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!
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The Cambridge Young Performers Orchestra is open to secondary school-aged musicians (Yrs 7-13) 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. Please do get in touch to arrange a time to come and try out the orchestra if you are unsure!
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​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, this term we are preparing 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.
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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.
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Timing: Thursdays 6.30-7.45pm during term-time (arrive from 6.15pm ready to start at 6.30pm)
Location: Newnham Croft Primary School
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Please complete the form below to register your interest or find out more!
Eloise Kendall - Director
Eloise Kendall is a highly experienced professional flautist, teacher and orchestra director and has been living and working in Cambridge since 2020.
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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.
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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.
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Who can join?
The orchestra is open to all secondary-aged students (Yrs 7-13) who play orchestral instruments at approximately grade 4 standard and above. 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 have any questions!
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 6.30-7.45pm 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.