Jersey music students benefit from Berlin Philharmonic Octet expertise

Tuesday 19 May 2015

Students aged between six and 16 from the Jersey Academy of Music have taken part in a special workshop led by members of the world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic Octet.

Joining the musicians on the Opera House stage for an "open rehearsal"-style workshop, the young musicians were introduced to the members of the Octet and their instruments and were given an expert lesson on how each instrument in the group has a role to play within a piece of music and how variation within a performance gives depth to how a piece is interpreted.

During the session, the musicians also performed from Schubert’s Octet in F and taught the students about the composer’s life and approach to composition, before listening to the final movement from the piece.

The Octet were in the Channel Islands for the Islands’ celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Liberation, and also gave public concerts during their visit as part of the Guernsey Victor Hugo International Music Festival and Jersey Liberation International Music Festival. The special concerts and educational sessions in the Islands were made possible through the collaboration and support of Channel Island businesses Mourant Ozannes and Deutsche Bank

Chris George of the Jersey Academy of Music said: "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all our young musicians, which they will remember for many years to come.”

Andreas Tautscher, Chief Country Officer, Deutsche Bank Channel Islands, said: “The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom Deutsche Bank has a long-term partnership, has a first-class structured educational programme, all aimed at making its music as accessible to as many people as possible. We were delighted that we were able to help bring that philosophy to the Channel Islands and give local students a unique opportunity to explore their musical talents.”

Jonathan Speck, Mourant Ozannes' Managing Partner, Jersey, said: "As a firm that has deep roots in supporting educational projects in Jersey, we are delighted to have played a part in shaping a truly unique initiative where music students have the opportunity to benefit from the guidance of some of the best musicians in the world."