Masterclass

York Guildhall Orchestra are delighted to be working with the York Music Hub in giving opportunities for young players, located in and around York, to work with top professional soloists.

Young performers are invited to apply to participate - see below for more information.

Sunday, 21st May

Nicholas Wright, Concert Master of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, will be giving a violin masterclass on Sunday 21st May at The Mount School's Recital Room (Dalton Terrace, York YO24 4DD) from 2pm to 5pm.  

The masterclass is part of the York Guildhall Orchestra's partnership with the York Music Hub, and will provide the opportunity for young violinists of around Grade 5+ to receive expert advice and feedback on their performance.

Places are limited so if you wish to apply for a place, please download and complete the application form at the link below, and email it to:  info@yorkmusichub.org.uk, by Sunday 14th May

Application Form


Nicholas Wright

Concertmaster of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Wright  is a native of England. His engagements as soloist, chamber and orchestral musician have taken him to most of the major concert halls in Europe, Asia and North America.

He has performed concertos with orchestras worldwide including the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Royal Oman Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. His repertoire spans works from Handel to premieres by composers such as Kelly-Marie Murphy and Jocelyn Morlock, whose works he recently recorded for the Naxos label. He made his solo debut with the York Guildhall Orchestra playing the Dvořák Romance, which was recorded for BBC Radio 3.

His concerts and recordings have also been featured on CBC Radio (Canada) and Radio 4 (Hong Kong). As an orchestral musician, Nicholas has worked with the world's most renowned conductors including Bernard Haitink, Sir Simon Rattle, Valery Gergiev and Mstislav Rostropovich. He has performed extensively with the major chamber and symphony orchestras in London including the English Chamber and London Philharmonic Orchestras, and has appeared as guest concertmaster with orchestras such as the Bournemouth Symphony, BBC Concert and Ulster Orchestras.

In 2003, he was appointed as the youngest member of the London Symphony Orchestra where he held the first violin sub-principal position, and in addition collaborated with film composers John Williams and Alexandre Desplat. As a chamber musician Nicholas regularly takes part in series such as the Mainly Mozart Festival, Ribble Valley Festival, LSO and VSO chamber players and Vancouver's Music on Main. He has performed in venues such as LSO St Luke's and has collaborated with many renowned artists including Martin Roscoe and Simon Wright.

Prior to his appointment as concertmaster of the VSO, he was first violinist of the critically acclaimed Vancouver based Koerner Quartet.Nicholas received his training as a scholar at the Royal College of Music in London, studying with Itzhak Rashkovsky and Rodney Friend.

In addition to winning prizes at the Royal College, Nicholas has been generously supported by grants from the Martin Musical Fund, the Craxton Memorial Fund and the Royal Overseas League. This has enabled him to study with many eminent musicians including Ruggiero Ricci and Gil Shaham. Nicholas enjoys teaching and has given many masterclasses internationally. He is on the faculty of the VSO School of Music.

Nicholas plays on a violin by Stefan-Peter Greiner.