Youth orchestra enjoys successful trip to Bergen
THERE was a cultural exchange in Bergen recently as the Shetland Youth Orchestra (SYO) travelled to Norway for its annual summer school.
A total of 35 bairns and eight adults made the 45-minute flight to Bergen last week for four days of rehearsals and sight-seeing.
Their weekend was spent rehearsing in Skjold school, with the SYO joined for some of their pieces by young musicians from Bergen.
After rehearsals, Andy Kain and Kerem Tekcan led an evening of Shetland dancing, where the Shetland youngsters partnered up with the Norwegians.
Monday was spent busking in Bergen city centre, with music from Trevor Jamieson and family, the SYO brass section, traditional fiddlers and singers and guitarists.
This was followed by more rehearsals in the evening and “much singing and merriment” back at the youth hostel.
The final day included a trip to the house of composer Greig, a piano recital of his music and the SYO’s own concert in the evening at the Fana Kulturhus.
The concert featured two traditional Shetland tunes, Schubert’s unfinished symphony, Lord of the Rings and a tribute the composer Henry Mancini, of Pink Panther fame.
The SYO was joined by the young Norwegian musicians for the final two pieces, swelling the size of the orchestra to 53.
The trip was described as a huge success and one which would not have been possible without the many donations from individuals and companies over the last ten months.
The youth orchestra’s final concert of the season is on 20 June at Lerwick Town Hall.
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