Junior department students stood on the steps outside the RCM

National Youth Orchestra (NYO) success for Royal College of Music Junior Department

Monday 15 November 2021

A total of 26 musicians from the Royal College of Music Junior Department are joining the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for 2022. This is a record number of RCMJD musicians selected for the orchestra in recent years.

The talented musicians are: violinists Gabriella Bavetta (Leader) Richard Eichhorst, Rhys Evans, Isabell Karlsson, Finn Kjaergaard, Helena Landis, Bronagh Lee, Catherine McCardel, Vivek Ramanan, Amber Sun and Michelle Wang; violists Polly Almond, Charlie Rose and Anneker Vetter; cellists Megan Clarke, Riya Hamie, Daniel Jurado Hoshino, Inez Karlsson and Madeleine Murray; clarinetists Alex Buckley and Phoenix Mombru; horn players Sarah Pennington (Joint Principal) and Noah Hall; trumpeters Samuel Balchin (Principal) Markus Sadler, Sophie Schofield.

In addition to this, Isaac Skey was chosen to take part in NYO Inspire. The Inspire scheme provides free opportunities for teenage musicians to take part in in-depth workshops, rehearsals and performances and work closely with NYO musicians and tutors to develop their orchestral playing.

Miranda Francis, Head of Junior Programmes at the RCM, said: 'I am immensely proud of the 26 young musicians who have secured places in the National Youth Orchestra 2022, including our RCMJD Symphony Orchestra leader Gabriella Bavetta. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the inspirational RCMJD teachers and orchestral tutors who have supported these talented young musicians throughout lockdown and who continue to support these amazing students every week. I can't wait to hear the 2022 NYO orchestra live in concert.’

Founded in 1948, the NYO is comprised entirely of teenagers and renowned for its brilliant, high-adrenaline and fresh orchestral performances. It is also known for its profound influence on classical music, with high-profile alumni such as Sir Simon Rattle, Alison Balsom and Judith Weir, as well as ex-NYO members in many leading orchestras and ensembles around the world.

This year's success continues the upward trajectory of RCMJD students taking up prestigious positions in the NYO.

Find out more about the RCM Junior Department.

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