A SOLIHULL teenager has been accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
Maisie Stewart, aged 16, is one of only 164 people in the country to make the cut for next year’s programme of events.
The Solihull School student has played the violin for 11 years, achieving a diploma standard.
The NYO is one of the world’s most celebrated platforms for young musicians to develop and achieve precocious high standards.
Maisie was selected following 76 days of auditions held in 11 cities across the country, with 710 musicians taking part.
She said: “I’m really excited to be part of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain because I love being able to share my passion of music with others and to create that connection which is so unique and unlike anything else you can experience.
“Being surrounded by so many talented musicians helps inspire me to become not only a better player, but a better person as well.”
Maisie will begin by rehearsing in residence at the University of Warwick with conductor Kirill Karabits – chief conductor of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
She will then tour Warwick Arts Centre (January 4), London’s Barbican (January 5) and Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall (January 7).
NYO returns to the Barbican in February to take part in the world premiere performance of ‘National Anthem’ written by British Indian musician Nitin Sawhney.
The piece is intended to reflect modern day characteristics of Great Britain: Brexit, multi-culturalism, diversity and openness.
NYO will then be joined by Mexican conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto in April to explore music by American and Latin American composers.
It will then tour the Southbank Centre (April 12), Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (April 13) and Birmingham’s Symphony Hall (April 14).
The orchestra will then go on its first US tour, involving potential trips to New York’s Carnegie Hall and Chicago’s Ravinia Festival.
