Born out of the award-winning Newnham Croft Primary Senior Orchestra, this ensemble offers a valuable opportunity for students to immerse themselves in music, develop their talents and forge lasting friendships. Making music together is such a valuable part of learning an instrument; it encourages technical development and musical personality, and is a whole lot of fun!
The Cambridge Young Performers Orchestra is open to musicians playing orchestral instruments (including Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion) of approximately grade 4 standard and above. There is no need to have passed any formal examinations, and no audition is necessary. We also currently have space for 2 pianists to join the orchestra to play percussion; no prior experience is necessary, but grade 4+ level of note reading is required. Please do get in touch to discuss more or if you have any questions!
Students will benefit from structured weekly rehearsals during term-time and meaningful performance experiences with the chance to play a variety of different repertoire in an inclusive and supportive setting. To give you an idea of the kind of repertoire we play, last term we prepared a selection of themes from the film How to Train Your Dragon, the March for the Turkish Ceremony by Jean-Baptiste Lully from his comédie-ballet Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, Leopold Mozart's Sleigh Ride, music from Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake and a set of Celtic Airs and Dances. In Spring 2026 we will also be participating in the Cambridge Community Music Festival (CCMF).
Each termly concert will also provide the opportunity for selected students to perform solo pieces, providing perfect practice for exams, recitals and extra performance experience. Recently, the orchestra also participated in the Cambridge Community Music Festival competition, and received outstanding comments from the adjudicator, scoring 94/100 for their performance, and being invited to participate in the festival's celebration concert.
Timing: Thursdays 6.30-8pm during term-time (arrive from 6.15pm ready to start at 6.30pm)
Location: Newnham Croft Primary School
Cost: £96 per term (12 sessions)
Please complete the form below to register your interest!
Eloise Kendall - Founder & Director
Eloise Kendall is a highly experienced professional flautist, teacher and orchestra director and has been living and working in Cambridge since 2020.
After graduating with a first class honours degree in music from the University of Birmingham, Eloise completed a Master of Arts in Symphonic Orchestral Performance at the Academy of Music & Drama in Gothenburg, Sweden, and went on to lead a successful freelance career in both the UK and Scandinavia. Eloise has performed with numerous professional orchestras including the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Opera, Jonkopings Sinfonietta, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Opera under internationally-renowned conductors including Eva Ollikainen and Joana Mallwitz.
Eloise has a thriving private teaching practice of flute and piano students in Cambridge, and conducts two ensembles at Newnham Croft Primary School, as well as teaching at other local schools and the University of Cambridge.
Paulo Ghiglia - Director
After graduating summa cum laude from the Music Conservatoire of Pescara, Italy, Paulo went on to study at the Ecole de Musique et Danse of Aulnay-sous-Bois, Paris, with renowned flautist and conductor Patrick Gallois, where he was awarded the prestigious Prix d’Excellence à l’unanimité. He later completed his MA studies in Gothenburg, Sweden, under the guidance of Norwegian flautist Håvard Lysebo.
Paulo is an accomplished musician, and has performed with numerous orchestras and ensembles throughout Europe and Scandinavia, including the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Opera, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Vaasa Sinfonietta, Kymi Sinfonietta, Italian International Orchestra, the New English Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of Abruzzo. He has shared the stage with some of the best conductors and soloists in the world, such as Fabio Luisi, Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Klaus Makela, Barbara Hannigan, Dalia Stasevska, Eva Ollikainen, Pablo Fernandez, Joana Carneiro, Jasmine Choi, Vikingur Olafsson, Patrick Gallois and several others.
He has taken part in several orchestral CD recordings for Warner Music Finland, BIS Records, Ondine Records, Alba Records and has performed live on Finnish national Television YLE and National Italian Radio RAI Radio3.
Paulo lives in Cambridge since 2020, where he enjoys teaching and occasionally performing in duo with piano or guitar. He has been Professor of Flute at the Music Conservatoire of Cosenza (Italy) and currently teaches at the Stamford Schools, St Francis College and Newnham Croft Primary as well as privately. He is known for his friendliness and patience.
Who can join?
The orchestra is open to all musicians who play orchestral instruments at approximately grade 4 standard and above, ages 10+. A good level of sight-reading is helpful, but parts will be given to take home. There's no audition and no need to have passed any formal examinations. Please do get in touch if you're not sure!
What repertoire do we perform?
We play a variety of different repertoire each term, including classical pieces, film music, folk music, and music from operas and ballets. There is always a variety of different genres, eras and arrangements so hopefully there is something for everyone, and this also provides a great opportunity to experience and learn about different periods and styles of music.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will take place at Newnham Croft Primary School, Chedworth St, Cambridge CB3 9JF.
Timing: Thursdays 6.30-8pm during term-time.
How do I sign up?
Please complete the above form to get in touch and find out more information regarding sign-up! Students are welcome to join even if term has started, so please complete the form and I'll get back to you as soon as possible with joining information.
