Local young musician hits high note with National Youth Orchestra selection

Seventeen year old Toby Calvert from the East Riding has secured a place in the National Youth Orchestra.

Toby joins the prestigious 160-member orchestra, bringing together remarkable young musicians from across the country.

Toby has been a part of East Riding’s Music Service for seven years, playing the trombone in the Senior Wind Band, alongside studying at South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College.

He said: “I’m delighted to be a part of such a prestigious orchestra and join together with other young people with our passion for music.

“We’re committed to taking our talent as musicians as far as it can go, and we are also committed to becoming role models for other young people. We’ll inspire teenage audiences in some of the country’s most iconic venues, take the power of orchestral music into secondary schools and lead workshops in our local primary schools.”

The National Youth Orchestra will perform live concerts in London, Coventry and Nottingham as part of the ‘Shimmer’ tour.

Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, young people and families said: “I’m really pleased that one of our young people has secured this place, amongst fierce competition from across the country.

“Through our Music Service we want to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument.  The service provides high quality music education for children and young people, in and out of school.”

Find out more about East Riding Music Service: https://eastridingmusichub.co.uk/

Find out more about the National Youth Orchestra: www.nyo.org.uk