Orange Youth Orchestra - Premiering Sydney!

Report form the OYO's trip to Sydney by concert-master Stephanie Baker.

After a cold, early start to the morning, 40 excited young musicians aged 10-16 boarded the bus heading for Sydney to participate in the NSW Big Play 2007. Our Director Graham Sattler, Conductor Prem Love, and five parent chaperones accompanied us for the trip which ran from Friday 6th July into the very early hours of the following Monday.

After arriving late to our first rehearsal (and leaving all the percussion gear in Orange!) at Paddington Town Hall, we met with the Orange County Junior Orchestra and began rehearsing. The orchestra then expanded to include the Indiana Honour Band, Michigan Honour Band, and Villanova College (AKA Vanilla Boys) from Queensland to prepare our major work ‘Dazzling Lights’ by internationally recognised composer Roger Cichy. We were very fortunate to be conducted by Dr. Mathew George, our Artistic Director for the festival.

The night closed with dinner at The Roundhouse UNSW, and yes it is actually round! The Americans were shown how us Aussies ‘bush dance’ and we had a great time socialising and dancing (some better than others, hint hint Chris!). We then proceeded to Alfred Park Accommodation in Surrey Hills, which was to be our home for the next few days.
After waking to a hot breakfast and a session of interpretive dance in the park across the road, we returned to Town Hall to again rehearse (and socialise) with our new friends in preparation for our first concert that afternoon. We had lunch in the ‘park’ down the road and a very nice dinner at the local RSL. Everything ran smoothly and the orchestra performed their 4 solo pieces and combined piece with OCJO admirably.

Sunday morning saw us once again up very early, bags packed, ready to depart for the Sydney Opera House. After passing our security check we were taken through to the green, red, and blue rooms to leave our instrument cases and concert dress. More rehearsals followed this, and finally we were getting ready for our major concert. All the hair straightners came out, and we got to work. Once ready, we went off to socialise again and prepare ourselves for possibly the biggest performance of our lives so far. Apart from nerves and a broken violin bow, the night was a great success and everyone had a wonderful time. It is perhaps the best the Orange Youth Orchestra has performed, and lots of people (including conductors from America) commented on our professionalism and musicality.

After our farewells and congratulations’, we all got back on the bus for the trip home. Most of the troupe slept, but some of us didn’t stop talking the whole way. Dinner at McDonalds or Red Rooster was a change to what we had eaten the past few days.
Thankyou to all the parents who accompanied us, I’m sure you had just as good a time as we did. Many thanks also to G & A Davis for transport, and of course a big thanks to Prem for preparing us so well for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Last but not least, huge thanks must go out to Graham. He spent a long time organising this trip for us, getting grants to cover all costs and working on the schedule. We won’t forget all the time and effort put in to make this possible. What a great experience!

By Stephanie Baker