FORTY talented young musicians from across the region have performed at the National Centre for Early Music in York at the culmination of a residency.

The regional youth orchestra of the internationally acclaimed Royal Northern Sinfonia, based at Sage Gateshead, travelled to York for the four-day residency, which ended with a performance on Tuesday evening.

The musicians, aged 13 -19 years old, took part in rehearsals at the University of York and also had opportunities to hear professional early music performances at the early music centre, situated off Walmgate.

The residency featured a mix of early and contemporary repertoire, including Prelude from Orfeo (Monteverdi), a new work by Frederick Viner - a University of York alumnus, Sonata for wind and brass (Schmeltzer) and Chaos from Haydn’s Creation.

Centre director Delma Tomlin said: “We very excited to be working with this vibrant ensemble of young musicians, which draws exceptional talent from across the North of England.

“What never ceases to amaze us is the dedication and commitment from these young musicians, who all strive to be the very best that they can. And in turn we are committed to delivering the very best mentoring, learning and performing environment in which they can learn and progress.”

Ed Milner, head of learning at Sage Gateshead, said: “We are really excited to be working with the National Centre for Early Music once again, this time with our youth ensemble Young Sinfonia.”

He said that working with ‘the wonderful’ Tim Smedley and Jennifer Cohen, and with Justin Doyle at the helm, it was a fantastic evening of music.