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)

Cyngherddau CGIC 2015 / NYOW Concerts 2015

Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Ieuenctid Cymru

National Youth Orchestra of Wales

Arweinydd / Conductor: Paul Daniel CBE

Dukas - La Peri

Schmitt - La Tragédie de Salomé

Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring

Prichard Jones Hall, Bangor

Neuadd Prichard Jones, Bangor

28 Gorffennaf / July 7.30pm
£14 (£12), £5 rhai dan 25 / under 25s
Tocynnau / Tickets - 03700 101 051
(Bydd costau daearyddol safonol o ffonau a ffonau symudol yn berthnasol /
   Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply)

Gŵyl y Tri Chôr, Eglwys Gadeiriol Henffordd

Three Choirs Festival, Hereford Cathedral
30 Gorffennaf / July 2.30pm

£34, £29, £24, £15, £10, £5
Tocynnau / Tickets - 0845 652 1823

Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli
31 Gorffennaf / July 7.30pm

£14 (£12), £5 rhai dan 25 / under 25s
Tocynnau / Tickets- 0845 226 3510

Neuadd Dewi Sant, Caerdydd
St David's Hall, Cardiff

1 Awst / August 7.30pm
£14 (£12), £5 rhai dan 25 / under 25s Tocynnau / Tickets - 029 2087 8444

www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

www.nyaw.co.uk / www.nyawperfformio.co.uk

Rhiannon's advice for Newbie Nashers!

“It’s hot. Your suitcase is heavy. The flip-flops you thought looked really cool are sliding off your feet and you can’t lug your instrument, stand, suitcase and uniform up the stairs. You feel your instrument case slipping from your already-overloaded shoulders. It’s going to be a disaster. It will fall, break, you’ll have let the orchestra down, your family down, and yourself down.

But then a welfare team member comes over, balancing a crate of water on one hip, and takes the weight of your suitcarrier, and pulls your instrument back up onto your shoulders. Their kind smile and helpfulness is a shining beacon of hope. Buck up chuck. It’s only day one and it’s going to get sweatier and heavier!

The first day of the residency is a whirlwind. Your schedule seems crammed, everyone is excited and noisy, the campus seems huge, but if you are a newbie this time, DO NOT FEAR! The welfare staff are more patient than saints, your section leader is definitely more scared of you than you are of them, and you’re about to make some lifelong friends who will become your summer family. Once you get assigned your room, the people in the same flat as you will either be newbies just as nervous as you, or old-timers who will love a new member to take under their wing. The evening ice-breakers might seem a little odd, and maybe like they’re not even chipping the ice, but if you learn a dozen names, those names will become your friends. Don’t be offended if people ignore your surname; it will be replaced with your instrument! I can’t remember the last time I was introduced as anything other than “Rhiannon Trombone”. 

Some of the traditions may seem bizarre, (for example, anything the brass sections does…) but those traditions are part of what makes you feel a member of something special, so embrace it. The first day is busy, so sleep well; leave all of the others down the SU, sleep the first night and you’ll survive the first week with minimal scarring! Similarly, find out where your sectional rooms are and, if you have sectionals first thing in the morning, take your stand with you to your room the night before! It will save those precious few moments between being just on time for your welfare group meeting and walking in just as notices come out, which is an awkward feeling whether you are new or old.

Smile, say your instrument after your name, and be brave. You’ll be rewarded with an amazing two weeks and friends that will last much longer than the course.”