Madam, - The recent decision by the board of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland to merge its two orchestras and to revert to its original structure was taken in the light of deeply considered research and reflection. In recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of older players and third-level music students applying for places in the senior orchestra.
This situation has run in parallel with changes and developments in music education internationally, which have presented students, not only with an increased range of performance opportunities, but also a different set of commitments.
The National Youth Orchestra of Ireland is the pinnacle of excellence of orchestral music-making for young people in Ireland. However, the numbers of willing and able participants are simply not there at present to sustain the immediate future of a separate older age-group orchestra. It would, therefore, have been irresponsible in the extreme for the board to sanction future public appearances of that group, given its present shortfall of some 40 players out of a total complement of 100 and its obligation to pursue the highest standard of excellence. This decision was taken on March 25th in the context of a commitment to keep the matter under review on an ongoing basis.
It is easy to be emotional on such issues, but the board was required to deal with the factual position, as it is currently, in the calm light of reality. The board owes this to the large number of talented young musicians who are committed to the NYOI.
The incontrovertible fact is that the numbers are not there at present to sustain two high-quality orchestras of symphonic proportions. In the light of this, the board is convinced that its decision was the right one to secure the future of a National Youth Orchestra at the level of achievement and attainment for which your correspondents are rightly concerned.
It is the intention of the board to do everything in its power to maintain and further enhance the standards of the past by a rigorous audition process, and by continuing to invite world-class international conductors to join the orchestra as guest conductors.
- Yours, etc,
JOHN DENNEHY, Chairman, On behalf of the board of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.