London – Week 1

Tuesday 28 January
Wigmore Hall Learning: Met with Cath Sewell where I gained a very thorough and in depth knowledge about Wigmore’s early years, school and outreach learning programs. Particularly of interest was the inclusive approach that all types of music and music making are valued as equal and where the focus is about quality learning experiences which ideally have some legacy.

Wednesday 29 January – Friday 31 January
Association of British Orchestras Conference
LSO St Luke’s and Barbican Centre
The two and a half day conference featured presentations from music educators, orchestral management, musicians and public servants from funding agencies. The presentations which ranged from place-making, youth orchestras, digital learning, how orchestras engage with society to music education were all very inspiring and thought provoking. Many of the presentations gave me ideas as to things which AdYO might like to do or could do better.

Some of the highlights of the sessions included Sarah Alexander’s presentation about the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Music Hubs case studies and how the CEO of Detroit Symphony has recreated the organisation’s purpose to ensure it remains relevant and valued during a time of financial turmoil. This is barely scratching the surface as nearly every presentation was highly memorable, informative and demonstrated interesting and new ideas.

As part of the conference I also attended a Reception hosted by The Lord Mayor of London at Mansions House, a LSO concert with Janine Jansen performing Brahms Violin Concerto and a memorable conference dinner with great company and choral singing of Verdi and Britten led by the LSO’s Chorus Master, Simon Halsey.

Before starting my second week in London, I was fortunate to enjoy two relaxing days with my Aunt and Uncle in North Somerset near Bristol.