Watch as residents in Netherlee are treated to a performance of Ode to Joy

Orchestra member Jamie Burton-King (17), who lives in Netherlee, helped organise the local performance.

He here explains how the idea came about:

“I have been playing the bassoon for seven years. I was awarded a place in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain this year representing East Renfrewshire, along with Anna Ghiro who lives just a few streets away from me!

“With concert halls and schools closed, we haven’t been able to meet physically as an orchestra, but our responsibility as the world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers remains, and I wanted to share with you the creative ways we are continuing our mission to bring joy and inspiration to people’s lives during lockdown, a time when they need it the most.

“On Friday, April 17, at 5pm, we called on every musician in the UK to join in a national live performance from their doorsteps, on their balconies, or out their windows, playing as a socially distanced orchestra.

“Led by us 164 NYO musicians, we invited everyone to share a heartfelt performance of the ‘Ode to Joy’, dedicated to people who need it the most – our frontline NHS staff, key workers, isolated family members, or friends struggling with loneliness.

“Throughout the week, every musician in NYO has taken part in a ‘digital residency’ meeting together in webinars and smaller creative groups, all inspired by the themes in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, and creating the resources everyone needs in order to take part.

“We decided to ask some of our talented friends and neighbours to play with us – while keeping their distance of course – I hope you enjoy the video!”

Performing in the video are, back left is Anjali (National Children’s Orchestra of GB) and her mum Naomi Pavri (Scottish Ensemble); The Ghiros – Yann (BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra), Laura (Scottish Ensemble) and Anna (NYO bassoon); then Liana Storey (RNCM first year 2020) and her mum Kanako Ito (BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra) on the wall; and Jamie Burton-King (NYO bassoon). The video is by Liz Burton-King.