Durham University Orchestra outreach day

10th June 2017

Thirty five academy instrumentalists joined forces with the forty-strong visiting Durham University Palatinate Orchestra for a full day of orchestral playing.  During the morning, the group was divided into ensembles to learn the repertoire led by the visiting students and our team of teachers from the academy.

The groups then gradually came together through the day, firstly as separate strings, winds, and brass sections, and then finally as the full combined orchestra.

The project was run in partnership with Hautlieu School, and a number of their young instrumentalists also participated, with the concert taking place at Hautlieu School in the evening.  The combined orchestra performed Grieg’s Hall of the Mountain King, and Bizet’s Toreador’s Song (from Carmen).  The visiting orchestra also performed Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with local virtuoso pianist Isobel Osborne (who is studying music at Durham, and was one of the driving forces in enabling this project to happen).

 

Our thanks go to all the visiting students, Isobel, and DUPO’s outreach coordinator Zoe Wardell, a wonderful project enjoyed greatly by all!