August 19, 2024

Happy Monday, folks! We've got a high note to hit — or maybe a low one, depending on how you look at it. The San Francisco Symphony Chorus is hinting at a strike. We don't want to say things are getting tense, but rumour has it the basses and tenors are already practicing their 'angry picket line chants'.

P.S. It’s our hundredth issue! 🎉

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In this week’s email:

The big idea: Youth orchestras are training grounds for life
Making news: Los Angeles’ Colburn School of Music receives $16.6 Million donation
Talking points: Students gather for World Orchestra Week
Laugh of the week

CLASSICAL CHARTZ

Weekly selections are based on sales numbers and albums we simply love and think you NEED to hear!

For the complete top 20, tune into Classical Chartz with the New Classical FM’s Mark Wigmore every Saturday from 3-5 pm EST!

THE BIG IDEA

Youth Orchestras are Training Grounds for Life

Youth orchestras like the Toronto Youth Symphony Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada are more than just stepping stones to a career in music —they’re also powerful catalysts for personal growth. According to a recent UK study, participating in these ensembles doesn't just sharpen musical skills; it also nurtures essential life skills, preparing young musicians for success both on and off the stage.

A Deeper Dive into Life Skills

The study, led by researcher Anna Bussu, involved interviews with 15 adolescents aged 12-18 who were part of a long-term music program in North-West England. These young musicians were immersed in a comprehensive orchestral experience that included instrument instruction, performances, and specialized techniques. The findings were clear: participating in a youth orchestra boosts self-confidence, enhances cognitive skills, and fosters greater self-awareness and resilience.

However, the most significant gains were seen in communication and interpersonal skills. These musicians weren’t just learning to read music—they were learning to read the room, navigate social dynamics, and collaborate with their peers. On the flip side, the study also identified challenges, such as adapting to new techniques and managing the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies rigorous training. But it’s in overcoming these challenges that many of the most valuable life lessons are learned.

The Role of Community and Mentorship

The study also underscored the critical role of adult guidance and peer mentoring. The community aspect of youth orchestras provides a support system that enhances the learning experience. Social connections formed within the orchestra often have a lasting impact, with older students frequently returning to reconnect and mentor younger members. This sense of community and teamwork is not just a byproduct but a core component of the developmental benefits observed.

Why It Matters

This study adds to a growing body of research that supports the multifaceted value of youth orchestras and ensembles. In a world where soft skills are increasingly valued, youth orchestras provide an environment where young people can hone these abilities in tandem with their artistic growth. This insight is crucial for educators, funders, and policymakers who may still view music programs as extracurricular rather than essential. — MV

SAVE THE DATE

Azrieli Music Prizes Gala Concert

This October, prepare to be captivated as we celebrate a monumental milestone—the 10th Anniversary of the Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP). Renowned for catapulting contemporary composers onto the world stage, AMP has grown into Canada’s premier music competition and a global beacon of artistic innovation.

Join us on October 28th, 2024, at the exquisite Maison symphonique de Montréal for an evening of musical brilliance at the 2024 AMP Gala Concert. Experience the exhilarating world premieres of works by this year's AMP Laureates:

Josef Bardanashvili - Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music
Yair Klartag - Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music
Jordan Nobles - Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music
Juan Trigos - Inaugural Azrieli Commission for International Music

These distinguished composers have drawn inspiration from diverse and profound sources—from the hymns of the Old Testament to the haunting landscapes of Canada, offering a rich tapestry of sound that transcends cultural boundaries.

Under the masterful direction of conductor Andrew Megill and performed by the celebrated l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal Chorus, this concert promises to be the pinnacle of the AMP calendar.

Tickets are available now, with prices ranging from $30 to $85—an opportunity to witness unparalleled musical artistry without parallel.

FULL DETAILS HERE

TOUR DE HEADLINES

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (Courtesy photo)

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Musicians Call for Management to Step Down — Musicians of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra have overwhelmingly called for the resignation of senior management following the cancellation of Jayson Gillham's performance, citing a misalignment with the orchestra's values and a deteriorating workplace culture. | Limelight

11 Places Every Classical Music Fan Should Visit in Their Lifetime — Eleven must-visit locations for classical music fans, including historic opera houses, composer museums, iconic music festivals, and final resting places of legendary composers, offering a rich tapestry of experiences that bring the history and magic of classical music to life. | Classic FM

Five of the Best Books About Classical Music — Five outstanding books that weave classical music into their narratives, including Music and Silence by Rose Tremain, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, Amsterdam by Ian McEwan, Gone: A Girl, a Violin, a Life Unstrung by Min Kym, and Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens, each exploring the profound impact of music on the human experience. | The Guardian

English National Opera Announces New Chorus Director — Matthew Quinn has been appointed as the new Chorus Director of the English National Opera, expressing his excitement about joining the esteemed company and leading its internationally renowned chorus, with his first production being La Bohème at the Coliseum in September. | Opera Wire

Symphonies and Opera Houses Need to Innovate as Funding Crunch Bites — Symphony orchestras and opera houses across the UK, US, and Germany face financial challenges, requiring innovation and resourcefulness to secure funding and adapt to changing economic conditions. | Financial Times

MAKING NEWS

Colburn School (Courtesy photo)

Los Angeles’ Colburn School of Music Receives $16.6 Million Donation

The University of Southern California’s Colburn School has been given a $16.6 Million landmark gift. Donated by the Neuganee Foundation, the gift will fund and enhance the pre-established Neuganee Conducting Program.

What’s going on: On August 12th, the Colburn School at the University of Southern California announced receipt of a $16.6 million gift from the Neuganee Foundation. The gift will help to fortify its already established Negaunee Conducting Program, led by Finnish conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen. The program fosters the careers of 12 exceptional young conductors under Salonen’s mentorship. Announced as this year’s Salonen Fellow is the Turkish-German conductor, pianist and composer Mert Yalniz.

Tell me more…: Alumni of the Negaunee Conducting Program now hold positions with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where Salonen is music director.

Another addition to the Colburn School’s conducting program will be Esa-Pekka Salonen’s extensive annotated score collection. Featuring over 1,400 works from throughout the conductor’s storied career, the collection also includes works by contemporary composers as well as Salonen’s original compositions. Not a bad reason for young conductors to move to Tinseltown. — SS

TALKING POINTS

Gustavo Dudamel poses with students at World Orchestra Week (Photo: Video still captured from World Orchestra Week/Facebook)

Students Gather for World Orchestra Week

The week of August 6th, students from across the world gathered at Carnegie Hall for World Orchestra Week. The festival featured more than 700 students from 38 countries.

Driving the news: Earlier this month, New York City’s Carnegie Hall hosted its first ever World Orchestra Week. Hundreds of students from countries including Afghanistan, China, Israel, Nigeria, Palestine, Ukraine, and Venezuela gathered to collaborate and perform at Carnegie Hall.

Each night, a different orchestra took centre stage at Carnegie. Top conductors graced the podium, including celebrity Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel who conducted the National Children’s Symphony of Venezuela as well as a mass “play-in” featuring all 700 young musicians.

Digging deeper: Many of the students who converged in New York were given a respite from their lives in war-torn countries in the Global South. The young musicians expressed in messages and interviews the difficulties of living in undemocratic countries lacking opportunities for female and female-identifying people as well as people of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you missed these young starlets’ New York minute, broadcasts of the performances can still be heard on WQXR.— SS

GAMES

Nothing says Monday like a mini-crossword .

LAUGH OF THE WEEK

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