Young musicians strike a chord at music camp

Dozens of budding musicians from across the Northern Territory have picked up an instrument and headed to an orchestral camp at Charles Darwin University.

About 45 students from Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs attended the Legato Orchestral Experience, organised by the Centre for Youth and Community Music (CYCM), at Casuarina campus.

During the camp the students, aged between 10 and 17, formed the biggest youth orchestra the NT had seen in about 10 years.

Year 9 student from St Philip’s College in Alice Springs, Ugo Frediani said he joined the three-day orchestral camp to gain experience playing in big groups.

“I wanted to feel what it was like to be in a full orchestra,” Ugo said.

CYCM tutor Lois Fong said students attended rehearsals, performance workshops, and master classes by esteemed musicians, including French horn player Andrew Joy and composer Cathy Applegate.

“It has been fantastic and we have been blown away by the level of talent of these students,” Ms Fong said.

The CYCM is supported by CDU and based at Casuarina campus.