The programme included chamber music and orchestral coaching sessions at a level similar to that offered by the UK’s foremost music colleges, and culminated in a concert performance last month. The intention now is to offer more young people the opportunity to benefit from high-quality teaching and the experience of playing in a chamber orchestra environment through a new year-long scheme.

“The pilot project was a great success and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, both from students and parents. It mainly involved children from Norfolk but we would like to offer this opportunity to others in the region,” said Dr Sharon Choa, director of Performance Studies at the School of Music and conductor of Chamber Orchestra Anglia.

“We hope the academy will establish East Anglia as a critical component in the development of this country’s young musicians. Our intention is to establish a high-quality youth chamber orchestra from the best young musicians in the region to match national and international standards.” 

Coaching sessions at UEA will be led by principal musicians (string, wind, brass and percussion) from Chamber Orchestra Anglia. It is envisaged that there will be about 30 places available, auditions for which start in March. Those chosen will be able to attend an orchestral workshop in May, to be led by renowned Czech maestro Jiří Bĕlohlávek, chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Further auditions will be held in June, with the programme starting in the autumn.

The development follows the announcement last month of another project involving the School of Music and Chamber Orchestra Anglia to help children living in deprived areas of Norwich. In Harmony, which is inspired by the hugely successful Venezuelan project El Sistema, aims to encourage participation in music and provide opportunities for children and young people to grow and develop, both socially and musically. Norwich is one of only three places in the country chosen to run a pilot project, which will be led by Norwich & Norfolk Community Arts (NORCA) and the NR5 Project.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Junior Academy of Music, the auditions or cost of the programme can contact Suzanne Francis on s.francis@uea.ac.uk or 01603 618822.