Evan Selected For 2020 National Youth Orchestra

We are delighted to hear that for the second year in a row, Year 12 student, Evan Metcalfe has been selected into the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) for 2020.

Evan has been playing French Horn for eight years, has achieved Trinity Grade 8 and has been a member of the Auckland Youth Orchestra for a number of years.  Two years ago, he successfully auditioned for a place in the New Zealand Secondary School Symphony Orchestra (NZSSSO) and achieved a place on the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) National Mentoring Programme, all paving a path for his recognition at National Youth Orchestra level whilst only Year 11. He was an Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) intern in 2019 and performed several concerts in the Town Hall with them. In addition he was awarded a Freemason Lodge of the Liberal Arts Award with the Auckland Youth Orchestra for his talent and contribution to the youth music scene in Auckland.

Last year, Evan was the featured soloist in the College Concert Band, winning the ‘Best Soloist’ award at the KBB Music Festival 2019. Sadly for all our musicians this year, the opportunity to perform publicly and take part in the annual KBB Festival has been thwarted by Covid-19 restrictions.

Evan will be joining his fellow NYO musicians for a week-long course in Wellington during December, to followed by concert performances premiering works by up and coming NZ composers as well as significant works from Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev.

This is a significant achievement by a very talented and hard-working student who has continued to contribute so much of his effort back to the school in ensembles and performances. Evan is working on his LTCL in French Horn this year, and looking ahead to 2022, is considering studying a conjoint Engineering/Music at tertiary level.

Well done Evan!