Rachel wins youth summer school place

Rachel Longwell, who has just finished her studies at Foyle and Londonderry College is keeping busy while waiting for her A Level results.

The gifted teenager's talents don't end with her musical ability - in September she is set to move into third level education in Scotland where she will study Medicine.

Meanwhile, music takes priority, and the ten-day residential course of workshops and rehearsals will be held at Greenmount Agricultural College in Antrim and ends with two public performances at the Guildhall, Londonderry on Friday 20th of August, and in the Ulster Hall, Belfast on Saturday 21st August.

The Ulster Youth Orchestra is preparing to provide its own unique 'classical' interpretation of one of the greatest love stories ever told.

Leonard Bernstein's great 20th century version of Romeo and Juliet set in New York's West Side will be the main focus of the first half of this year's concerts in Londonderry and Belfast with the UYO set to bring talent, energy and passion to this masterpiece of melody and rhythm.

In the second half, the Orchestra will explore the sweeping and rich sonorities of Sergey Rachmaninov's romantic epic, the Symphony No2 in E Minor.

As has now become customary, the programme will open with a new composition. UYO has commissioned Northern Irish composer, Bill Campbell, to write a new piece entitled "Scotia", which is a tone poem reflecting historical events concerning Scotland and Ireland.

UYO general manager Stanley Foreman said: "We are delighted to welcome Nicholas Braithwaite back to the podium for this, his third visit as musical director of the UYO.

"Our young musicians will have the opportunity to further develop their orchestral skills supported by our team of internationally acclaimed tutors."

The 100 musicians in the Orchestra will embark on ten days of intensive rehearsals at a residential in Greenmount Agricultural College in Antrim next month, culminating in the concert at the Guildhall in on Friday, August 20 and the Ulster Hall in Belfast on Saturday, August 21.

The UYO is grateful for the substantial core funding provided by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Rachel said: "I have been playing the violin for 10 years now after being given one in primary four as I wasn't big enough to even lift a cello! As my whole family can testify, the screeches and scrapes at the start were hard work but I stuck with it and it has definitely been worth it.

"The violin for me is a great way to relax and express myself and it's a good way to meet other young people my age.

"It has also given me the opportunity to travel a bit.

"In 2007 I toured Belgium with the WELB senior youth orchestra and in March of this year I got to travel to London with my music teacher and a fellow student to play for the Merchant Taylor's company on behalf of my school. I feel music will now always be a part of my life.

"Next year I plan to go to Aberdeen University to study Medicine but I intend to keep playing the violin and immerse myself fully in musical life."

Now firmly established as the national youth orchestra of Northern Ireland, the UYO is regarded as one of the jewels in the crown of the local arts scene and its breathtaking performance at a prestigious festival in Germany two years ago enhanced its international reputation.

Gavin O'Connor, Youth Arts Officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: "The Arts Council is proud to support the Ulster Youth Orchestra as it continues to go from strength to strength each year performing increasingly technically demanding works.

"This season's programme of concerts in Derry and Belfast will bring together a selection of some of our most promising young classical musicians to embark on what will surely be one of their most exciting and challenging performances to date."

Tickets for the Londonderry concert can be obtained from the Millennium Forum box office, online at www.millenniumforum.co.uk and for the Ulster Hall concert from www.belfastcity.gov.uk/ulsterhall.