Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra
Discussion
Has anybody heard of or seen these guys?
They're the culmination of a Venezuelan public music programme aimed at rescuing vulnerable kids and educating them.
They've done a couple of Proms in the last couple of years, and although I had heard they were amazing and really brought the music alive, I took it with a pinch of salt.
Anyway, they've got a residency at the Royal Festival Hall this week and I scored a couple of comps for tonight which was a chamber music concert.
I have to say that I have never heard anything like it. The brass ensemble in particular were absolutely knockout. I've heard some of the best orchestras, ensembles, & musicians in the world, and these guys were up there. The sheer enthusiasm, commitment, and joy - not to mention talent and raw ability - were infectious and amazing to behold.
OK, "youth orchestra" may be a bit far fetched as some of them are nearly 30, but they really are incredible.
If you have a chance, get yourself down there this week and listen to them. On Saturday night they are doing Stravinksy's Rite of Spring which should be electric, but unfortunately I am already working.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlAaiBNCYU4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN7or677Zl4
ETA - I notice they are doing the Brass Ensemble concert again on Friday eve at 6pm. Get there if you can, you won't regret it. Simply amazing.
They're the culmination of a Venezuelan public music programme aimed at rescuing vulnerable kids and educating them.
They've done a couple of Proms in the last couple of years, and although I had heard they were amazing and really brought the music alive, I took it with a pinch of salt.
Anyway, they've got a residency at the Royal Festival Hall this week and I scored a couple of comps for tonight which was a chamber music concert.
I have to say that I have never heard anything like it. The brass ensemble in particular were absolutely knockout. I've heard some of the best orchestras, ensembles, & musicians in the world, and these guys were up there. The sheer enthusiasm, commitment, and joy - not to mention talent and raw ability - were infectious and amazing to behold.
OK, "youth orchestra" may be a bit far fetched as some of them are nearly 30, but they really are incredible.
If you have a chance, get yourself down there this week and listen to them. On Saturday night they are doing Stravinksy's Rite of Spring which should be electric, but unfortunately I am already working.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlAaiBNCYU4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN7or677Zl4
ETA - I notice they are doing the Brass Ensemble concert again on Friday eve at 6pm. Get there if you can, you won't regret it. Simply amazing.
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Thursday 16th April 01:20
Yes, I don't know how it works but the major thing for me was the complete commitment and enthusiasm from them all - I was there with a couple of kids from the youth orchestra I tutor - I could hear them muttering "why don't we do stuff like this?". I thought "when you put in that level of commitment and enthusiasm and don't treat rehearsals just as a time to catch up with your mates I'll be the first to turn it up a notch!" 
Seriously, they are the cream of the cream from the project, so no doubt some have fallen by the wayside, but they are pretty special.
Seriously, they are the cream of the cream from the project, so no doubt some have fallen by the wayside, but they are pretty special.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Yes, I don't know how it works but the major thing for me was the complete commitment and enthusiasm from them all - I was there with a couple of kids from the youth orchestra I tutor - I could hear them muttering "why don't we do stuff like this?". I thought "when you put in that level of commitment and enthusiasm and don't treat rehearsals just as a time to catch up with your mates I'll be the first to turn it up a notch!"
Seriously, they are the cream of the cream from the project, so no doubt some have fallen by the wayside, but they are pretty special.
Completely agree. It's amazing what such enthusiasm can do for the quality of the music. I was always a bit sniffy about amateur orchestras after leaving university, but when I did eventually join a very good one, I was amazed at the quality and the high standard of performance, and this was definitely helped by the level of enthusiasm from players and conductor. We even managed to get an award in the national newspapers for a CD we made. Seriously, they are the cream of the cream from the project, so no doubt some have fallen by the wayside, but they are pretty special.
Oh yes.
I've worked with some pro orchestras who I wouldn't want to work with again because it was such a depressing atmosphere - just a day job, and whilst the quality of music is there, it often feels like just "going through the motions"
I've also worked with some amateur orchestras who may not have the polish or ability of a pro orchestra, but the commitment and enthusiasm are infectious. I often get more of a buzz playing with them!
I see you are in London - there are some excellent amateur orchestras who, on a good day, can give a performance as good as some of the pro bands (and often more exciting too!) - Forest Philharmonic, Kensington Symphony, Ernest Read Symphony, Fulham Symphony, Salomen, etc., etc.
I've worked with some pro orchestras who I wouldn't want to work with again because it was such a depressing atmosphere - just a day job, and whilst the quality of music is there, it often feels like just "going through the motions"
I've also worked with some amateur orchestras who may not have the polish or ability of a pro orchestra, but the commitment and enthusiasm are infectious. I often get more of a buzz playing with them!
I see you are in London - there are some excellent amateur orchestras who, on a good day, can give a performance as good as some of the pro bands (and often more exciting too!) - Forest Philharmonic, Kensington Symphony, Ernest Read Symphony, Fulham Symphony, Salomen, etc., etc.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Oh yes.
I've worked with some pro orchestras who I wouldn't want to work with again because it was such a depressing atmosphere - just a day job, and whilst the quality of music is there, it often feels like just "going through the motions"
I've also worked with some amateur orchestras who may not have the polish or ability of a pro orchestra, but the commitment and enthusiasm are infectious. I often get more of a buzz playing with them!
I see you are in London - there are some excellent amateur orchestras who, on a good day, can give a performance as good as some of the pro bands (and often more exciting too!) - Forest Philharmonic, Kensington Symphony, Ernest Read Symphony, Fulham Symphony, Salomen, etc., etc.
Yes, I played with KSO for about 8 years - fantastic orchestra. I've worked with some pro orchestras who I wouldn't want to work with again because it was such a depressing atmosphere - just a day job, and whilst the quality of music is there, it often feels like just "going through the motions"
I've also worked with some amateur orchestras who may not have the polish or ability of a pro orchestra, but the commitment and enthusiasm are infectious. I often get more of a buzz playing with them!
I see you are in London - there are some excellent amateur orchestras who, on a good day, can give a performance as good as some of the pro bands (and often more exciting too!) - Forest Philharmonic, Kensington Symphony, Ernest Read Symphony, Fulham Symphony, Salomen, etc., etc.
(that's the nearest smiley I could find...)NiceCupOfTea said:
Horn. I used to do quite a few after I'd left college (late 90s) when they drank in that pub over the road from Thomas More - got exceedingly drunk in there a couple of times!
I remember doing Heldenleben & Mahler 6 in 98 or 99! Do you know Drunken Duncan? Very good friend of mine!
We probably overlapped at some point - I was always in the pub over the road until they closed it. I'm useless with names, but as far as the brass go, I know the trombonist Anthony reasonably well...I remember doing Heldenleben & Mahler 6 in 98 or 99! Do you know Drunken Duncan? Very good friend of mine!
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