The National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYOC) is recognized for being a strong bridge between music education and a music career, providing comprehensive and rigorous training that challenges talented youth all across Canada to become skilled orchestral musicians. Extremely competitive, over 600 young musicians will audition for the coveted 90-100 positions in the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and the chance to gain valuable personal, sectional, chamber and orchestral instruction in the summer. So intensive is this training, taking place six days a week, 8 a.m to 10 p.m, that it is often referred to as “orchestral boot camp”!
The NYOC are currently on their 2013 national concert tour, stopping by in Calgary where I was able to hear their amazing performance in the Jack Singer concert hall. The programme included one of my favourites, Wagner’s Flying Dutchman Overture, Copland’s El Salon Mexico, Debussy’s La mer and a new personal favourite, Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor, played by the talented Blake Pouliot. A treat included all members of the orchestra singing not one, but two choral pieces to conclude and dazzle the audience after an amazing concert.
After this great performance, I had the great opportunity backstage to interview two Calgarian members of NYOC, Gregory Burns, who plays trombone and Jonathan Yeoh, who plays double bass. Having survived their intensive “orchestral boot camp,” their reward is a national wide tour, having already visited Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. Meeting with so many young musicians playing at a very high calibre can be intimidating, but it pressures both of musicians to lay everything out on the table and play their best, while making great friendships and summer memories. Sessions become ones where fellow sectional musicians simply have to look at each in order to communicate their mood in the moment.
Both of these young musicians are dedicated to perfecting their craft, practicing for at least 3-4 hours a day, which requires solid discipline. It seems that habits start young, as these two have already developed those pre-performance rituals to ease nerves. For Gregory, a nice polish of his dress shoes does the trick, while Jonathan enjoys a physical cleanse before a concert. With post-concert rituals, these classical musicians don’t skip a beat and celebrate in style with a drink or two.
But when was the moment when you got lost in classical music and realize it has become your passion? It was the first time hearing a orchestra performing Mahler on a CD for Gregory and then in high school, that was when classical music fully resonated with Gregory. Jonathan responds that music was a huge part of his life since junior high school, continued his passion in high school and through to university, where he is a second year student in the music program at the University of Calgary.
Even talented and promising young musicians get stage fright, right? “Yes…but it’s the screw ups that makes us human.” Jonathan reveals, smiling as he recommends that making these mistakes, getting the worst out of the way, makes for a better attitude and confidence towards playing one’s instrument. “I’d rather play with more passion and make mistakes….” Gregory adds, also smiling while confirming the best mistakes to make are those with brilliant passion.
Before music had “taken over his life,” Jonathan actively pursued Kinesiology and sports, including rowing and wrestling. He’s also a huge fan of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Gregory is at home in his scholarly pursuits of philosophy and the history of composers and science. Interesting tidbit was the different genres Gregory also listened to, ranging from electronic, funk to old rock.
Their advice for other young and aspiring musicians? “Keep at it… keep those doors open, because you don’t know what will happen,” Jonathan recommends. Gregory also suggests to be able to build discipline and being able to control yourself while learning, but to “learn something you do like.”
I want to thank Marie Pollock, publicist for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, in providing this wonderful opportunity! The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has a new and exciting program for the 2013/2014, some fan favourites and amazing guest artists are there, so treat yourself to live music!