Young Mannheim Symphonists NSW Intensive Culminates In Concert

The 2022 Young Mannheim Symphonists NSW Intensive, presented by the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, took place at the Santa Sabina College in Strathfield with a final concert at Hills Grammar School in Kenthurst last Saturday.

Students between the ages of 11 and 23 from right across NSW and the ACT.

The program was directed by orchestra co-artistic directors, Rachael Beesley and Nicole van Bruggen.

Participants plunged into masterpieces by Emilie Mayer, Mozart and Beethoven, and after four days of workshops, tutorials and orchestral rehearsals performed a public concert showcasing the ambitious repertoire they had prepared through the week.

Their directors and tutors were principal musicians of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra - professionals specialising in historically informed performance (HIP) on period instruments.

They are passionate about understanding our musical heritage in the context in which it was created and are even more passionate about inspiring and enlightening others.

Director Rachael Beesley said it was amazing to see the growth of the Young Mannheim Symphonists, this year providing musicians from around the country the opportunity to be part of this unique youth orchestra program.

“The students have the practical experience of playing on period instruments, learning about the nuances of the sounds and textures of these instruments, as well as benefitting from the excitement of playing side-by-side with our professional tutors,” Ms Beesley said.

“Seminars about the history and context of each work provide insights into historically informed performance, while the harmonic, rhythmic and rhetorical language of Classical and Romantic music is brought alive during the rehearsals, culminating in a public performance.”

The Young Mannheim Symphonists National Winter Academy is set to take place in Sydney in July and the Victorian state-based Intensive will take place in the spring.

Applications and auditions for the 2023 courses will open in October.

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