Emily shares her thoughts on Nash concert venues

One of the best feelings for me is when you’re touring, you’re exhausted and aching after days of rehearsals and you’re finally on your way to a concert. This is it – the moment you’ve been preparing for. The bus journeys are long and the chants coming from the back of the bus are loud but you can’t help but join in. Then, after screaming the words to Bohemian Rhapsody at the top of your lungs, you finally arrive at the concert venue, and oh my goodness it’s beautiful.

Last year’s course took us to St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, The Sage (Gateshead), St Asaph Cathedral and the ever popular St David’s Hall in Cardiff. All of these are absolutely stunning venues. For me, my favourite venue was probably St David’s Cathedral. The acoustics were mind blowing. It’s such a great feeling to hear that final chord of a piece booming around the venue after you’ve finished playing.

I always do a quick Google images search for the venues that we will be playing in before the course (please tell me I’m not the only one that does this?) and this year’s venues do not disappoint! I’m really looking forward to each one but I’m particularly excited to play in Hereford Cathedral! I’d really recommend looking it up if you haven’t already. What an amazing venue.

All of the concerts last year were amazing. The post-concert buzz that everyone gets is incredible and the excitement on the buses after leaving the venue knowing that you’ve just pulled of a pretty amazing concert is insane. Everybody has so much energy. However, the final concert in Cardiff is a special one. Everybody knows that it’s the end of the course and, my goodness, we end the course on a high! There are some emotional goodbyes between friends, many hugs and ‘see you next year’s. Yet, these people were complete strangers to you just two weeks ago! It just shows how much the Nash really gets you to bond with other people. Everyone is friends with everyone and they will go on to becoming your friends for life. You’ll never forget the Nash (especially your first course) so make the most of it. The Nash is truly an unforgettable experience. (Emily Jones, Violin)