A light-hearted musical work conjouring up the antics of chickens, donkeys, elephants and kangaroos will be the focus of the Frome Youth String Orchestra’s forthcoming weekend intensive, to be held on June 10th and 11th at Selwood Academy.
Since it was written by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns in 1886, The Carnival of the Animals has been an enduring popular way of introducing youngsters to the joys of classical music and ensemble playing.
Under the guidance of expert, inspirational tutors, participants will have the chance to play in chamber groups of varying sizes. They’ll also sing and create beautiful art to accompany the final performance, staged for parents and carers on the Sunday afternoon, as the culmination of two days of workshops.
“For a lot of budding young musicians, learning an instrument can be a solitary affair,” says FYSO organizer Jenny Powell. “But playing in a small group or larger orchestra is where the real fun lies. It’s great watching children’s eyes light up when they first experience immersion in the lovely, rich sound of massed strings. And of course, The Carnival of the Animals is such a fun piece, with a range of different moods and tones that children can easily relate to.”
Aimed at any young people learning violin, viola, cello or double bass, the course costs £45 per student, or £30 for siblings of those paying the full amount. All levels of ability are welcome, whether beginners or aspiring Nichola Benedettis! And bursaries are offered for those in receipt of free school meals. Please enquire for more details.
To register for the weekend, simply complete the form on the FYSO website (http://www.fyso.org.uk/index.php/next-event) or contact Jenny on enquiries@fyso.org.uk
To help raise funds for the course, FYSO will be staging a concert on May 27th in Christ Church at 7pm. The programme will include pieces by Mozart and Bartok. String players are invited to bring their instruments along to join in a performance of Pachelbel’s Canon – which has parts to suit all levels of ability. Tickets (on the door) cost £10 (or £5 for children) and include free cake!
