An Insight into the Grand Union Orchestra Summer School

You might view orchestras as something too stuffy and traditional, and certainly not the place for a modern, young musician. But the Grand Union Orchestra offers a completely different style to the one normally associated with orchestras. It is built on ideas of experimentation rather than limitation, never sticking to one genre. Instead, it is a pioneer of cross-cultural music-making in the UK.

Britain’s demographic is becoming increasingly diverse, with it estimated that one in two children in London is born into an immigrant or immigrant-descended family. Our music both reflects and celebrates this changing demographic. Tony Haynes, the composer/director of Grand Union explained in a recent interview with Music Education UK that: ‘It’s clear that migrant and migrant-descended musicians can and should have a profound artistic and educational influence on our culture. I believe they hold a key to our musical future; over the next 30 years, their contribution will prove increasingly vital in shaping the society in which future generations will grow up.’

That’s why our upcoming Summer School offers the chance to explore music from around the world, learning these music skills from our Orchestra members, who have been born and brought up in all major global music traditions. These musicians are acclaimed artists in their own right, but are also highly experienced teachers and workshop leaders.

We know and love that music is the best form of storytelling, and though our Summer School will help you hone musical technique, stories are created from emotions, not from technical prowess. That’s why our Summer School will focus on developing improvisation skills. We approach music-making creatively, and this course is the opportunity to break free of the shackles of creating genre-specific music, and instead focus on telling the stories you want to.

Attending our fifth annual summer school means exploring the music you love, learning from our brilliant Orchestra members, and you can also try your hand a new musical tradition you may not have come across before!

Happening from July 30th – August 2nd, the course is open to young musicians age 12-21, particularly those who play a non-European instrument. Full board and lodging are provided – breakfast, lunch and dinner, and accommodation in single rooms. The cost will be £240, though bursaries and a limited number of non-residential places may be available. Find out more on our website, or email Nadia Nervo at: nadia@grandunion.org.uk for further information.

We look forward to creating brilliant music with you this summer!