Cambridge Heidelberg Montpellier Youth Orchestra

Transcription

1 Cambridge Heidelberg Montpellier Youth Orchestra This little booklet gives you some basic information about the Youth Orchestra Exchange. 1. Aims and Objectives 2. Organisation and Structure 3. The Music Part 4. The Hosting Part 5. The Social Side 6. Travelling abroad 7. The Three Cities 8. Safety and Security 9. Useful things to know 10. Commitments and Agreements 11. Background and History Aims and Objectives To provide the opportunity for young musicians to study and perform symphonic works for orchestra with professional conductors To enable students to experience the lifestyle and cultures of other European countries through international exchange hosted by families of students To develop a shared understanding between young people from different countries through social and musical interaction A Little Guide to the Tri-national Youth Orchestra Exchange

2 Organisation and Structure The orchestra visits each of the three countries in turn. The exchange is managed by organisations in each of the three countries. They work throughout the year to recruit the participants, plan the travel and liaise with the country hosting the exchange. When hosting, they also book all the rehearsal venues, obtain percussion instruments and other equipment, organise excursions and place students with hosting families. Two adults, one male, one female, accompany students abroad. They are CRB-checked. Each exchange lasts for about 10 days and is generally prioritised for students aged years old. Older students may continue attending the course until 21 if places are available and the organisers may take a few younger players each year. The exchange consists of rehearsals, usually during the daytime between 9am and 4pm; organised trips or events, usually in the early evening, and time available for hosting families or free time for students to meet up with each other. There is usually one day without rehearsals in the middle of the exchange, with a day trip away from the host city. The Music Part Each of the conductors chooses a piece or several movements from a piece to study during the rehearsals. Generally these pieces are for full symphonic orchestra and will be challenging, but rewarding, for less experienced players. The exchange aims to have 16 1st violins, 14 2nd violins, 12 violas, 8 cellos, 4 double basses, 3 each of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, trumpets and trombones, 4 horns, tuba and percussion as required. Each of the visiting countries aims to bring a third of these musicians, with the host country providing additional players as necessary. Although on occasions saxophones are able to join the course it is encouraged that they should bring a second orchestral instrument with them, otherwise they will mainly be playing a transposed part of another instrument. In addition to the final performance, there is an informal concert in which students play pieces of their own choice to each other and friends. Quite often students will work together to create small chamber ensembles. You may wish to take some suitable music with you. Musicians are expected to: Be on time for all rehearsals, including after rehearsal breaks Pay attention in rehearsals and not distract other players Bring a pencil and any mutes required Practise difficult sections of the music in their own time Look after and return all of their music at the end of the course Be professional in their approach to making music

3 The Hosting Part Each time a country hosts the exchange, the organisers have to find host families for up to 50 visiting players for 10 days. Families of the young musicians who are taking part or who may have taken part previously look after the visiting players and tutors. They provide them with meals including packed lunches on rehearsal days (or funds to buy food during the day). They also ensure that they are able to get to exchange events and rehearsals on time. Outside of organised activities host families may organise their own activities for their guests. It is usual to bring a small gift for your hosting family to show your appreciation for their hospitality. Participants always have a contact list to keep in touch with their friends. Please remember that families are looking after you as if you were part of their family. They are there, along with the accompanying adults on the course, to ensure your safety and well- being. The Social Side This exchange is a lot of fun. Each year many players come back to the course, not just because the repertoire is interesting and challenging, but because they have made good friends. There are many opportunities during the course for students to socialise with each other, on excursions, at special occasions and of course in their own time, with their host families' approval. Students are encouraged to use their common sense in the amount of late-night socialising they do families with younger guests will monitor this carefully. Older students should be able to manage the balance between a fun social life on the exchange and the sleep and energy required for 6 hours of music rehearsals on most days. If you appear to be getting the balance slightly wrong then accompanying adults may encourage you to have a quiet night in! Please also note the information on safety and security we do not want any young person to endanger themselves on this course. It has run successfully for many years without serious problems because the young people taking part have known how to have a good time, safely. Guests should remember: They should respect their host families' rules, particularly on mealtimes, keeping them informed about your whereabouts and returning home at appropriate times, keep rooms tidy and ask to use the telephone. To expect that other countries, families and homes will be different to their home. This is part of the exchange experience. Try to speak a little of the language if you can it will help! Host families should know: That they are not wholly responsible the accompanying adults are there to assist with any problems and issues that arise with guests.

4 Travelling Abroad For convenience, the Cambridge party usually travels via scheduled airline flights to both Montpellier and Heidelberg, though the use of coach travel is not ruled out. If travelling from Stansted, parents are asked to bring their child to the airport, or arrange for shared transport. Otherwise, the group travels by coach to Heathrow or Gatwick. Airport. Similarly a coach takes the group from Frankfurt and Montpellier airports to the cities to meet host families on arrival. The first evening is usually quiet to enable guests to meet and settle in with families. Smaller instruments, such as violins and wind instruments, will normally be carried as hand luggage, but remember that you will need to reduce your other hand luggage to compensate. Cellos will be booked their own seat. Other larger instruments will go in the hold. Any delicate instruments are handled by the manual loading facilities at the airports. The organisers arrange general travel insurance for the party but participants should arrange their own instrument insurance for travel abroad. There are always two responsible adults including the conductor travelling with the group throughout. The Three Cities Each of the twinned cities has its own character. Heidelberg Heidelberg is a small city in central Germany situated on a very pretty river. It has a very old part of town, with beautiful buildings and streets and a castle at the top of the city. There is a cable train up the steep valley side and to the hills beyond. The modern areas of the town are situated further away and are well- served by a very good tram and train system from outlying areas. The centre of town has a good market, shops and street cafés. The evening life revolves around an area of town next to the river called the Neckarwiese, which is well- patrolled by local police and is very safe. Montpellier Montpellier is a much larger city, about 30 minutes from the South Coast beaches of France. It has a contemporary city centre with good shopping, cafés and facilities for sports and arts. There is bus transport to the beaches until quite late at night, where much of the nightlife exists. It is common for everyone to decamp to the beaches after the rehearsals during the day at about 4pm when the sun and sea are still warm. Cambridge Cambridge is another city close to a beautiful river with very old and prestigious colleges, museums and other buildings. There is a vibrant arts scene and good shopping and facilities for sports. Transport systems are good within the city area but outlying villages are less easy to reach without car travel. Weather The weather in all three cities can be hot!

5 Safety and Security As well as the adults and host families, you are responsible for your own safety and security whilst away from home. The organisers cannot, and would not want to, be with you 24 hours a day. You should ensure that you look after all your possessions carefully while travelling do not leave bags unattended. Similarly, you should be careful with your money and valuables at all times, especially in public places. When out and about, please do not travel alone, go in groups of 2 or more. Older students should be aware that younger students may not be as confident in a different country and will appreciate being included and supported by you. Be guided by your host families as to where it is safe to go and at what time it is safe to return. Not all parts of big cities are pleasant places to be and travellers are easy targets. Checklists and Useful Information Things to take with you: Passport E111 health card get it via the Post Office in good time before the trip Remember to carry these two at ALL times Instrument/s plus spare reeds/strings and MUTES! Money (enough euros for spending and souvenirs; there shouldn t be any need to pay for food or travel) Present for your host Towel Swim suit (many pools will not allow shorts) Concert clothes (dark trousers, white shirt for males; all black for females; proper shoes for both) One set of smartish clothes for civic reception, etc Pencil and rubber General clothes for a 10 day stay If you have worries or concerns that you can t sort out or you find yourself stranded or in a difficult situation then use the contact numbers you have been provided to call your hosts or the adults travelling with you. They will not mind. Musical Terms Different countries use a variety of terms the conductors will in the main use their own language for speed. Remember that in German the note B is Bb and the note H is B natural. In French the keys or notes may be referred to as sol-fa terms with either high or low to indicate sharp or flat. Although Italian musical terms will generally work in all countries giving position is sometimes tricky in three languages and referring to particular instruments or sections varies too see below for some useful comparisons: English French German Strings Les chordes Die Streicher Woodwind Les vents (sometimes used to refer to wind and brass together) Die Holzbläser Brass Les cuivres Die Blechbläser Percussion La batterie Das Schlagzeug 9 bars before letter A Neuf mesures avant A Neun Takt vor A 5 After A Cinq après A Fünf nach A Upbow Pousser Aufstrich Downbow Tirer Abstrich

6 Commitments and Agreement The organisers and tutors on the course will endeavour to provide the best opportunity and experience in line with the aims and objectives of the exchange. They will keep participants and families informed on a regular basis of the progress of planning and development of the course each year. Students undertaking the exchange agree to read and abide by the guidelines for staying with hosts and participating in the symphony orchestra rehearsals and concert. They will bring any concerns to one of their accompanying adults at the earliest opportunity. The families of participants agree to host visiting students during a three year period of participation as part of their commitment to the exchange. Host families recognise their role in providing an appropriate home for visiting students and their partnership in the care of guests with the organisers and tutors on the course. They agree to bring any concerns to the attention of the appropriate organiser/accompanying adult as the earliest opportunity. Organisers reserve the right to send any participant home who is unable to act in a manner that is appropriate to the exchange. This includes inappropriate or illegal abuse of alcohol or drugs or inappropriate behaviour towards others. It should be emphasised that this has never happened to date due to the common sense and civilised behaviour that students have exhibited. Background and History The exchange began between Heidelberg and Cambridge in 1963 and has continued with various changes of conductors since that date, with Montpellier joining the course in the early 90 s. The exchange receives the support of the various city authorities, with civic receptions taking place as part of many exchanges. Its value in continuing collaboration and communication as part of the various twinning processes is recognised. On average between 80 and 90 students take part in the course each year, working on symphonic repertoire that in recent years has included the following works: Barber Adagio for Strings Williams Star Wars Suite Mendelssohn Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage Berlioz Marche Hongroise Copland Appalachian Spring Williams Harry Potter Suite Brahms Academic Festival Overture Britten Four Sea Interludes Mussorgsky Pictures from an Exhibition Bizet Carmen Suite Although the music forms the central focus of the exchange, the social and cultural aspects of the course are equally valued. Many students return to the course over several years. For more information please contact Linda Fairbrother on Elizabeth Arndt on or see our website at