – were captured during the afternoon, and we hope that this flavour for exploration and communication will remain when the group meet again at the end of the month. At the end of September, the ensemble will start to work on repertoire, including the new composition by Alissa Firsova, which the Academy will be performing, alongside Britten Sinfonia at our 20^th Birthday concerts in Cambridge, Norwich and at the Barbican Centre in London this October. 

 

After the session, the gang relaxed and got to know each other better over pizza in the park.

Find out more about Britten Sinfonia Academy here

Isobel Timms

Creative Learning Director