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Junior Symphony Orchestra
On December 3rd, at the Lionel Wendt Theater, the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka will present a performance of the Junior Symphony Orchestra.
Directed by Dushyanthi Perera, and trained over many months by Dushy and other senior musicians of the SOSL including Naveen Fernando, the Leader of the SOSL Brass Section, these young musicians will perform a wide range of symphonic classical music.
Students’ ages range from 11 to 25 and they are based in and out of Colombo. We spoke to two students of the JSO, who are aged 17 & 12.
Their experience underscores the benefits of youth orchestra training, which is known to “boost self-confidence, enhance cognitive skills and foster greater self awareness, whilst the most significant gains are in communication and interpersonal skills”. Participation in orchestral training not only fine tunes musicianship and musical skills but it also teaches valuable life skills, which are essential both on stage and off the stage. The SOSL views nurturing the next generation of musicians as intrinsic to the goal of sustaining and promoting symphonic classical music in Sri Lanka, which the orchestra has successfully done through six decades of performance.
Dylan Jayasundera
Instrument: Trumpet
Age: 17
Q: What is it about classical music that you enjoy? The way the composers convey their sense of emotion through their melodies and harmonies, especially in pieces from the romantic period such as Rachmaninov’s 2nd piano concerto. Furthermore, I absolutely love the energy in certain pieces, such as Finlandia by Sibelius and, of course, one of the pieces being played by the JSO for our upcoming concert, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony in C minor (Allegro).
Q: What do you like most about playing in an orchestra?
Personally, I love the engagement with each other especially within the same instrument section while playing the music and the overall emotion present in the room when you play together with a full orchestra is unmatched by anything else I’ve experienced.
Q:What have you learnt from the training you have received from the SOSL, in particular Dushyanthi Perera, the resident conductor of the SOSL and JSO?
To start off with, Ms. Dushyanthi’s conducting style has helped me understand the art of conducting in general, as her style of conducting and advice have further helped my understanding of the fact that every movement made by any conductor carries a great effect and meaning, which overall has improved my ability to gauge what any conductor desires in the music, enabling me to change my tone, colour and dynamics to suit the conductor's preferences. In terms of the experience I have gained from playing with the SOSL, I’ve understood that listening to everything happening around you, such as the other players’ and instruments parts, is very important, as it has helped me blend in with the orchestra to make one cohesive sound rather than sticking out. Moreover, the overall experience I’ve simply gained from playing with the SOSL is incredible, as it really gives you an idea of how professional orchestras operate and the level of skill required to be a part of one, and it’s this experience for which I am ever so grateful.
Q: How have you enjoyed being a part of JSO?
I absolutely love playing for the JSO, as it’s just like a big family to me, especially the wind section. From what I’ve experienced, everyone in the JSO is so full of positivity, and it really motivates me to do my very best every time I play for rehearsals or concerts, which I really love, and I think it’s an incredible organization that enables us young musicians to experience a piece of what it’s like to play with a youth/semiprofessional orchestra.
Amasha Koblintz
Instrument: Cello
Age: 12 yrs
Q: What is it about classical music that you enjoy?
Because classical music is calm.
Q: What do you like most about playing in an orchestra?
Learning to play many more different kinds of music.
Q:What have you learnt from the training you have received from the SOSL, in particular Dushyanthi Perera, the resident conductor of the SOSL and JSO?
Teamwork, to learn from our mistakes and to listen to other players.
Q: How have you enjoyed being a part of JSO?
Making new friends.
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