National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain

Not to be confused with National Youth Wind Ensemble of Great Britain.
National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain
Youth orchestra
Short nameNYWO
Founded1968 (1968)
LocationUnited Kingdom
Music directorLouisa Denby
Websitewww.nywo.org.uk

The National Youth Wind Orchestra (NYWO) consists of around 75 young musicians aged 14 to 21 from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Membership is by audition.

History and heritage

The National Youth Wind Orchestra (NYWO) was originally named The British Youth Wind Orchestra[1][2] when founded by clarinettist Eric McGavin in 1968.[3] Stephen Dodgson (Chairman),[4] Andrew McGavin, Robert Montgomery and Leonard Salzedo established it as a charity on 1 January 1986 and registered it with the Charity Commission on 28 February 1986.

It was renamed the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain (NYWO) in 1986. Thousands of young wind, brass, and percussion players have passed through the orchestra, many of whom are now found in professional music-making around the world. Kit Shepherd directed the organisation from 1990 until 2013. In 2024 the organisation was renamed 'National Youth Wind Orchestra' (NYWO).[5] The current CEO and Artistic Director is Louisa Denby.

NYWO has conductor Simon Rattle as its patron.[6]

Performances

Duke's Hall Easter Concert 2014; conductor Tijmen Botma

The NYWO has performed at concert venues throughout the country and abroad including St John's, Smith Square, the Royal Albert Hall,[7] Duke's Hall, Cadogan Hall, Birmingham Town Hall, Oxford Town Hall, the Zeughaus in Teufen,[8] Ittingen Charterhouse (Switzerland) and the Rudolfinum in Prague (Czech Republic).

It performed at the Royal Albert Hall Promenade Concert 40[9] in the 2012 season and the BBC Proms Millennium Day in 2000 which was organised by Kit Shepherd in conjunction with the BBC. NYWO has also been recorded on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

Conductors

Conductors have included Dr Glenn D.Price (Canada), Dr Matthew George (America), Dr James Gourlay (Scotland), Colin Touchin (England) 1969–89, Harry Legge OBE (England),[10] Peter Bassano (England), Tijmen Botma (Netherlands), Tourgny Hanson (Sweden), Dr Robert Childs (Wales).

Composition

NYWO continues to commission new works whenever possible, inviting composers and soloists to work closely with members of the orchestra on new compositions. The orchestra were invited to perform Gavin Higgins's[11] BBC Commission and world premiere, Der Aufstand, to much acclaim for the BBC Promenade Concert 40 in the 2012 season.[12]

Commissions by the NYWO[13]
(pre 1986, the British Youth Wind Orchestra)
Year Work Composer
1972 Introduction & Rondo (clarinet choir) Gordon Jacob
1974 Work for clarinet choir Edwin Roxburgh
1974 Wind Symphony Stephen Dodgson
1976 Concerto for Wind Orchestra David Morgan
Tonada Sefardita (clarinet choir) Leonard Salzedo
1977 Symphony 8 The Four Elements Wilfred Josephs
Epigrams from a Garden (sop & Cl choir) Stephen Dodgson
1979 Processiones Leonard Salzedo
1980 Scenes from an imaginary Ballet Graham Williams
1983 Sinfonietta Derek Bourgeois
1984 Ultramarine John Hopkins
1985 East Coast Sketches Nigel Hess
1986 Quiet Gordon Crosse
1987 1984 Dominic Muldowney
1988 Concert Dances Howard Blake
1991 Theatre Fountain Gary Carpenter
1992 Sinfonietta no 2 Philip Sparke
Symphony Our Hopes like Towering Falcons Colin Touchin
Bandwagon Stephen Dodgson
1994 Scenes from Breugel Adam Gorb[14]
2008 Gilded Theatre Kenneth Hesketh[15]

Charitable trust

NYWO is a registered charity (no. 1205305).[16] Current trustees are Mr Paul Harris,[17] Mr Andrew Somerville, Ms Catherine Millar, and Mr John Hutchins.

This orchestra relies wholly on charitable donations, gifts and sponsorship.

See also

References

  1. ^ Brown, John Robert (18 June 2005). "NYWO". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
  2. ^ "NYWO Biography". Classic fm. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
  3. ^ McGavin, Eric. "History". Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  4. ^ Reynish, Tim. "Stephen Dodgson NYWO". BASBWE.net. BASBWE. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02.
  5. ^ Bacchus, Jack (2021-02-09). "The Charities Act 2022 explained: Charity names". Bates Wells. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  6. ^ "Message from our patron NYWO". www.nywogb.com.
  7. ^ The Royal Albert Hall
  8. ^ Poster for NYWO concert, Zeughaus in Teufen (AR), 13 August 2013
  9. ^ "Prom 40: National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain & National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain". BBC Music Events.
  10. ^ Emerson, June (7 August 2000). "Harry Legge". The Guardian.
  11. ^ "Gavin Higgins". www.gavinhiggins.com.
  12. ^ "BBC Proms" (Press release). BBC. July 2012. Archived from the original on 2014-08-31. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  13. ^ Reynish, Timothy. "NYWO Compositions" (PDF). BASBWE.net. BASBWE. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  14. ^ "Adam Gorb". www.timreynish.com.
  15. ^ "Kenneth Hesketh". www.timreynish.com.
  16. ^ "THE NATIONAL YOUTH WIND ORCHESTRA - Charity 1205305". prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  17. ^ "Paul Harris – Biography". www.fabermusic.com.
  • NYWO Archives
  • National Youth Wind Orchestra Published Programmes

Sources

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