NSSO Sinfonia

For musicians from approximately grade 5 to grade 7 standard, NSSO Sinfonia provides opportunities for younger players by bridging the gap between the Academy and the Philharmonic.

  • For players of approximately grade 5-7 standard, admission is by audition
  • Exploration of the symphonic and film/TV  repertoire
  • Daily individual instrumental coaching as well as sectional and full rehearsals
  • Evening entertainment during the week including party and quiz nights
  • Extensive range of social and sporting activities, includes swimming and a Malvern Hills walk
  • Full board and accommodation, all music and transport between venues is provided
  • Residential and non-residential places available

 

 

About the Orchestra

Sinfonia is the natural progression for those students graduating from the Academy before they are ready to join the Philharmonic. In this way, players can progress through the organisation at their own speed and are offered promotion at an appropriate time in their own personal musical development.

Members are typically of secondary school age (though talented younger children are not excluded), playing at approximately grade 5-7 standard. The orchestra provides an outstanding opportunity for these young musicians to play repertoire which is likely to be beyond the ability of their school or local ensembles; repertoire chosen with great care, so as to challenge but not overwhelm the players.

Please note that unfortunately this year we are unable to accept Harp players for any of our ensembles. Saxophone players will only be able to apply for the Big Band course.

 

The course takes place on the Malvern College campus and is closely modelled on the hallmark NSSO format. At the start of the course, members work with specialist instrumental coaches to help meet the technical challenges of the music, before joining together in sectional rehearsals led by our Sinfonia Heads of Section. The ensuing full orchestral rehearsals are thus carefully prepared for and very positive experiences.

Music is at the heart of the NSSO Sinfonia experience, but there is also a really strong, inclusive activities programme organised by a very experienced pastoral staff. Much of that programme is shared with members of the other orchestras and takes full advantage of the leisure and sporting facilities of the College, which are second to none.

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If you have an enquiry about any aspect of NSSO please feel free to get in touch:

NSSO, Malvern College, College Road, Malvern, WR14 3DF

T: 01684 581695

E: hello@nsso.org

Latest News

Welcome from NSSO’s new Artistic Director Nicole Wilson March 20, 2022

When Malvern College approached me to take over from the wonderful John Madden as artistic director for NSSO, I was thrilled to bits! Music courses were the highlight of my childhood. I lived from course to course with an actual count down on my wall to see how many sleeps until the next time I […]

A warm welcome from Leandro Silvera for NSSO Sinfonia members 2021 June 11, 2021

Dear NSSO Sinfonia 2021. I’m absolutely delighted that we will finally be able to meet in person this summer at Malvern College. It will be an amazing course! We have all missed playing together in orchestras (one thing that Zoom can never offer us!) so it will be a pleasure to see you all again […]

A warm welcome from Richard Dickins for NSSO Philharmonic members 2021 June 11, 2021

Hello NSSO Philharmonic members 2021. I’m thrilled that this year we can, after all, meet in person to make music at Malvern College. It will be a pleasure to see again those of you who have been on the course in previous years, and it will also be a great pleasure meeting the many new […]