Music makers

"The sound of the orchestra is one of the most magnificent musical sounds that has ever existed," said the famous jazz/ keyboardist and composer, Chick Corea, and walking into the Visakha Vidyalaya hall a few days ago, during a practice of the National Youth Orchestra, it was clear that the sound was magnificent. All the instruments playing in harmony, in sync with each other… There are certainly not many moments in which music can capture your heart, as this.

The National Youth Orchestra (NYO) was established in 1992, by the Ministry of Education. The suggestion was made by Ms. Maya Abeywickrama, who is at present the Consultant of Western Music at the Ministry of Education, with Japan coming forward with assistance in terms of the instruments for the orchestra.

The NYO has benefited over a 1000 students, right from the inception, coming from many parts of the island, which include, Anuradhapura, Ambalangoda, Bandarawela, Badulla, Divulapitiya, Galle, Ibbagamuwa, Kandy, Kalutara, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Karandeniya, Matara, Ratnapura, Wennappuwa, Colombo and the suburbs.

The Ministry of Education has a vote and decides whether funds will be put aside for a competition or an exhibition, this happens every other year. However, this year being the 15th Anniversary of the NYO, it was decided that there will be a performance by the orchestra.

There will be five conductors at this performance, which include Ajit Abeysekera, Manilal Weerakoon and Dayananda Fernando along with two past members of the orchestra, Dilan Angunaawela and Neomal Weerakoon.

It is clear that the NYO brings together musicians from various parts of the country and they have traditionally practised once a week on Saturdays. The anniversary concert will have 122 members performing, and I got the chance to have a chat with four of its members.

"I have been with the orchestra for six years," said Amal Abeysekera (18), leader of the orchestra. Amal is a student at Royal College, Colombo, and he plays the violin for the NYO. He has been playing the violin for about seven years, but started learning music on the piano at the age of six. Why switch to the violin, you may wonder? "I always liked the violin and when I started, I had to select between the two," was his simple answer. He practices around five to six hours a day, when he has to prepare for exams, but generally practices around two hours a day and goes for private coaching as well. From a very early age Amal has been influenced by music with his parents and sisters, all being musicians, adding, "I have always had music around me." His favourite work includes the Brahms Symphonies and works by Mozart.

The best part about being part of the NYO according to this young musician is, "being able to meet people from various areas," adding that the orchestra also gives an "opportunity for everyone to play together." He also said this concert will be "great for the western music students."

I was next introduced to Eroshan Kahandawaarachchi (25) who was a student of Maliyadewa Boys’ College, Kurunegala. What is interesting to note in his case is that he will be heading the NYO's Kurenegala branch from this year. Eroshan started playing the piano at the age of five, but realised he liked to learn the trumpet and started playing it for his school band. He also plays the trumpet for the NYO and incidentally, this concert will be his last, as a member of the NYO. "I must thank the Ministry because they gave me the instrument I play," he said.

His mother teaches Western Music at Maliyadewa Boys’ College and has contributed 30 years of service and he has always been exposed to music with everyone in his family being into music, which includes, his brother and sister.

I next spoke to Roshan Galvaduge (27) who is a past member of the NYO. Roshan studied at Mahinda College, Galle. He started off playing the trumpet at the age of 12 and also played for his school band. Roshan now plays for the Symphony Orchestra, but he plays the horn. "I was initially given the trumpet and I liked it a lot but there were a lot of trumpets and so he said he "mastered the horn." For this concert he will be playing as a guest member.

The NYO has a branch in Galle, and Roshan is in charge of it. He looks into the practices and organises band displays for events in the Southern Province. Explaining further, he said the southern province branch for the NYO is situated in Galle and kids from Matara, Hambantota and Galle, all come to Galle to be a part of the NYO's southern province branch.

Roshan feels that children from the outstations are given a lot of encouragement. He went on to say that coming from out of Colombo he was given a chance, adding, "I am thankful because I learnt everything from here."

Kushlani Sellahenn-edige (19), a student of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, plays the violin for the NYO, "I started with the violin as well and I started seven years ago."

Apart from attending the NYO's weekly practice, she also attends private classes. Her recorder teacher introduced her to the violin, however, she still plays the recorder and treble recorder. "I always wanted to join the orchestra," she said.

About her experience with the NYO, she had this to say. "You have to learn a lot, listen a lot and on the whole it is a good experience," adding, "when playing I have learnt to sit in one place and I consider this one of the skills I've acquired as well as keeping our backs straight!" She went on to say that it is "a lot of hard work."

"What I love about music is that you can really play it in different ways and allow your expressions come out."

So if you are interested in seeing these young musicians performing a variety of classical music including Rossini's Barber of Seville Overture, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture… just to name a few… you best be at the BMICH at 7 p.m. on September 20, 2007. For further information please contact the Western Music Unit of the Ministry on 278 7074.