TWO TEENAGERS from North Worcestershire have been awarded places in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain 2019, writes Ryan Smith.
Frank Coughlan, 16, and Megan Grainger, 15, are among 164 young people from all over the world to be given the exciting opportunity.
Frank, who lives in Bromsgrove and attends Shrewsbury School, has been playing the trumpet for nine years.
He said: “I’m really excited to be part of the National Youth Orchestral of Great Britain because I am looking forward to learning some new orchestral pieces whilst working alongside other talented musicians.
“This is a great opportunity for me to improve my trumpet playing, make new friends and to perform in some amazing venues across the country.”
Megan is from Alvechurch and has played violin for ten years.
After playing the instrument through Crown Meadow First School and Alvechurch Crown Meadow, she now continues to play at King Edwards Five Ways School in Bartley Green.
Megan said: “It’s an incredible opportunity to be part of the National Youth Orchestra.
“I will be meeting other like-minded teenage musicians and creating orchestral performances at a really high level. “We will tour the country playing in the most wonderful concert halls and working with world-famous conductors. It’s a dream come true.”
The orchestra has been running for 70 years and will tour the UK next year, including the Royal Festival Hall, London, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
The first ever tour to the USA in its history is also planned for 2019.
Visit www.nyo.org.uk for more information on the National Youth Orchestra.
