Millfield Cellist offered place in the National Youth Orchestra

Millfield Upper Sixth musician Hamish Barry has been offered Winter Residency with the prestigious and highly renowned National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. He will embark on a 10-day residency between 27th December – 5th January, playing with the cello section, culminating in a performance at one of Britain’s most distinguished professional concert venues.

The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYO) aims to be the most inspirational orchestra for young people in the UK, believing in the limitless potential of Britain’s teenage musicians. If selected, these musicians are invited to attend residencies in the major school holidays, for intensive periods of rehearsing and performing together. During these courses, members are taught and led by world-class tutors and conductors such as Marin Alsop, Peter Stark and Jonathon Heyward, developing their skills as musicians.

Alongside his successful NYO audition, Hamish is currently auditioning for a place at several of the world’s top specialist music conservatoires, including the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

The eighteen-year-old from Somerset has an extraordinary love for all things music, achieving both a distinction in his Grade 8 Cello and Grade 8 Singing during his 4 years at the school. In addition to Hamish’s preparation for his Grade 8 in Drum Kit in November, Hamish is also preparing to take his Cello performance diploma this year.

Students at Millfield have full use of the purpose-built Music School, which includes the Johnson Hall, a 350-seat Concert Hall with superb acoustics and a stage large enough to host a full orchestra and choir, and a Recital Foyer. The department also has 30 rehearsal and practice spaces, four fully-equipped Mac suites, a specialist percussion room, professional standard recording studios, and an outstanding collection of instruments, including a Steinway Model D Concert Grand. Students can perform in over 70 events a year and participate in renowned music festivals and competitions including regular services and concerts at Wells Cathedral and tours across the globe. 

Hamish says, “I am extremely excited, honoured and, to be honest, quite overwhelmed at being  given the opportunity to play with such talented school-aged musicians. I know how rare these opportunities are and I want to make the most of all it offers. I want to thank Mr Hughes, Mr Cook, and my parents for all they have given me throughout my musical journey here at Millfield. Being part of the National Youth Orchestra will give me incredible training towards my goal of being a professional orchestral cellist.”

Director of Music, Matthew Cook, says, “This is testament to Hamish’s incredible dedication to his music. He is relentless in his drive to improve as a cellist and commits wholly to his musical development, practising and performing at every available opportunity. Being asked to join the National Youth Orchestra is a highly prestigious accolade that Hamish should be exceptionally proud of. He joins a long line of incredibly successful musicians who have benefitted from NYO's unrivalled training programme. All of us at Millfield are immensely proud of him!”

Find out more about music at Millfield here.